It's so worth it!!!

[RiceAndPeas]

Dear everybody, I started C25k in Sept '23 after having a very frank conversation with the GP about my life expectancy. I was prediabetic, had high cholesterol, impaired kidney function and was obese.

If anybody is struggling and finding the program tough do not despair. Persevering is well worth the effort, of you take your time and pace yourself you will finish and reap the rewards.

Since graduating I have been along to parkrun a few times - very highly recommended! I even ran a full marathon, perhaps not quite so highly recommended!

My latest blood test results show completely healthy Hba1c (blood sugar) levels and very healthy kidney function.

Keep at it everybody, I struggled and felt so self conscious when I started and although there were many challenges nothing was harder than stepping outside to do the first run. That first minute of running really seems to last forever doesn't it!

I hope you can take some inspiration from my words. Keep enjoying the process and beyond that first magical 5k run there are many more adventures to be had. Best of all, whilst having fun your health will improve too.

Best of luck everybody. X

[T2runner Graduate]

Well said and congratulations on doing it and carrying on, that's where I failed last time, looking forward to my first park run coming up next Saturday.

[RiceAndPeas in reply to T2runner]

Fantastic, go and enjoy yourself. It's a fantastic way to start a weekend. Congratulations on taking the plunge!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Very true words, you've come so far and so have so many others

[RiceAndPeas in reply to SueAppleRun]

Many thanks Sue. The support network on Health Unlocked, lead by wonderful administrators like your good self, has nurtured many people through and way beyond their first tentative running steps.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to RiceAndPeas]

You are so right about the support network but I'm not an administrator

[RiceAndPeas in reply to SueAppleRun]

My apologies, I do remember you giving me plenty of encouragement when I was doing C25k. 😃

[Irishprincess Graduate]

I’d love to have seen the face of your doctor when you mentioned you’d just run a marathon 😳

Great work, well done!

[RiceAndPeas in reply to Irishprincess]

It was a priceless moment i shall treasure forever! 😂

[linda9389 Graduate]

What an amazing turnaround! Congratulations. You really have taken back control. Thank you for taking the time to share your story.

[RiceAndPeas in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, I was so happy with the test results. I would dearly love others to enjoy feeling fit and well again so thought sharing a few words here might encourage others to keep going.

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to RiceAndPeas]

Absolutely. It shows, not only what is possible, but the benefits too 😊

[Dippyeggs]

I'm prediabetic, obese and have hypertension. I've just re-started the c25k, and your story really inspires me, that I can turn my health conditions around! Thanks for sharing!!

[RiceAndPeas in reply to Dippyeggs]

You can definitely do it, stick with it. My GP wanted me to take statins, I refused and she suggested C25k might be worthwhile. It really was. I was out of the prediabetic range by the time I had completed the program. I did a lot of walking too and made sure I got 10 thousand steps done every day. Giving up smoking and drinking didn't hurt either!

[30min-ambition Graduate]

amazing and I spring. I am overweight, pre diabetic range and recently discovered some heart issues as well. I tries C25k about 4 weeks ago and on W1R3 I pushed myself too much and the. Had knee pain for many weeks and that has derailed my progress.

You have inspired me to go back and try again - thanks and well down.

Can I ask did you ever get this keen pain. I wondered if it’s because I a, overweight

[RiceAndPeas in reply to 30min-ambition]

I did and still do get knee pain from time to time. I am not expert but at first I think a lot of it was due to using ligaments and tendons in a way they hadn't been made to work for a very long time. Just go a bit more slowly, take your time and you may find you manage to keep with it. It's definitely not a race to graduate, slow and steady will get you there.

[30min-ambition Graduate]

thanks. I just noticed how poor my spelling was in my message to you, so double thanks for replying.