Life changer

[Carners1]

sooo,I'm a 51 year old bloke with many years of bad diet and too much drinking and smoking behind me. When I turned 51 in September decided to make a change. I live in 'the sticks ' and work shifts, so a gym was out of the question

Having known about C25K (and scoffed at people who did it, mainly because I thought I couldn't) I downloaded the app and bought a pair of decent trainers, thinking that spending money would motivate me. I can't lie, the first two weeks were horrendous, I thought I would die, cough up a lung or both. I had aches where I didn't think it was possible to get aches and cursed Jo Whiley for being so cheerful. However,little by little my fitness has improved and yesterday I did the second run of week 5 and do you know what? ? I really enjoyed it and found it relatively easy. I know it's early days, but this has literally changed my life. I am now eating healthily and have dropped a stone already, smoking has gone from 30-40 a day to 3-4. I now have a bounce in my step and feel so much better about myself.

To anyone thinking about doing this, do it! ! It's not easy,but if someone like me can make gains and big changes, so can you!!!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

👍Well done you!! Keep on, keeping on to the very end & then some!

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

thank you

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

We’ll done you, what a success story

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

Fantastic!! Well done 👍 It’s always uplifting to read these sort of posts. Thank you and keep us posted of your progress.

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

will do

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

If W6R1 is your next run, stay nice and slow as it is the run that catches out more people than any other run in the programme.

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.

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

thank you. I have a colleague who is a keen runner and he's said pretty much the same. Plenty of stretching before and after and keep it slow, its about finishing!!!

[nowster Graduate]

Well done! My first attempt at Week 1 Run 3 included an unexpected short climb. After that climb I had palpitations, cold sweats, a stitch, and nausea.

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Glad it wasn't just me 😃

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

We love a success story... and we have so many ! Very well done you...!

Steady as you go into Week 6... relax and enjoy!

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

thank

[Marymars Graduate]

Wow what an honest and humbling message. I am sure it will inspire other new runners who may feel that c25k not for them.

Well done you ☺️

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Marymars]

Thank you. Like I said, it feels like a life changing moment.

[Sisteract5 Graduate]

brilliant- well done. To be enjoying it too is amazing- sounds like you have the bug!

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Sisteract5]

Definitely, nothing better than running through fields with music on knowing that every step is improving your life!

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

Well done! Stay motivated

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Oldwoman65]

thank you.

[Rookie81]

thanks for the motivation. I'm on week three, cut down my smoking significantly and now look forward to the runs. Coming from a heavy drinker as well to not drinking and loving to run that is in itself a huge change for me. Yet to spend on some expensive running kits tho

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Rookie81]

thats brilliant!! I just found that I didn't want to smoke and just by cutting right down, how much my breathing improved...and quickly.

just think of all the nice running gear you can buy with the money you've saved 👍

[Cuckoogoose]

well done. That is amazing. You should be well proud of yourself. Keep up the good work

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Cuckoogoose]

Thank

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Wow I’m in awe! The changes you’ve made to your fitness and lifestyle will benefit you for years to come. You must be so proud of yourself! Enjoy week 5 run 3 - it was my favourite run of the programme due to the sense of achievement I got after completing it. Go for it!

[Hidden]

Well done, so glad you have changed your life around for the better…… Change your habits and you’ll change your life.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Friso72 Graduate]

So relatable! Congrats from an overweight 50-year old who also started C25K (even though I have hated running all my life and scoffed at all those runners passing by our house panting and sweating). Now I’m even running 10K… what an amazing thing C25K is. Well done you , keep it up and be proud to call yourself a runner!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well done Carners1, this is just the start of a new journey!

[Santa_1 Graduate]

well done. You should be very proud of yourself. I love running I'm still running I graduated on 17th of September and I still get that high after every run. Keep running keep enjoying 🙂🏃‍♂️

[Carners1 Graduate in reply to Santa_1]

Think I've definitely found something that I'm going to love more and more.