Just starting

[newbie53]

Fed up of been 59 and fat, so going to do something about it. ( I have a really fit husband which doesnt help my confidence, although he is really supportive) Do not usually use blogs or facebook etc but need some motivation as want to be fit and look fab for when I retire. Anyone else just starting, it would be great to compare progress

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Hi newbie 53! We're the same age! I can now run 28 minutes without getting out of breath and I only started in July -- and have lost over a stone. I'm a size 12 , so I don't think I'm fat, but my body is really toned. Anway see my blogs, they may help you. GOOD LUCK with Run 1, you'll hate it at first, but by week 3 I bet you'll be hooked like the rest of us. This is a great community. Good luck and happy running, Delia

[newbie53 in reply to DeliaItaly]

Thanks Delia, first one done, feels good

[gypsydepp Graduate]

Hello newbie53!

I'm 54 and started this in February, and finishing ( we call it graduating ) in April.

Due to illness and injury had to stop in June.

Have now been told by physio that I can run again, so starting the program again on Monday!

So excited, can't wait........

I know there will be runs that are brilliant, frustrating, inspiring, disappointing, etc.

But best of all if I do as I'm told on the podcasts, I know that the program works and I will be running 3 times a week and will achieve 30 minutes of non-stop running.

Good luck to both of us!

Feel free to message me if you want.

Don't forget you can also post questions here too.

x

[Julesdav Graduate]

Well done newbie. I'm in my mid fifties aswell...! I have completed the programme and can run for 40 minutes but week 1 was tough. I just stuck with it and got hooked...and it works. Eat sensibly , follow the programme and you can't fail to lose weight. The health benefits are fab and think how great you will feel about yourself..you have made the first step..well done

[Gridlet Graduate]

Welcome newbie53! You will find lots of support and motivation on here! Everyone is amazing! So supportive, sharing in your good and bad times. Age is no barrier, just follow the programme and keep posting. You will be feeling great in no time.

[mo-mentum Graduate]

Hi newbie 53 - well done for deciding to get running. I'm currently in week 7 and cannot believe how quickly the weeks and runs have flown by. I remember thinking that the early weeks were hard (despite being a regular walker and swimmer). Now I'm running 25 minutes (slowly like a granny but I can do it) which i never thought was possible. The added bonus of weight loss and feeling more alive is great - I went out to my first black-tie do of the season last night and my dress choice was restricted because some of them were just too big I've never been in to this blogging lark either, but the folks on this site are genuinely really supportive. So much so that when the going gets tough on the run I always feel like there is a group of supporters cheering me on. Go for it girl!

[Corona1]

Hi newbie 53

I joined yesterday. I'm 54, overweight and unfit. Had a terrible shock last week as a friend who was the same age, died - and her being overweight was a factor, so it's given me a kick up the you-know-what. My husband is also lovely and very supportive; he's also been slim and fit all his life and so has no idea how to battle my love of being comfortable!

Can I join the newbies support group please ??

[dush3003 in reply to Corona1]

Hi Corona

Yes of course you can. Welcome:0) It's not nice to get a shock like that, your right it really does give you a wake up call. At least your doing something about it now.

You will see from my message below I have only recently started again and hope to be well enough to continue soon. Once you get going and then have to stop for whatever reason, you really miss the running.

Good luck to you too.

[newbie53 in reply to Corona1]

Hi Corona, Just told my husband I had done my first walk/jog of the programme, I dont know whether he was more surprised at my exercise or my blogging. Let us know how you get on. I have a massive 6 stone to lose, feels better now I am talking about it openly Good luck

[Corona1 in reply to newbie53]

That's brilliant. Well done for taking that first step already. I'm planning to start on Sunday (when I get the programme downloaded onto my MP3 player) so will report back then. You're right, it does feel better to actually share it - I've been a bit embarrassed to talk about to others who just have the same reaction "well do something about it then !" in a very dismissive way. Not helpful at all.

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to Corona1]

Hi Newbie and Corona - you have no idea the amount of support you'll get on here... I'm 54, lost 18 kilos a few years ago but as I'm getting older, keeping it off is a bit more difficult. I am really determined to go into older age healthy and fit and running seems to have far less strings attached (and less money) than gyms, classes etc. etc.

I have never been on a forum as I've never enjoyed the 'tone' I've found on most, however this has been an absolute delight. I am in W8 and I cannot believe that 8 weeks has passed since I started. You two will find that this is a wonderful path you have stumbled across and there are hundreds of us out there ready to encourage and support.

