Hi everyone, I am fifty, fat and female! I am addicted to sugar (did you know sugar is more addictive than cocaine 🙀) and really need to kick this unhealthy eating ! I’ve decided to start the c25k New Year’s Day. Feeling apprehensive is an understatement! My thighs wobble when I walk so dressing up in Lycra is filling me with absolute dread! I live in a village and worried about what people will think if they see me pounding the pavement dressed like this. Weight loss is a motivator but just getting out into the fresh air is another factor. I am now permanently working from home (like many others) do not see anyone (but my husband) and rarely get out of the house. So wanting to feel better so I am hoping this will help. Wish me look! I’ll report back when 1st run is done! Happy running !
Gonna give it a go!: Hi everyone, I am fifty... - Couch to 5K
Gonna give it a go!
Love it, you go for it 👍🏻 I’m on w8 and honestly it is well worth it. I started in the dark with my torch so no one could see me
Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.
Why the wait?
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.
Enjoy your journey.
Wishing you luck, read the guide and post your runs so we can cheer you on
Solidarity from another 50+ female. What I’ve experienced is that your first few runs you feel self conscious but after a while you just don’t even notice other people and tbh if people are looking they are more than likely feeling a bit envious that they don’t run! Go for it and believe in the programme - I’m on my last run of week 9 and can’t believe the progress that I have made in 9 weeks - you will be the same - I promise! Best of luck and keep using this forum - it’s been a great source of inspiration
Good luck ☘️☘️☘️ with your 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️.Try & have a read of this if you can.... especially the bit about running slow. Keep us posted. 👍👍
Fabh Well done for starting C25K, I started almost four months ago and could hardly run for a minute, I continued and now I can run for 30 minutes non stop and feel a lot better for it. You'll get plenty of advice and support here on your journey and take a look at the post below on how to get started. Good Luck.
I'm 56 and never run before. I also live in a village where people know me. I wore Leggings and a baggy long t-shirt (and still do). Be proud of yourself. People will admire you for getting off the couch and will probably be a little jealous too. Good luck 🍀x
With regards to clothing, just wear what's comfortable for you. Lycra is optional. The current cold weather gives you many excuses for wearing what you like.
Also, don't wait for New Year's Day. Why not start tomorrow?
Thank you everyone for your kind words of encouragement! I am gonna do it tomorrow!! I’ll report back and let me know how I get on! I’ve got sunglasses and a baseball cap, so hopefully I’ll go unnoticed! 🤣
Good luck, follow the programme, keep it slow, like others have said, people wont judge you, probably be envious your out there, be prepared for a few tough runs, early on, but you'll be so glad you started, and will be hooked! 🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️
Right behind you Fabh we won't doubt you, so we want you to believe you can do this 💪 we're watching and willing you on 👍
I was 56, unfit and overweight when I started in July. I was self conscious but as time has gone on I have become far less so. In fact I’d go as far as to say that I couldn’t give a monkeys what I look like when I run - the important thing is the running. Hold your head high and be proud that you are taking steps to improve your fitness. No one will judge and no one should judge - you are taking charge and that is brilliant! Keep us posted 😊
You will get bored hearing this soon but I will start: TAKE IT SLOWLY. The aim is to get you to jogging 30 minutes non stop. Most people don't get to 5K by the end. My average for 30 minutes is still only just over 3.5K. I started at the beginning of September. I repeated two weeks. I graduated at the end of November. I now do 3 runs a week and my longer run is now 40 minutes. In two weeks time I hope to do a 45 minute run and should be able to get over 5K then. I never thought I would get to this stage but the programme does work (as does the post graduation advice).Week 1 can be hard, but well worth it.
Trust the programme, but more important, trust yourself.
As someone has said you don't have to go for lycra. I often wear jogging bottoms, especially when it's cold, and feel very comfortable. Just follow the programme, especially the 5 minute walks at the beginning and end of each session, and enjoy your progress. I also struggled with the 60 seconds of running in week 1 but was surprised at how the weeks then ticked along. Well done for starting, those neighbours will envy you and that sugar habit, well, watch it decrease!
You’ve got this! 💪 I know what you mean about sugar...I actually quit sugar and sweeteners at the same time I started C25K. I also know what you mean about the dread of others seeing you, it meant I exclusively did my runs under the cover of darkness. However, I do truly believe nobody gives a flying hoot what you look like!
