Aching...

[Caroliney]

So, I started week 1 (again) on Monday, along with a resolution to finally get out the old yo-yo diet routine. The run went well, and afterwards I decided to do a few stretches and sit ups and felt very proud of myself. Afterwards, I felt like my body was being more co-operative and I had a new rush of motivation to carry on and get fit and healthy for good. As well as this exercise routine, I'm counting calories (I stepped on the scales on Monday and was unpleasantly surprised!) and making an extra effort to be more active e.g. taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to work rather than getting the bus etc etc.

Yesterday, however, I woke up and getting out of bed - which is usually an ordeal on the best of days - was like climbing out of a vat of syrup. My stomach muscles were burning, my legs felt delicate, and my bum is best left unmentioned... as ever, I suppose!

In a way, I liked the aches - it felt like my muscles were saying hello. And it proves my running and stretches work!

Run 2 today was perhaps hampered by the remnants of the muscle aches, but I got through it, felt happy with how I'd done, and now I have to go and stretch, press up, sit up and plank again.... oh dear.

I think perhaps this blog is as long as it is to try and put off the 15 minutes of hard work I'm about to put myself through. Let's hope my muscles aren't as loud with their greetings tomorrow morning....

[greenlegs Graduate]

Just don't go and overdo it and put yourself off now! You can get fit without it hurting.

SLOW AND STEADY! It is so tempting to feel that we have to go for the 'no pain, no gain' thing, but we really and truly don't. It's an out-of-date and not very helpful way to look at exercise, I think. (But then I would!)

I've done the whole 9 weeks without any real pain at all (a few minor twinges, and bit of mental turbulence here and there, by physically fine) and that has made it so much easier to keep going. OK, so my progress was slow, but I could always see that I was making forward progress, and getting fitter every week, and I didn't have to take time out for injuries. I seem now, post-graduation last week, to be able to suddenly pick up speed without my body complaining about it.

And I still found plenty to yabber on about!

[motwoosotdot]

I haven't had any pain yet and am onto week 3. Have you had a look at the strength & flexibility program on NHS choices? I have done week 1 of it and it was quite easy with no pain and am looking forward to week 2. You do it on the rest days in between runs. Good luck with the calorie counting and the running!