Enjoy yourselves and don't put too much pressure on the weight loss thing happening immediately because the body goes through a variety of changes before it can even think about weight loss but you will end up with a completely differently shaped body and fantastically strong legs - go, go, go..... :-), Sara xox

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to Corona1]

Good luck Corona! I'm an Oldbie but welcome, welcome, welcome and do feel free to ask me anything!

[dush3003]

Hi newbie53

I too am a bit like you fat and fed up, not quite 59 but not far behind you either at 52. I was on to W3R2 which I did a couple of weeks ago when I went on holiday, but, came back and within a few days got this dreadful cold. Like you I don't really like the blogging thing but you do get the motivation and support everyone seems so nice. Good luck and keep blogging.

[caz1_ca Graduate]

Right I started at the beginning of August and can still only run for about 2 minutes before I have to walk. What the heck am I doing wrong?? That question is of course to all you people who can run for almost half an hour! I am 53 and am getting a bit disheartened now as it seems to be getting harder not easier. Although when I first started I could only run for about 30 seconds, but I would of thought by now I could run non stop for more than 2 minutes. I must confess though that I don't use the podcasts, so maybe that is the reason I can't run further for longer??? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh and do any of you do any other exercises? Also I'm not over weight so that isn't in issue. I just want to get fitter. And welcome to all the newbies. I joined when I started jogging back in August but confess to not being a very active member blog wise. I will try my best to put that right.

[suepdragon in reply to caz1_ca]

Hi Caz1_ca

Don't lose heart. You've quadrupled the length of time you can run!

I really recommend the podcasts, I would never, ever have come as far as I have without them. I've just completed week 5 run3. I still can hardly believe that I have run (well jogged very slowly) for a 20 whole minutes! I'm 58 and overweight (obese when I started) and couldn't manage a minute of running when I went for an ECG last year. Every step up has seemed impossible but I've managed them - just - and my confidence is growing. I can't say I have enjoyed any run but I feel so much fitter I never want to go back to how I was. Stick with it. Best advice from Laura is don't go too fast. I felt foolish chugging along at first but now I don't care one bit. It's worth it.

I'm not a blogger either (although I am very very grateful for the encouraging blogs from othes) but I felt I just had to make the effort to offer you some support. Keep with it - you'll get there!

[caz1_ca Graduate in reply to suepdragon]

Thank you so much Superdragon you encouragement does mean a lot. I will get the podcast. I do have an Iphone and I have got the c25k app on it but never used it, (stupid huh) Does the podcast from here come with music?

Good luck to you and your continue running.

[suepdragon in reply to caz1_ca]

Glad to help. The podcasts do come with music although the selection wouldn't be my choice, but its Laura's calm, instructions and re-assurance that do it for me. I haven't used the app so can't comment.

Good luck to you too.

[caz1_ca Graduate in reply to suepdragon]

I'm so sorry I got your name wrong and that was with my glasses on. Hahaha.

[suepdragon in reply to caz1_ca]

No worries - I prefer it but can't claim to be super at anything!

[caz1_ca Graduate in reply to suepdragon]

You will be super jogger before you know it.

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to caz1_ca]

Hi Caz! Rule Number 1, download the podcasts -- they are the core of the program. I know that Laura can be a pain but she has taken this 59 year old from 0 to 28 mins non-stop jogging (see my blogs). Just a touch of disclpline and you can do it too! Good luck!

[caz1_ca Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

Thanks DeliaItaly. I will get those downloaded before I get back out there on Monday morning.

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to caz1_ca]

Hey Caz - the podcasts really are the go. With Laura encouraging you every step (well mostly every step) of the way you will find yourself running further just because of the encouragement. It may feel a bit disappointing to do this BUT... why don't you start again WITH Laura and see what a difference it makes to your ability. It would be interesting to see how you go :-)... There is sooooo much support on this site and there are a lot of people here who would not normally go on a forum (like me). Give it a go and ENJOY :-). Good luck, Sara x

[caz1_ca Graduate in reply to psarapsych]

Thank you Sara. I was actually planning on starting again using the podcast. Hopefully I will find the beginning a bit easier now.