You will absolutely fly through this programme, my only advice is that speed can come once you’ve graduated. See you on the other side! 😊
You’ve made the right decision. Stick to this forum too: it’ll see you through.
Go for it Fabh - I know exactly how you feel but I can say that after starting off my journey on a treadmill (because I was worried about being seen outside) and then switching to running outdoors, I love being outdoors. The fresh air, the countryside and yes the people you see. I no longer give a *** what others think and when I did recently bump into a very sporty type neighbour (which I had previously dreaded happening) - she stopped me to say she was so impressed and wished she could run for more than 2K. Also It’s brilliant for my mental wellbeing as I too am stuck working from home and don’t see anyone other than partner most days. Just go for it, stick to the programme and run slowly. 🏃♀️👍🏻
Hey there Fabh! Sounds to me like you've got the motivation to get started, go you! And don't worry, you don't have to wear lycra, as long as you're comfy😁 my top tip, go super slowly, and pop back on here to tell us how you're getting on.......I too remember feeling very self conscious, then someone said, people are either not even noticing you, or mentally giving you a high five for getting out there! Remember, slooooowly.....😁
Well done you for getting as far as even thinking about doing the program. It really is suitable for everyone. Just take it really slowly. Don't worry about what other people think. It's nothing to do with them. Doing this will make you feel great and sometimes frustrated. Don't worry about repeating runs either. Do them as many times as you like til you feel comfortable with it. I think slow it the secret and by the end of it you will have a big smile on your face and feel so proud of your achievement. Keep posting on here. The advice and encouragement you'll get from everyone is great. Good luck 👍
Yes!!! You can do this! Don't worry if you find it reeealllyyy hard at the start, that's normal and you can DO IT. Just keep on keeping on.
Embrace it, and you won't regret it! 😁
Go for it! I completed the programme in late September but have taken a step back from running but I'm likely to start again, as I need Laura back in my life! You really won't care what people think once you get going . Just feel proud that you are going for it .! Also if you miss a run , it's not the end of the world , don't self sabotage , just pick it up again when you are ready . I'm with you regarding sugar , I'm still working on it . Let me know if have any top tips . Lots of luck,
Maggie
Go for it!!! Don’t worry what you look like, just make sure your feet are comfortable and you have a good bra!! I’m 66, overweight (although not as much as I was) , I’ve never run before and I graduated a couple of months ago. I still can’t quite get to 5K in 30 mins but I consider myself to be a runner.
Good luck. Enjoy yourself.
Bloody brilliant! Good for you and the best of luck. 👍
I didn't find this forum until I was at week 3 of C25K back in September - and I realised I was struggling because I was just going TOO FAST. SLOW and even SLOWER is just the best advice on here - I just completed 5k in 45 mins and couldn't run the 60 seconds to start with!! - PLUS, I was in SOOOOO much admiration of seeing very large guys and gals running the same route that I was walking that they inspired me totally to start running myself - I was truly in awe of them - so get going and you'll inspire others too!- looking forward to your posts.
Go you!! This is a great New Year's present to give yourself. You will find unending support on this forum and a wealth of advice. Just go REALLY slowly - you can always repeat a run if you want to or don't feel ready for the next week. I took longer as work & travel got in the way. Making changes to your diet at the same time will help. Get rid of obvious sugary snacks and be aware that sugar is high in white carbs like pasta, rice, bread, potatoes. Swap them for brown, halve the portion and up the green carbs - veg & fruit. Make sure you have some healthy snacks lined up post run too. Michael Moseley's books are brilliant at explaining all this and his advice works.
Good luck. We're with you 🙂
I’m 15 stone and felt the same way - but I just smile and wave to all! Got a nice Ron Hill wind proof jacket in size 18 that pretty well covers my bum and I’m less self conscious now in week 6. No weight loss (maybe I’m still eating too much!!), but feeling better and loving the program. Go for it and good luck 😉 x
You may have no weight loss but I bet you are more toned. Think about an item of clothing that was an okay fit before you started running and try it on - does it feel better than okay? I’m guessing that it will 😊
REALLY WELL DONE for making that choice! You will find it makes such a difference to your world. Wear joggers to start with if you feel you need to, Lyra will come later. No one will laugh at you, you are amazing!
