END OF WEEEK 5, WONDERING ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS. - Couch to 5K

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END OF WEEEK 5, WONDERING ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS.

tinat0505 profile image
17 Replies

Hi all, im coming to the end of week 5 (20 min run tomorrow!!) and have been enjoying this programme so far, however i have to ask about peoples weight loss. I have already lost 2 stone in 2012 and started this programme as a way to tone up & try and shift the last 10lb or so that would get me to my goal. I so far have lost 2lb in the 5 weeks and am feeling a little deflated. I have been progressing through this programme, running 3 days a week and having 2 days gym inbetween with 2 rest days.

I must say that my legs are looking a little leaner however what it says on the scales is always the way i have measured my success, i think i may need to change my mindset and just carry on and not let the scales rule me lol.

Just wondered what experiences others have had? and if weight loss has increased in the later weeks of the programme xx

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tinat0505 profile image
tinat0505
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17 Replies
Cazvs profile image
CazvsGraduate

I actually gained weight around week 5 from the muscle I was putting on. Don't forget that muscle is denser than fat so even if you don't lose lots of weight it doesn't mean you aren't getting smaller. Maybe as well as weighing yourself you could take some measurements so that you can monitor your progress that way? Or use a pair of jeans to see how much smaller you are getting. You could use that as your goal instead of getting to a certain weight.

Well done on losing 2 stone :)

motheroffour profile image
motheroffourGraduate

I definitely noticed a change in my shape-losing fat from around my midriff particularly. In terms of weightloss, exercise alone doesn't do much unless you are training like an Olympic athlete! But it is great for maintaining weight and toning up so don't be discouraged,particularly when you've lost all that weight already! In terms of your health,reducing your abdominal girth is every bit as important as losing weight and I find that when I'm exercising I generally feel better and am less likely to slip back into bad dietary habits. Keep it up!

Firstly congrats on the 2 stone, I didn't lose a pound when I did the programme, but was chuffed that it was so much easier to stabilise my weight, but I definitely felt a change of shape.

When I decide the time had come to focus on my weight (start of year) I started using myfitnesspal app and in combination with running I'm losing weight far easier than before. So I think it is the combination that helps.

Bluepiano profile image
BluepianoGraduate

I was wondering about this myself, I felt quite demoralised when I weighed myself at the start of week 5 and found I was pretty much the same as when I started. But I feel fitter so I am hoping I am looking a bit fitter as well. I think the further you get into the programme the more you do and the quicker things will happen. I recon the main thing is to stop getting on the scales and keep running ;0)

Malcy profile image
MalcyGraduate

Well done - 2 stone is a big whack of blubber to lose and you can be proud!

I'm down almost 5 stone now (actually 31kg) in just over a year and have been tracking stats for all sorts of things that might help me understand where I get the best benefit. I've found that exercise has very little impact. It's puzzling because ultimately the amount of weight loss is down to calories eaten minus calories burned.

But here's my view of where it "gangs aft aglay".

The theory would say that if I do 300 cal exercise 3 times a week, that's equal to not eating 900 cal that week (and doing no exercise). The thing is that to lose 1kg in a week, you need to under-consume by 1000 calories EVERY day. Thus all that sweat over the week isn't even hitting one day's reduction in calorie intake. 900 cal exercise is about 0.12 kg of fat loss and that's much less than you lose in a trip to the loo! It's insignificant.

So in terms of dropping a waist size, exercise simply isn't worth it and won't get you there. However (and it's a BIG however) the real benefit of exercise in in fitness, overall health and self esteem. I reckon the more you exercise, the better you feel. And, because weight control seems to be largely an emotional thing, the better you feel the more likely you are to stick with your weight loss regime.

I guess where this leaves my thoughts is this - exercise won't itself cause a significant loss of weight. But it will bring about the conditions that will lead to a significant loss of weight.

Of course, every one is different and these views are based only on my own experience. But they do seem reasonable conclusions?

tinat0505 profile image
tinat0505

thanks so much for all your advice, this group is amazing, Malcy you are right in what you say, i tend to say no to all the naughty cravings i have as i see it will undo all my hard work! so my journey is linked to my emotional state, i feel so much better doing regular exercise. Cazvs im going to measure myself tomorrow and dig out a pair of jeans to measure my success rather than keep hoping on the scales!! think i may weigh myself every 2 weeks rather than each week to wean myself off. Saturday is my day off so i will kick back and relax with a few vodkas tonight (with diet coke) and prepare myself for my 20 min run in the morning, thanks again for the support, i believe in this programme & wont let anything get in my way xxx

VintagePat profile image
VintagePat in reply to tinat0505

Hi Tina,

Take a look at the body shape of runners

over short distances and

runners over long distance.

