building up the courage….

I really want to start C25K but I’m majorly overweight and I’m really nervous. I normally get up at 0530 for work, so I’m thinking about getting up an hour earlier so nobody sees me! Anyone else feel my pain? Anyone in my position started it?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

Absolutely loads of people have been in your position and gone on to transform their lives by following C25k.

We recommend that you can comfortably walk briskly for thirty minutes as a guide to whether you are ready for the plan.

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.

Keep posting.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you so much. I can’t definitely do the walking part. To be honest I just need to get over my fear of people seeing me. I think the psychological barrier is far greater than the physical one!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Hidden]

Read the guide and you will realise that your fears are experienced by nearly everybody starting to run.

Most people will not even notice you and those who do will nearly always have admiration for you.

After a few sessions your self esteem will be overflowing and you really won't care what anyone else thinks.

This plan can change your life.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Welcome !And well done on deciding to start .

Lots of people have these same fears at first .

Please read the guide that was linked to by IannodaTruffe

It's full of really helpful information.

Once you have been out of the door and completed that first run you will feel so proud of yourself !

And very soon you will not care if people see you or not .

And even when they do , you will realise they are not really interested , they have their own lives to think about .

Go on, give it a go , you'll be glad you did 😁

[Rennur Graduate]

What is majorly overweight? I am about 40 pounds overweight but have managed 10 miles twice.Don't worry about what other people think. Half of them are just jealous of your efforts.

[Rennur Graduate]

I might be quicker if I lost that weight though!

[LordOberon Graduate]

I think most of us started this programme not wanting anyone else to see us & our struggles. Do what makes you feel comfortable. You can start that bit earlier to start with and then, as your confidence grows, you'll realise that people don't really notice or if they do, it's moreso about wishing they were doing something similar. At least I do that every time I see someone running or cycling. 😄. Good luck.

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Hi, you are definitely not alone in not wanting people to see you, a lot Of us start off wearing all black and going out at crazy early or late times to avoid being ‘seen’ but very quickly come to realise that nobody else cares and then we gain in confidence through the program treating ourselves to some funky and bright coloured running garb.I would say before you start the program to try and get out for a walk 3 times a week, I did this the second attempt at ct5k and I really noticed a difference and it felt easier once I started it.

You won’t regret it, it’ll be the best thing you do and all of us on here will be there to keep you going. Ask any questions and you’ll find people want to help 😊

[Legsache Graduate]

Hi my lovely.A little history....

I’m 63, 3/4 stones over weight.

Never run since school and even then it was slow!

Hated the thought of it.

Started c25k two years ago, completed, stopped, completed again.

Now run albeit very slowly three times a week. Minimum distance 9.5K, max to date 11.5 K.

Like you didn’t want to be seem.

But you know, be in awe of the fat girls!

You may not lose weight, but you will be fitter, have great confidence in your body and mind.

You have taken t first step.

Take on board all the advice on the forum.

Trust the programme.

Just have faith...

You CAN DO this!

Keep us posted with your progress.

Go! Hi

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Legsache]

What brilliant advice,

[MiddleMary Graduate]

Hi. I was very much like you and it took me a good few weeks of having the app on my phone before starting. I had old tracksuit bottoms, supermarket trainers and a t-shirt. I thought every one would look at me and think look at that fat old lady. I was soooooo wrong, it’s all in our heads and that is a battle in itself. I used to run late in the evening on a remote run but there came a time when I though I’m going to just run round the streets where I live. I see lots of people and never feel looked down on. I’m still very slow, even after graduation in May but I’m still doing it and that feeling you get is wonderful. I’m not a natural athlete and am quite clumsy but it honestly doesn’t matter. Slow and steady has worked for me and I feel sooo much better, not just through feeling fitter but better in my head. I hope you can get past your mind - it’s soo worth it 😊 🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to MiddleMary]

100% a battle with myself just now!

[Reggit Graduate]

As long as you can walk a reasonable distance (recommendation is 30 minutes), you can do this plan.

Most of us understand the not wanting to be seen at the beginning of our running journey, I hid in black combat trousers for weeks 😂 I was technically obese, although I didn’t do it for weight loss, I’m now merely fat after losing 3 stone. You’ll soon realise though, that no one actually sees you - it’s really weird!

