Finally taken the first steps....

[Runningagain]

As I'm writing this, I'm already doubting myself, thinking that I'm going to fail again... (how pathetic does that sound?!?!)... Time to stop the pity-party and get on with it.

I used to be a road runner. I absolutely loved it, and have run many marathons and Ultra Marathons. Over the last 5 years, my life has been an emotional roller coaster ride , and it's finally time to focus on getting healthy, so I can be the Mom I want to be to my children...

I love being active, and enjoy exercise - I've always been active, even though I've always been overweight, and am excited to be MOVING again! I have about 45kgs to lose, but I'm breaking it down into 10kg chunks. I started my new eating plan last week and started some very gentle jogging. My biggest frustration at the moment is that I'm really excited about the running, and would love to push to do a bit more, but my body is saying stop. My lower back is giving hassles and my one knee is also complaining. I think it's because I'm probably too heavy to be running, so I'm thinking of doing some strength work in the interim, until I've lost a bit more weight before I add more strain to my joints by running.

Are there any other runners out there who started out really heavy, and do you have any advice?

[SueTufty]

Hiya,

Wow lady you sound so organised and impressive I've no advice just wanted to say be proud of what you're doing now it's amazing

[Runningagain in reply to SueTufty]

Oh wow, thanks, SueTufty! What a lovely complement, and so nice to hear your encouragement. You've made me smile

[fibronfedup]

Hey welcome to the group. Having a love of exercise is a great start and as you get fitter you will be able to get back to the things you love. Im not a runner but a lot of people have talked about the benefits of the the couch 2 5k plan. It builds up stamina as you go over 9 weeks. Its on the nhs site along with the 12 week diet plan. Have a look at it, it might be something you enjoy doing, there is also a strength and flex 5 week plan on there could be good starting point for you. All the best

[nhs2015]

I started c25k with the NHS weight loss program. Because I was so unfit, it took we a few weeks reaching week one of c25k: I would jog 30 seconds at a time, then from lamp post to lamp post, then did two jogs, then three ..... I eventually manage week one with total of six minutes of jogging in one minute increments. I was so elated. After 12 weeks, I am doing week 4 and will start week 5 Monday. I find that my legs are firm instead of their wobbly fat previous state. In my younger days I used to do mountain climbing so my legs have always been strong and therefore just changed to a wobbly mess as I got older and obese. All I can say is take it easy first and maybe push yourself a tiny bit as you go along. Listen to your body. Listen to Laura. Make sure you have a rest in between jogging days. Yes I think strenght work would help because it will make your weak areas stronger. It is probably safe for you to just do strenght for a few weeks, then try again jogging. I also don't believe the running will make you loose weight, it is Healthy eating that does it. So loose a few kilos then slowly build up your running. Good on you for starting this.

[nhs2015]

Could you give us the link to this strengthening program please? Thanks

[Windswept1]

nhs.uk/livewell/c25k/pages/...

This is brilliant and also a very active, positive & helpful health unlocked forum.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5k

There are also links to strength & flex podcasts

Good luck with your journey

[Hairyman]

There is a better way! As a man whose feet yust hate the collision with solid concrete let me assure you that it is Not neccesary

So Please stiop hitting your lhip,knee and ankle with a 45kg hammer with every step you take.

Instead take note of the "Added sugar is toxic" warning that are at last beginning to appear on this site.

Like you I love exercise and am finding the 10lbs I have lost in the 8 weeks since I enrolled on this site makes it much easier and more pleasant.

Does low fat equal weight loss, Put that into the green bar at top right, it may change everything you thought about "good" food.

I am / was a SUGAR addict. Last night I eat a genuine liquorice allsort, then another then...

Got it? 400 calories and 15 minutes later I stopped.

Refined sugar is addictive. There is an awful lot of it in JAM. In the kind of quantity most of us use it is poisoning us..

Get some resistance bands to help you exercise. Do the fitness and flex sets on this site and walk not run back to fitness your body will thank you.