Creeping into obesity

High cholesterol, high triglycerides, drink too much, creeping into obesity, can’t stand exercise!

[nowster Graduate]

Your username has just reminded me of Don Maclean and Peter Glaze on Crackerjack.

Are you thinking about starting Couch to 5K?

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

Lol! My username is nicked from Alan Carr and Little Britain, always made me laugh. I’ve downloaded the Couch to 5k and that’s as far as I’ve got so far. How are you getting on?

[nowster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I started (weakly) this time last year, the day after Mr Johnson announced the first lockdown. I properly started in late June, completed the course at the end of August.

Had an injury, spent nearly a month recovering, then built back up to 30 minutes then 5km in mid November.

Three Sundays ago I ran 10 miles non stop and intend to repeat that this Sunday.

And I'd be surprised if Alan Carr didn't get that from Crackerjack, who probably got it from this song:

youtube.com/watch?v=odVcaL8...(Not working as expected?)

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

If you want to start C25K, well done, however, I would advise you to go for long walks, say 60 minutes before you start running with the app, also do a few exercises as well although you say you don't like exercise, when you do start C25K, take all the runs slowly, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish to, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, no running on consecutive days as that could cause a injury, good luck.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

You only hate exercise because it’s hard. It’ll get easier as you get better and you’ll get addicted 🤣 In 18 months you could be running a marathon. Fact.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Strange how it draws you in! "I just did X. I wonder if I can do Y. Z looks impossible, though." And so you ratchet up the distances.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on.........hating exercise.........you have to change that mindset, or it just won't work.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.

[Badrun Graduate]

Do it ! I hated running and am almost finished and now love it. What’s the worst that can happen if you get out there ? If it’s not for you after three or four weeks try something else .

[mrrun Graduate]

The only question is whether you want to change your lifestyle or not. Whatever you decide is fine for as long as you're cool with it. Can't stand exercise/hate exercise? Simple. Don't do it then.

[Mittymoo Graduate]

Love how open you have been. Exercise covers a huge terrain. Is there any kind you don’t hate or find more pleasurable? Could this be incorporated in some way? Best of luck

[Apprentice1932]

How refreshing , I'm the same! I'm a C25k graduate but have let it lapse in winter. I need to get back to exercise as it has a big knock on positive impact. But I have to say often during exercise I feel very grumpy !

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Do it! You’re here, so obviously thinking about it. Don’t make my mistake: when they said run I ran rather than jogged. Exhausting and unnecessary. I also didn’t own trainers of any description so did it in my walking boots and cut off jeans, coz I ‘knew’ I wouldn’t stick to it and didn’t want to spend money. I got a knee injury half way through. By then I was hooked and bought trainers. Then I had to justify the expense by finishing the program.😁 (Didn’t buy any Lycra though til I got up to 10km). It’s the opposite of drinking. You feel terrible while you’re doing it, but great afterwards. Then you forget it was hard and go and do it again coz it makes you feel good.

I found the first 60 second run was literally the hardest. The next one was a bit easier, the 3rd 60 seconds even easier. Fitness builds up really quickly. It’s surprising.

Give it a go, and let us know how you get on.

[Hidden in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I like the ‘it’s the opposite of drinking’ analogy! That’s going to be my new catchphrase!

[nowster Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I like that reverse hangover analogy. 🍻

[JetsNanna Graduate]

I’d listen to AlMorr - try regular walks for a while first. Maybe for a few weeks just so that you’re used to moving. Then give it a go - what’s the worst thing that can happen. If the first run is a shocker you’ll be in good company because we ALL find/found the first weeks very hard but then it gets gradually more addictive and easier. BaddieThePirate is right too and it can be the hardest runs that give you the very best feeling afterwards.Keep posting so we know how you’ve got on 😊

[nowster Graduate]

Another vote for AlMorr 's suggestion of walking first. A couple of weeks of regular brisk walking will prepare you for the unfamiliar new exercise thing. I've suggested it to others in the past who couldn't do those first short runs, and it seems to have worked for them.

[FreedomToRun Graduate]

I hate exercise but love running! Its about freedom, space, fun, time to think, non competitive. I never think about it as exercise

[Hidden]

Yup, that was me a couple of months ago!

Couldn't stand exercise either - too hard. Well, it turns out it's supposed to be hard - that's how it's good for you. But it gets a lot, lot easier when done properly (stick to the program, follow the advice, etc). Then it becomes really satisfying as you set, work towards and achieve targets.

Cheers,

Pete

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

Perhaps a bit of bling for motivation 🏅. Try signing up to walk / run the English Channel with Conqueror or for 25k with Race at your Pace. Both reward you with a fancy medal when you reach your target. This Girl Runs and This Girl Walks reward you with lovely t shirts when you finish ( it’s magenta this month 😊) and have a really supportive Facebook group too. Or sign up to raise money for a charity that is close to your heart. Most have walking / running challenges going at the moment. I’m currently walking a mile a day for Strides against Stress which supports people with mental health issues. It’s just something to motivate you. It may help. Good luck. Getting started is hard 🤗

[Ktkinns]

I find walking while listening to something interesti9ng, especially an audiobook makes it much more interesting, I agree walking is best start as less load on system but superb exercise to get metabolism moving without injury etc. comfy shoes and you're off x

[Joggingonthewildside Graduate]

I started doing long walks last April and then needed another goal so restarted C25K in January.. finished that and am now working towards 10k .. I don’t like exercise but have got the bug ..having said that, pulled a calf muscle this morning trying out Japanese Slow Running 🏃‍♀️.. should have stuck with what was working for me... give it a go .. what have you got to lose ? It’s definitely helped lower my blood pressure as a good side effect.

[GoldenGirly Graduate]

Hi FBB!I saw your post then life got busy but was thinking about you so found your post again!

Last August my BMI was 40.4 (obese) and my 18 year old daughter said to me, mum I don’t want you to die.

Persuaded by a friend, I started C25K. It took me 29 weeks to complete because I was so overweight and unfit but the change in my life is incredible. Since August last year I have lost 43.5lbs and my BMI is down to 32.2. I’m still obese but 12.2lbs away from getting out of there!

Like you, drinking was an issue. I switched from wine (unless with a meal) to vodka and a diet mixer and it’s changed my life. I concentrated more on preparing healthy food instead of buying pre bought and got the family involved helping create dishes we can all enjoy.

All I can say is I highly recommend the plan. You may not complete it in 9 weeks (not many do) but it doesn’t matter. I repeated and repeated weeks until I felt fit enough to move on.

You can absolutely do it and it is so so so worth it! Give it a go! Good luck! Xxx