What is the difference?

What are your conclusions? xx

Cazvs profile image
CazvsGraduate

If you've got a sweet tooth then try making two ingredient cookies- two ripe bananas, mashed and a cup of rolled oats. Mix it up, dollop some on a greased baking tray and bake for 15 mins at gas 4. Makes about 12 and you can eat the whole lot without feeling guilty ;) Very sweet and even nicer with chopped walnuts! I'm thinking about using the recipe as a base for making my own energy bars.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to Cazvs

Hi Caz, this sounds wonderful and I want to try it, but is there an oz/g measurement for the cup of rolled oats? I'm never sure about what size cup to use!

Thanks,

Annie

Cazvs profile image
CazvsGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

A cup is a standard measurement, they use it in N America a lot and you can buy a set of cups in most supermarkets. Just checked and a cup of oats is just under 75g, my scales are analogue so hard to tell exactly. Hope they turn out well for you :)a

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to Cazvs

Brilliant - thank you! I'll try those tomorrow :)

gdeann profile image
gdeannGraduate

I completed C25K and am in week 5 of a 6 week 10K plan and am the same weight as when I started! I also watch what I eat, following the Weight Watchers plan. I lost about 35 pounds on WW before starting C25K so I am really hoping I'm not seeing a scale weight loss because I'm close to goal. I have noticed that my body has changed and I have went down in clothing size. Its still frustrating non the less to not see that scale budge. Today I had water weight on the scale and I told Steve I feel like an old, fat cow! I know I look better then a year ago, but much like running, its a mental thing. Gayle

k6daisy profile image
k6daisyGraduate

I am completely different. My husband always told me I was the weight i was because I did no exercise. Now 2.5 months later with a combination of brisk walking at first and then the C25K plan, I have lost 16 pounds with no effect on diet. Today I bought a pair of jeans 2 sizes smaller than I have worn in 12 years!!! I am estatic! Tonight was W6R2.......it was tough and I bombed it one minute to the end. But my app told me I was running much faster than my previous run so I know I just need to slow it down again now in run3. My husband is a fit bloke, he does the coast to coast cycling route as least once a yea, plus cycles to work every day, and he told me tonight he is soooooo impressed with my progress. He has the upmost praise for us all. We can do it!

pingle profile image
pingleGraduate

Alaiyo did a super blog a while back about C25k and weight loss

couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

My own experience is that I did not lose any weight for the first 7 weeks or so - I think you are just not covering enough ground to burn the calories. But my shape started to change almost immediately and lots of other people thought I had lost loads of weight.Even my hubby noticed! Over the following months I lost about half a stone and dropped at least a dress size but without doing anything about my diet at all. The best bit is that my weight seems to have stabilised at a lower level so I only put on 2 pounds over Christmas and lost it again straight away and even though I have not been running very reliably recently I have not put the weight back on. I'm hoping to get back into running 3 times a week as the weather gets better and hopefully will gradually lose some more. Definitely measure! I did not and really regret it. You've done brilliantly on the weight loss so far and running will definitely help to keep the weight off. If you're keeping to a healthy diet I suspect you will see some more weight loss very soon but even if you don't the benefits of this programme in terms of fitness, confidence and general well being are amazing. Good luck :-)

VintagePat profile image
VintagePat

Sprinters are bulked up, for explosive activity.

Marathon Runners weigh next to nothing.

Middle distant runners ................ perfect weight.

International Rugby players are sometimes giants and obese....

All are fit....

No point focusing on the scales.

Train to loose the wobbly bits.

Count your progress and your blessings!! xx

tinat0505 profile image
tinat0505

thanks Vintagepat that makes a lot of sense i do feel fab at the moment so im going to enjoy feeling fitter. Pingle i did check out that blog it made interesting reading, by the way well done on graduating yesterday you must be so pleased xx

runner45 profile image
runner45Graduate

I haven't lost any weight but I think that's because I get in from a run incredibly hungry and reward myself with food.

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