Woohoo😁go for it! You can do this! Go slow believe you can do it and don’t worry about other people.
Keep checking in here and most of all enjoy x
Hi there, I am 53, 4 stone overweight & have arthritic knees & I have just finished week 7 of C25k. You can do this, and if you can cut down on the sugar just a little bit, you will also loose weight. I didn’t want to run through my village at the beginning either, as everything bounced up & down & I was so embarrassed, but it only took a couple of runs and I didn’t care. The best advice is just take it really slowly to build up your strength & stamina...... I found Michael Johnson the best voice to go for on the app I used as he is very inspirational. Good luck & let us know how you got on..... soon you will be fifty & fabulous 😀
Good for you! Don't worry about people looking at you - they're all thinking about themselves far too much to notice you. I live in a village, too, and nobody gives me a second glance. The whole place is chock full of runners - everyone's doing it - so give yourself a huge pat on the back. By the way, I'm 64 and did C25k in the requisite nine weeks and can now run three miles or so at a go. Never would have believed it possible. When I say 'run' I mean 'trot' but I go at my own pace and get the job done.
Go girl! I've been in your position and just starting it is nerve racking but after that first step you will feel a million dollars and it will be fantastic - I'm hitting my 55th in the New Year and will be making that the year for me to sort myself out as I'm now the heaviest I've ever been (6stone too heavy) but intend to get 3 off by May with Dr Molesy's way of eating and starting back to the c25k (this time last year I was training for London's Winter 10k and was at this stage running 7k so YOU can do it and feel wonderful about YOU - and how you will laugh at yourself - before you know it others will be asking you for your opinions etc.Good luck - anyone who looks at you is really wishing they had your confidence to do what you're doing - so just do it 😀
I felt a bit self conscious when I first started and thought ‘I wonder what I look like’, but that soon goes. You will probably see different shape and size of people out. Just go for it, go slowly, enjoy being outside, if you need to repeat weeks do so!!You don’t need to be in Lycra. It’s better you feel comfortable in your clothing x x
I promise you that getting out of the house for your first run is actually the hardest thing about this programme. Once you have done that the rest is easy!!! (OK... not quite, but you know what I mean).
And as others have said, don't worry about other people. Most are too busy with whatever they are doing to notice you. Those that do are either runners, who will appreciate your effort, or non-runners who will applaud your determination. Either way... you are doing this for you and nobody else.
Thank you to all you lovely people and fabulous words of encouragement! I bit the bullet this morning and when I had wrestled 20 minutes trying to Hoyk myself into my sports bra (which is now 3 sizes too small!!) I completed my first run in the snow! I took it slow and steady and I am proud to say I got through it without throwing up or collapsing 🤣! It was lovely to be outside in the fresh air, although I think I over did it with the clothing!! I was a hot sweaty mess on my return, I didn’t tell my husband I was going for a run. When I got back he thought I was still upstairs and didn’t notice I had gone! He was very shocked to see that I had actually gone out of the house unaccompanied 🤣! I am hoping this is going to be good for my mental health, as I can see it sliding in the ring direction. I triply felt elated once I completed it, so I am going to go again on Thursday, so I’ll keep you posted about the run and about the bra situation! 🤪
I'm so pleased for you. Keep going, if I can do it anyone can. I started at 56 in June never having run before. Struggled to run 60 seconds. 6 months later I have run a couple of 10ks. I think you have experienced the "runners high" now. X
Hahaha brilliant post.. the admin is a bit stuffy on here I found, I got finger wagged 😳 but you are very amusing, you’ll be my run buddy even if you don’t want to 😜
The admin team do a great job keeping this forum a safe friendly place. They offer support and advice and have a wealth of experience. I think the advice you got was to only move through the programme once each element was completed, fair enough really as each completed run prepares you for the next one.Great that you are here doing this, I hope you continue to enjoy the programme.