Another way to do it is ask around your locality if there’s anyone else thinking about doing the program, you can run together and support each other through the highs and lows of the journey.

[MrsBump Graduate]

We've all been there. Starting really is the hardest thing about it. Once you've taken the plunge you'll wonder what all the fuss was about! Honestly, just go for it. The programme starts out gently and from the very beginning it'll make you feel so much better, physically and mentally. You'll soon stop caring what other people think - they're only thinking about themselves anyway!

[Squattingnevel]

Hey, listen you know I started this last year and after level 2 I gave up doing it outside. I suffer with back problems and it was hurting my legs and back. so I started walking like 5- 6 miles every other day and lost 5kg just doing this alone. I've started back the gym and now I'm at level 3 doing this on the tredmill and actually skipped level 1 this time around. I'm about 4stone over weight and 30 but I've got fab curves who cares about a few extra pounds be proud of it. Anything is possible. But honestly I would try walking longer first because running will take its toll on the body. Once you've got the boogie to walk for a few miles, you'll get bored and get the buzz to run. This is what happened to me a few weeks ago. Stay cool 😎

[LiisaM Graduate]

Hey! I'm cheering for you! Lots of folk have something about which they're conscious of and afraid of being seen. There are old people, fat people, people who think they're too skinny, people who have odd shapes other than fat, bald people, and on and on. When I was 70-ish and overweight to boot, my son said hey, I should start this C25k program. I thought he was nuts! At my age (75 now) I hate to be seen because I am so old as well as still a bit overweight, but I did the program and am so GLAD I did. I'm still doing it and have graduated. This morning I bugged everyone at our house saying I had to do my run and I have to do it because doing it makes me feel good! That wasn't always true, but now it is. Loseweightby40, I'm cheering for you and want you to either start walking like some have suggested--or the c25k, whichever works for you! Go for it. Just think--anyone who can see you is likely not running also so you're already a step ahead of them.

[LmNee]

Hey!I get up at half 5 for work too, but no way could I do earlier, so I run in the evening instead. I go around 8pm as its a bit quieter (and I'm super paranoid about running in "public") but honestly no one notices! Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to LmNee]

I’m actually struggling with the time a bit as I work 12 hour shifts, by 8pm I’m tired and just want to get home 😂 I need to try and fit it in, but every second week I work 5 days so it’s tiring!

[M0use Graduate]

When I started couch 25k I had 5 stone to lose. It took me 3 weeks to get the nerve to get out of the door and I was really self conscious, convinced that everyone would be looking at me and thinking what on earth does she think she's doing. It didn't take long for me to realise that generally people either didn't notice me at all or would smile and say hello. The other joggers I encountered always nod and wave as we pass. Within a very short time I'd lost all the nerves and just enjoyed the running. In the process I've lost 3 out of the 5 stone so I'm on my way but a bit further to go. That first step out of the door is really scary but definitely worth it so go for it, join the rest of us wobbly, slow runners ☺️

[Hidden in reply to M0use]

This is pretty much exactly the position I’m in! I’m 1.5lb away from losing my first stone with just diet, but want to get more active! I’ve signed up for Park Run as I just found out you can walk it it’s great to hear someone who was in my position! Thanks!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I just weighed in, I’ve hit my 1 stone loss! I could honestly cry!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It sounds like you are doing so well with losing weight, reading all the replies it looks like fitting in some walking first would be a good idea, you work long hours but do you get a lunch break? even a 10 minute walk in your lunch break would give you a lift energy wise and make you feel better for the afternoon, just a suggestion, you’ll only do it if you want to 😀

[M0use Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You can do it, slow and steady and trust the plan. You'll find so many more benefits to it than you can imagine. ☺️

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

While you're working up to walking 30 minutes briskly, you could listen to the podcast Maintenance Phase (maintenancephase.com/). Maybe it'll also help you feel more comfortable psychologically...

Despite having hit the gene lottery and being "normal" weight all my life, I had body shame - and listening to Maintenance Phase certainly has helped me with that. Plus, I am much more appreciative of the struggles people with more weight go through, uhm, are put through.

Either way, I wish you lots of luck and courage! You can do this!!!