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to caz1_ca]

Caz you will, you really will and also, weird to say but keeping connected with Laura and the forum kind of sets up a feeling like the people here are all encouraging me to do it and it really does keep the motivation going. Also, there's a lot of humour here which keeps the chuckles coming and helps us get through those gruelling times. Good luck and keep posting, Sara

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to psarapsych]

Hey Sara, see you're back from your gruelling adventure! Hope you can realx this weekend we're in for graduation next week

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

Blimmin' 'eck D... D'you know what... When I realised I could do nothing about it and had to actually stay on the blessed train until we got to Breclav I eventually calmed down and ordered a glass of wine... However I had to wait that hour there BUT found the most amazing Restaurant/Cafe where I had the BEST fries I have ever tasted and.. more wine. On the train back I joined a group of boisterous Austrians who'd been on a day's outing to Brno and they were well tanked - but happy not aggressive. Anyway I had my supper on the train and when I eventually got home I had the best sleep I've had in a long time and this morning had a wonderful 8/2 run - not fast but happy :-).

How have your other two runs been this week - better than no. 1 I hope???? Sooooooo yesssssss..... Graduation next week, as long as I don't find myself on a train to Znojmo!!!!!! It was weird being cut off from everyone here (phone lost battery) so am making up for lost time - let me know how your runs went, Sara xoxox

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to psarapsych]

Run 2 was a bit better than Run 1 but gruelling all the same! Run 3 tomorrow hope I make it....

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

You will if you start :-), you WILL, you will D. I'll be on your heels on Saturday.

Glad R2 was a bit better... Less wind?

Oh, by the way... Beads has posted that you promised us photos of those Italian bums in the park - not sure if you've seen the post??? Anyway... we're waiting with baited breath LOL !!!!

[DeliaItaly Graduate in reply to psarapsych]

hahahaha! We are going to get thrown off this site if we don't start behaving! I never promised anything of the sort, but someone, I think it was either Suki_007 or Swanscot (forgive if it was neither of you) suggested I took a camera...or maybe it was TJ Flute. There was definitely a long conversation about bums though.

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

I'm giggling so hard now - thanks for that D, :-). xoxox

[AnnieW55 in reply to caz1_ca]

Hi caz1 well done for sticking at it and newbie 53 for starting. Like everyone says you will get all the help and encouragement you need from this site so stick with it, it really helps. Just take it steady and at your own pace and you will improve.

I tried for a couple of years on and off to run and, like you caz, I never improved. Finding the podcasts this August was like finding the key, and by following Laura I graduated at the end of October. From spending (wasting) time trying and not being able to run more than a couple of minutes at a time to over 30 nonstop now. It's often not easy but it is possible. And there are lots of lovely people on here to share, vent, learn and laugh with. Look forward to hearing more from you both.

[paterson]

I started in July and believe me you will feel so much better in yourself. I have only lost a few pounds in weight but my clothes fit well and I look as though I have lost a lot more weight than I actually have. I have recently joined a running club which is really hard work but it means you are running with other people.

all the best for your running

[newbie53]

Hi, Well I have just finished week 1 day 1 and guess what-I really enjoyed it. Thanks to everyone for their positive comments, I guess blogging will be the motivation I need. I hope that as a fat 59 year old with about 6 stone to lose that I can inspire and motivate others. These are thoughts in the past I would not dare to share, so I guess the elephants out of the room now and time to move on. Started watching my weight as well today, so hopefully next Friday, I will still be the same weight and not increased

[caz1_ca Graduate in reply to newbie53]

Well done. Set lots of little goals for yourself and when you reach each one you will feel a sense of achievement.

[GoldenOldy]

Hi Newbie53,

Well done for getting out there running and well done for telling us all. You will be helping lots of others sharing everything.

It seems as if lots of us with weight to lose don't see much change initially so it might be worth measuring yourself as well now. I'm into week 3 and have hardly lost any weight despite changing to a really healthy diet as well. Others say how their measurements show they are improving - I wish I had measured myself at the start. However I know it will all come good!

Good luck with it. Keep running and keep blogging, (I'm sure it's good for us !)

[Meriad]

Hi,,,I'm 64 and have just done week one run one....for the first time. I do exercise class and Zumba Gold but felt I need something outdoors as well. My only worry is that I might have to stop if the weather gets icy but then, I could always start again once the weather improves. I just wish my very unfit and overweight husband would join me

[psarapsych Graduate in reply to Meriad]

Meriad... look up Yaktrax Pro... I live in Austria and am facing the winter snows and ice (no treadmill) so have bought these 'things' you put onto your running shoes and off you go. Make sure you get the Pro though because the ordinary ones are just for home use - e.g. getting from house to car. Oh, they're not expensive - about £15-18 for the pair.

You might like to know that one of our Community 'OldGirl' is 74 and she's going great guns - not sure what she'll be doing in the cold weather....

Ohhh... Your overweight hubby will see how much you are enjoying it and how fit you are getting and he'll join you, you just wait and see :-). Good luck and well done, Sara