Stuck on week 5

[Soulstar3496]

Hi Everyone,

I've been suffering with eating disorders and have been stuck on binge eating for 2 years. I've been running off and on, but I managed to get to week 5 run 2 and was surprised when my fat body could run for continously 8 minutes.

Fast forward to 3 weeks, during which I haven't been running at all. I tried to pick up from where I left off which was week 5 run 3 which has 20 minutes of continous running and I just couldnt do it.

I think I was mentally not prepared more than physically. Although, I had woken up early and had a headache, from less sleep and did feel slightly exhausted.

Please can anyone tell me what I should? I feel very scared mentally. I feel like a failure, since most people would finish this in 9 weeks. Its taken me 2 years and I am still not done. My pace is really slow and I haven't been losing weight at all.

Thank you

[nowster Graduate]

The problem was probably the extended break. Three weeks is a little too long to leave between runs in the programme.

I'd suggest doing a run from week 4 before tackling week 5 again, and not leaving it quite as long between runs.

You lose a bit of fitness when you don't run for over a week or two.

I've been a regular runner for the last 4 years but haven't run for the last six weeks because I dropped something heavy on a toe. When I start running again I won't be going straight into doing a 10km run like I did in the week before I hurt my toe. I'll start with something a lot easier and shorter.

I'm sure you've been told this before, but running on its own is not a guaranteed way to lose weight. You might even put on a bit of weight initially as you gain muscle.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

First off... well done for being here! That takes strength,,,,

Okay...rewind and start again... you have been away for three weeks... and Week 5 is not really the place to begin again. You were not feeling on top of the world and you were already tired.

So,,, why not.. after a good night's sleep... just head out on a simple jogette... a run to take it slow and steady and just see how you feel...no time, no distance in mind...just run.

Then... make a choice... Many of us have repeated C25K, some of us more than once.. after time out, or injury or illness or life...you could start at Week 1.

You feel scared... well... you know you have done Week 1 to 5.... just use those weeks as a warm up? A familiar friend... and comfy companion.

Take it as slow as you like... we have so many folk, who have taken a whole lot longer than you... and it really does not matter. You are here now and we are here to support you.

Pop across to our sister site too ... Weight Loss support. Many of our friends here, are there also. They work well together.

Now, chin up... and decide what you would like to begin with. If you start at the very beginning... the only way really is forward

[drl212 Graduate]

Sounds like you’ve had a bit of a rough few weeks. As OF says, you’re doing well to want to get back on track after a break.

Lots of folks repeat weeks, so no worries there. Find out where you are now and start out again.

I went out for a run yesterday and my head was just not into it. I had limited time and worried I would be late for an appointment throughout the run. Didn’t go the distance I had hoped but took it as a lesson that I should have gone running in the evening without the pressures.

So now I’ll go back and attempt that run again.

Chalk it up to a learning experience.

[Transrightsnow]

Never give up! You have done amazing so far 👏 even if it doesn't feel like it. It's not how many times you fall It's that you get back up. Great advice above, so lovely to join and see how supportive this community is 😊

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

I concur with all above. W5 R3 is about about your head. If you've followed the program you are ready.

Go back to W4, as suggested, because of the break and work back to W5 R3. Don't be scared of this run. (It's the best run of the program!).

Believe you can do it. that's all it takes. You won't regret it.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate]

First off, you don't need too use the 'f' word here (by this I mean 'failure' of course). You've got to week 5, more than half way through and you can run for 8 minutes. How impossible did that sound in week 1?

You've had a break for 3 weeks. I'm guessing that there were good reasons for that. This shows maturity.

You then had the courage to go back to where you left off. Having a run when you've had a break can be daunting, but you did it. This was despite not feeling brilliant. Pat yourself on the back for having the strength to do that.

As for the future, don't be afraid to go back a week or even two, just to ease yourself gently back to the run. Set yourself a goal that you know should be achievable, say a week 3 run. This'll be good, so either do another week 3 or try a week 4 run. Again, you can repeat it if you like or then get back and start week 5 again.

Oh, and lots of us, self included, took way longer than 9 weeks. You've got this