You CAN do it if you try!

[Yebam]

So I started Couch to 5K back at the end of January. I knew it was going to be a challenge for me and I was NEVER going to complete it in 9 weeks.

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in my early 20's and before that I was a pretty active/sporty person. I suffered pretty badly for many years, some days unable to move even to get out of bed, I went through all the drug options they could give me and I'm now on a biologic, unfortunately one of the side affects is weight gain. Now in my early 40's and with it under control to a certain extent I wanted to get myself fit and hopefully lose some weight. I hadn't realised exactly how unfit I had become, when I started I couldn't complete the first 60 second run in Week 1.

Nevertheless, I have persevered and I graduated to Week 2 back at the start of May (only 4.5 months to do Week 1). I've been trying to complete that week ever since. There were a few interruptions due to illness but I have kept going and yesterday I decided to give Run 1 in Week 3 a try. I had zero expectations of completing it as it's quite a big jump for me from the previous week.

i am over the moon to report that I completed the entire run on my first attempt. Both 3 minute run sections were tough, but I completed them without stopping. I have shocked myself with this and have absolutely no idea how I did it, but I now have the encouragement I need to keep this going. I am determined to complete the program and at 4 to 7 months for each week, I could be finished as early as 2021 or as late as 2023, whichever it is, I will do it.

[charisma]

Well done! Good to have a goal that keeps you focussed and positive.

And also great that meds are working for you. You’ve persevered through various setbacks, including surgery. You have positivity and determination. 🙂

[rab1874]

Well done Yebam no easy feat with having this disease but you persevered 👏

[Brushwork]

Brilliant! Well done.

Perseverance, pays off.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Yebam & welcome to us here at NRAS. I'm pleased this has helped you so much, especially having had the disease as long as you have & from a relatively young age. Just a thought though, do you involve anyone for personal advice such as a Rheumatology Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist? Just a tad concerned about the stress you may be putting on your joints being a relatively new found exercise.

I hope you enjoy being here & well done on your enthusiasm for getting fit.

[Yebam in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi, having had this disease for such a long time, I now have a good relationship with my rheumatology team and they are all aware of what I am doing. They have actively encouraged me to keep it up and are very impressed with my progress so far. The aim is to lose some weight which will hopefully relieve some of the already existing pressure on my joints.

[stbernhard]

Absolutely fantastically brilliant! You are such a role model and have my admiration. I know how much difference perseverance and fitness can make. I am proud of you.

[Thingybob]

Fabulous !! Go girl!!! You have inspired me ! I bought a pedometer a month ago and its still in the box . Im gonna get it out today and set some goals ! You are one very determined lady 💪

[Hidden]

Well gone 👏👏👏👏what an achievement

[jbzm]

Hi, I'm new to the site. Diagnosed with Adrenal Insufficiency in December 2016 (totally undetectatble cortisol and ACTH), hypothyroidism in May 2018 and RA November 2018, although it had been quite clearly there since december 2016. To cap it all my long-standing inflammatory asthma has had bibasal bronchiectasis added to the mix in the last few months, not necessarily a good idea with MTX, but hey!

However, before the thyroid issue was diagnosed I was very suddenly gaining weight at an alarming rate having been the sort of annoying person who, until mid 40's actually tried to actively put weight on. I too embarked on the couch to 5k (along with my long-suffering husband for support and safety due to the AI) and was resigned to never actually get to the stage where I would do 5k in one go. We are still not there but did get to the 10 min runs before having to stop in the winter last year. We started again in spring but have had lots of other 'stuff' going on so meaning we don't get out too frequently so back to 5 min or 8 min runs (week 5? 6?) depending on how I feel.

The point of this ramble, we kept putting off moving on to week 2, then week 3 etc thinking they would be too hard. In actual fact I found the longer runs (you still run for the same length of time, just less of them) easier to do. Sometimes we stopped the clock and had a slightly longer walk before the last run, but once moving, as long as I set the pace a little slower, keeping going seems to be better than lots of stops and starts.

I asked my consultants (rheumatologist, endocrine and respiratory) along with RA physio about running and all were in favour for healthy heart, bone strength etc and weren't concerned about joints. It is worth checking with your team to be sure it's ok for you but physio can help protect knees with work on quads and glutes, just make sure the RA podiatrist is happy with the support, cushioning and drop in your running shoe.

Keep going! Hopefully we'll both get there by the end of next year!

[StormySeas]

Many congratulations! It’s brilliant to hear about people’s personal successes, great or small. That’s no mean achievement - hope you feel proud!