Scared .....

[Littelitte62]

Just about to commence my journey feeling anxious and scared. Many medical conditions to overcome incl obesity but I need to do this!

[Hidden]

Don't be anxious or scared we all start at the beginning, we all end at week 9 make it fit around you Littelitte62 it's not a race don't make it one! Slow steady, rest is important and if in doubt ask the forum users for advice 👍

[Littelitte62 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I’ve not run since school and I was pretty bad at it then!

[Hidden in reply to Littelitte62]

Schools out now, it's more fun without the teachers 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done

on your decision.

C25k is structured so that you cannot fail, unless you just give up trying.........take it at your own pace and repeat as much as you need.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

You may benefit from following the link in the guide to the post about mental approach.

This plan transforms lives, so relax and enjoy your journey.

[Littelitte62 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Slow and steady ... I want to and need to do this.. 😁

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Littelitte62]

You will........

[Buddhagal Graduate]

Well done you👍👍😁. Yep...it does feel scary at times...that's often usual when we start something new...speaking from experience here!! There is fantastic support and advice here, from all level of runners... You've made a gigantic leap. Take all the advice you can... And pat yourself on the back. Starting is the scariest part, believe me...oh and don't be hard on yourself...it's a challenge...that's what many of us need. 🙋🙋🙋

[Roxdog Graduate]

Scariness can change into excitement! Anything new can feel like a leap into the unknown, but you really will be able to do this. So many people here have started after being lifelong non-runners, all ages, all shapes and sizes. Slow and steady is the way forward. Good luck and post on the forum whenever you want to!

[nowster Graduate]

It can look scary if you look ahead. Don't look beyond the run you're about to do.

Well done in deciding to get off the couch.

Don't worry if the first time feels hard. It did for most of us too. Slow and steady. There's no race going on. It's just you, your legs and a stopwatch.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Don't be scared, just go slowly and have confidence in yourself and the C25K programme. You can do this. Happy running!

[Bogshuffler Graduate]

Well done for making the big decision. Hear this! This program is amazing! It works and the support on this forum really helps to get you there. All you need is determination and luck. You can really help the licj bit ( i.e. not getting injuries) by getting yourself some decent running shoes. The best way to do that is by going to a reputable sports shop and having a free gait analysis done. The money you spend on the shoes also helps with the determination bit.

3 months ago I was in your position. Obese, high blood pressure, arthritic and pre- diabetic. I am now fit, near ideal weight and regularly running 5 to 7 km.

So you can do this and I reckon that before you know it you will enjoy doing it.

All the best

[Run4Hills Graduate in reply to Bogshuffler]

Blimey! Well done you! You really went for it.

[Littelitte62]

Thank you everyone 😁

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Go you! You can do this! It might not be easy, but I promise you it will be worth it. 👊

[Hidden]

I’m 64 years of age and have started this week. I’m trying to find a quiet route so I don’t have people sniggering as I jog past and my breathing coming out as huge gasps 😆 I’m going to persevere and I will be amazed when I reach week 9. I hope I can be part of your journey too

[Legsache Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I’m 60+ very much obese. Legs like tree trunks!

It hurt the first three weeks! I mean really hurt!

But, doing nothing was worse. Don’t put off...just do it..walk outside...jog a little (slowly)

You can and will do this. And yes, fab advice on here. The forum has kept me going Thank you!

Have fun

[Littelitte62 in reply to Hidden]

Good luck 😉

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

You’ve already taken your first brave step in making the decision to start your C25k journey, it’s a great programme and there’s loads of help and support on this forum for you. Here’s a saying I like, which I think might help:

Fear came knocking, courage answered the door....and there was no one there.

Be determined and disciplined, take the advice from the great people on here and you’ll be fine.....the very best of luck, we’re all behind you 👍

[LottieMW Graduate]

Well done for deciding to do this!

Some tips:

Read *all* the suggested admin posts...

Walk or do some strength & flex on the rest/recovery days...see the forum:

healthunlocked.com/strength...

GO SLOW...it’s *not* a race...see Japanese Slow Jogging:

m.youtube.com/watch?ebc=ANy...

You *can* do this...I did! Started the day after my 65th birthday and graduated 3weeks ago 😊

Use this forum as a diary, it’s fab to look back at the early weeks and see how far you’ve come, plus you’ll have all of us cheering you on!

Remember too:

Each session prepares you for the next...

There’s no such thing as a failed run...it’s an extra training day...some of us need more training days than others 😄

Go do it! 👊

[Littelitte62 in reply to LottieMW]

👍🙏🏻

[Manicstreet]

The hardest step is deciding to do it so well done in that.I was very nervous about it myself but after a while you will begin to love it ( honest)😀

[David_G]

Hi, there’s no need to be scared! Just follow the program, take things at your own pace and you’ll be fine.

You’ve already taken a great step by deciding to do this. You’ll find lots of support and encouragement on here, so don’t be afraid to post whenever you need to.

We’ve all been there, believe me, and the vast majority of us won’t have run since school either.

Good luck with your journey!

[Peter44 Graduate]

You've got this, you'll hear that quite alot, and in a few weeks, you'll be so glad, you started this journey, like everyone has said, just go slowly, you'll get loads of help, on the forum, just positive advise, from people who want you to succeed, and most of us, were in the same position, at the start, i know i was, good luck!!! 😀

[SJ60]

You can do it! I’m overweight (obese actually😱) with dodgy knees and ankles and I did it....slowly and never peeking at what the next run would be. I found some gremlins along the way but with great support on here I managed to beat them into submission. Not permanently but long enough to get the job done. Several months on from graduation I’m enjoying longer but still very slow runs. I reckon if I’m enjoying it then speed and distance don’t really matter. Just get out there and see where it takes you. I never ever thought I could run for 60 seconds let alone almost 60 minutes! Good luck on your journey to running 🥰