You can do this and well done taking up the challenge. Whatever you may think you look like just remember you are out there doing it. It is so worth it and weight loss is a bonus 😃
Welcome. You’ve got this. I started C25K in august and have graduated and just completed my second 10K, and I am 5.5 stone overweight 😬. I lost 10lbs initially and have toned but my size has not stopped me gaining in fitness and reaching my goals. I was initially self conscious (wear Capri joggers, no lycra) I've often been met in my village by words of “keep going, you can do it” if someone says anything. I last ran after Boxing Day and passed more walkers than ever, as others have said I got looks of “I should or wish I could do that” never felt judged and ironically now I don’t care lol. Ps I also run in a running cap and jacket as my disguise 🙈😉well my boss lives the other side of the village, he’s never seen me run yet lol 🤞but if he did I’d keep running now 🏃🏽♀️🎉🤗 Enjoy
I think you are amazing you keep going what an inspiration 🙂
Thank you 🤗
I thought I wrote this post🤗 I started just before Christmas started walking it first for the first week then started following the programme, I am on week 3 now still have a long way to go not looking at weight just fitness first good luck you can do this
Ok, I’m male but otherthan that I was technically obese and in my early 50’s when I started in May and very self conscious. I ran the first few weeks in combat trousers so no one could see my legs. It was only the hot spring that cooked me out of them. You’ll quickly realise that no one cares, and I’m sure that running renders you invisible to most people!
I noticed that after a few weeks of running my eating habits changed and I no longer craved unhealthy stuff, this wasn’t a conscious thing it just happened, and I’m no longer obese, just merely overweight 😂.
Speaking to females I know that run, invest in a good support bra, it’s probably been mentioned in one of the above posts anyway.
Also make sure you run slowly and then slow down a bit, the first week is the hardest as your body gets used to the new demands you put on it, don’t be put off by this as it strangely gets easier as you progress and your fitness builds.
Oh a final warning, it gets more addictive than that sugar you mentioned!
I look forward to reading about your runs and progress.
Just keep ticking them off, I started in June, I had started slimming world last January, and lost 3 stone before I even dared to run, I got to target weight in August (lost 5 stone in total) I graduated couch to 5k early August too, I'd recommend doing something like Pilates to tone and strengthen, I'd also recommend slimming world, I eat so much now it's the first diet that I don't feel restricted on and therefore it's a change for life, the whole family has benefited from my running, it's even spurred my partner on to run more than once a week, I now run 3 times a week, a 3k, a 5k and a 10k, I ran 5k Christmas Eve and 7k on Boxing Day a first for me!!!
Wow! You are amazing to have achieved all that this year ...and it looks like you have a little one keeping you busy too. Well done!
I'm not sure how I achieved it, I just kept consistent and ticking off the weeks and slowly I got there, I'm 45 so no spring chicken and yes I've got 2 youngsters who keep me busy, when I first started I didn't want to tell anyone I was doing it, so I took the pushchair and my 5 year old on a scooter and to be honest the pushchair propped me up the first few weeks, I was actually scared to leave them at home once I got to week 4 and actually admitted what I was doing😂
According to a healthy eating article we are supposed to have a maximum of 30g of sugar a day. I drink a lot of tea with 2 sugars so I was in trouble. Now I measure 30g of sugar into a small plastic container and restrict my sugar in take. I have been doing this for over a month now an d have found no difference. ☹️ Don't feel embarrassed to jog in public you will get more admiration than mockery, and most wished they had the courage to do the same.
The glory of success is much greater than the pain of effort. Good Luck!
Hi everyone! Well... I did it!! W1r2!! After starting my 1st run, a man in a white van passed me, and shouted “keep going tubby!” I retaliated in giving him the victory sign! How very dare him! I nearly turned round and went back home, but I didn’t! I carried on regardless. I was so angry that I had finished my run by the time I had calmed down 🤣! This has given me the incentive I needed to loose the weight and graduate. This time next year... ! 🤣🤣🤣 although I must say I think gaffer tape and big knickers should have been the order of the day! Being of a certain age let’s say my pelvic floor isn’t what it was! My sports bra does absolutely nothing for me either! I need the gaffer tape to tape everything down 🙀 I seriously need to invest in a new pair of trainers as well. My HiTec trainers from 1977 are real not cutting the mustard. Any advice you lovely people about where to go? Next Run Saturday! I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime have a happy, healthy and safe new year !!🥂🍾
Well done Fabh, especially for not turning back, and for giving that mean driver a 2 fingered salute! 🤣. I did the same recently although it was just the one finger (less energy for future reference). Anyway, pleased you completed your first run, here’s to many more. 👏🏼🏃♂️🎉
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