Week 5 day 1 in the bag: This is a major... - Couch to 5K

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Week 5 day 1 in the bag

8 Replies

This is a major achievement for me. Running feels good. This week feels doable. I’m proud I’ve made it this far. I’m taking One day at a time. I’ve noticed two things: 1 I’m eating my body weight in food now. Once I open that seal called my mouth, I can’t stop eating. Especially chocolate. Is this normal?

2. Rest days are quite deflated. Missing running. Is this normal?

Grateful for any advice. What works for you?

8 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Well done.

There is no reason to eat more because you are doing C25k and eating your body weight in chocolate is unlikely to be good for you.

When you feel hungry try drinking a glass of water.

Rest days are from running but your physical development will benefit from doing non impact exercise on those rest days. Walking, cycling, swimming, Pilates, yoga etc will strengthen your body and may even provide some of the same stimulation of your endogenous morphine and cannabinoid receptors as running does.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate

Congratulations on your week 5 run! That must feel great.

I do different exercise on running rest days. I walk every day regardless of the weather. That’s a great thing I started through the lockdowns and it always lifts my spirits. I also do a fair bit of strength/flexibility type stuff with hiit and Pilates. Occasional swim. It’s really good to mix it up.

Is the eating thing because you’re genuinely more hungry or is it that you’re thinking you can eat more because of the running? It’s quite easy to accidentally put on some unwanted pounds and then quite hard to lose them again! Yes, I’m speaking from bitter personal experience!! Planning what I’m eating, including snacks, really helps me not to over indulge too much.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

Well done, oh eating more, hopefully with following others advice and time that will level out

Returnagain profile image
ReturnagainGraduate

Well done and wk5 is definitely doable. Trust the plan and take it slowly. Good luck.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

You really shouldn't need to be eating more. Your typical C25K run requires the energy equivalent of maybe three or four biscuits.

Were you eating enough before?

in reply to nowster

Not before running as it makes me nauseous but I had a fuller breakfast this morning and that worked. Just finished a substantial lunch. Higher protein intake helps. Thanks for your advice.

BrokeyNotSoBusted profile image
BrokeyNotSoBustedGraduate

Firstly, well done on the run and how far you've come.

The eating thing... Interesting one. Have a think about what you were eating before the programme and compare with now. Maybe it's not as much as you think and mightn't have eaten as much to begin with. I found that I'm not snacking as much but grabbing a drink more often. I'm more a crisp person than chocolate tho I found in week 4 I went through a chocolate phase for a few days which is out of character. Dunno if it was a subconscious need to get some sugar into my system or just that seeing so many Easter eggs finally pushed me over that edge 😂

For rest days I try to get out for a walk (or a couple of shorter walks at different times of the day). Rest days are a good time to read up on some advice especially around stretching and gives more time to dedicate to those stretches and massaging any aches out. I did dig my old rusty bike out of the shed at one point but I was saddle sore for almost a week and threw it back in there. (Getting padded shorts for the next time I try that) 😂

Thanks yes. I agree. Too many Easter eggs hanging about the cupboard. I ate a fuller breakfast this morning after my run and now eating lunch having made it without any snacks. I’ve had a wholesome lunch . Hopefully will keep me going. Taking more protein seems to help. Thanks for your advice. Very useful.

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