I am a male aged 54 weigh 14.5 st and am 5ft 11in would like to get fit again by walking and running. I play golf once a week.

[jura]

I want to lose weight and get fit again, how would i go about to achieve this. I had suffered with insomnia for over 25yrs, got into a program through my local hospital and now i am back into a sleeping program. The reason i mention this is because it was really tough for the first few weeks and now it its a lot easier eg cant go to bed till 1.45 then rise at 6.45. So i believe when you put your mind to something anything is possible.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Hi Jura, take the bull by the horns and give C25K a try. Reading your post my thoughts would be to go out running in the mornings not evenings as the adrenaline rush you will get from running may disrupt your sleeping pattern and make it difficult to maintain otherwise. Your not too old, your not too heavy to try running for the first time so get your trainers on and go for it. I wish you all the luck in the world, take care and please keep us posted on your progress.

[paulbirch Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Picking up on your comment about age, weight and height I would have to agree with you as I'm 58, started running when I was 15st 3lbs and I'm 6' tall.

Just go for it Jura and enjoy whatever YOU can achieve!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Definitely get on with C25K, it has transformed my life and I sleep so much better (not that I had the degree of sleep disruption you had) but it really really really is a great programme for getting fit, losing weight (if you dont overeat to compensate) and for building confidence!

From a 50 year old formerly obese non runner who now goes out for 10k runs for fun!

[sfb350 Graduate]

I have also found I sleep a lot better since C25K and I had years of taking sleeping pills, some prescription and some off-the-shelf (usually took 2 or 3 times what I should have done!).

There are so many benefits to be gained by following this program - go for it !

[PastyMan Graduate]

Jura, I'm pretty much the same build and completed this too.

Don't know what others think but my view would be to do the sessions earlier in the day rather than late as I feel bright as a button and full of energy straight after a run.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Yep first think for me for a run. I'm an oldie 62 next birthday and only started running for the first time a year ago, so its never too late. I was also over weight when I began to romp around the streets. Have lost the excess now and have a healthy BMI of 22.7 at my last check. Ran my first 10K run today too so come on keep me company and blog your results its lovely to hear how others are getting on. Good luck Jura and all the others just starting out.

[Bella2021]

Hi Jura,

Though younger than you, I can relate to your sleeping difficulties. Can I just say that in my experience, the stress relief that running provides for me is invaluable. I work a highly stressful job with long hours. Though I am exhausted by it, as it is both physical and mental in nature, I find that if I go for a run after work in the evenings, even though I am knackered and can sometimes not run very fast, it helps me relax and loosens up my body, in which I hold a lot of stress that turns into pain. I too have required medication over the years to assist my sleeping, but I find the running has been the most powerful form of medicine for my mind and body, and it allows me to sleep well, not necessarily longer. Running is a very good form of meditation, as you are pushing yourself, and just focussing on breathing and keeping going, and of course allowing the mind to stop churning over. I am only in Week 3 of the program, but have run more in past years. I don't know where you are in the program, or if you have started at all, but I strongly encourage you to give it a go! May I suggest, though I am not an expert, to allow your body to adjust more easily, to perhaps do two weeks of each week? It's just an idea, as rapid weight loss is not ideal.

Good luck and let us know how you are going!!!