Hello everyone.

[Wiliphilkinskin]

Hoping to complete the Couch to 5k plan and then bridge to 10k. The all to usual issues: high BP, over-weight, stress and anxiety...and all came along after stoping regular exercise. Here goes!!! Wishing you all a great start to the new year.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

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.

[Wiliphilkinskin in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

You've made a cracking decision well done, stick with it 💪👍

[Lookslikejames Graduate]

This programme is brilliant, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! Let us know how you get on

[Blondefox Graduate]

Welcome and good luck! A recurring theme is "don't try to run too fast too early!" Slow is good to build your stamina, and not to have a heart attack! I still only 'jog' slowly for my weekly winter run, but I am so much fitter than when I started in August, and my mental health was an unexpected benefit from the programme. First week is the hardest as it is a shock to the system, anything after is easier, and hopefully you will have the running bug by week 2! Keep us posted and we'll cheer you on😀

[Wiliphilkinskin in reply to Blondefox]

Thank you for the tips.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi Wiliphilkinskin , welcome to the forum...you’re definitely having a great start to the year...happy running 😉👏🏻

[shuffleido Graduate]

Good Luck, the forum is brilliant for help and support. I wouldn't have completed it without this forum.

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

This programme has so many benefits, can't recommend it enough. I'm still overweight and have BP issues but a lot of that is diet related, something I need to sort out. However my mental health is a million times better! My whole outlook on life has changed 😁 Also I'm running between 5 and 12k 3 or 4 times a week so am fitter than I've ever been. Only been doing this few months really so it doesn't take long to build up stamina/pace/fitness 👍🏻 have a look at some of my older posts to see how far I've come 🤣 I surprised myself as could never run!

Stick to the programme and these boards are full of amazing helpful people if you need advice/encouragement.

[Wiliphilkinskin in reply to Jericho2332]

Fantastic and well done. Thanks for the help and encouragement.

[IndieRunner Graduate]

Hi, I hope you get as much out of this as I do. I am on week 4 and I am so glad I started this. Each week I am excited to see what is in store for the next run. Sometimes there have been points I think I cannot do it, but so far I have kept going and felt great about myself. I find I love getting out there three days a week away from everything else. Good luck, let us know how you get on 🙂