Couch to 5K misery

[Wacko073]

Hi Guys hope you're all well. I tried the couch to 5K as per advice on NHS website. Having had a previous ACL reconstruction 14 years ago, i felt my knee should be ok, but to no avail. I've had to stop running all together now as I've damaged it again. I desperately want to lose weight, so I'm cross training and cycling instead along with strengthening exercises in the gym. I've lost over a stone in 4 months but need to bring it down even more. I eat really healthily, drink too much alcohol, wine and gin mostly, and exercise when injury permits. I need some other options to help lose weight quicker. I'm 44 years old with high blood pressure and I want to be better. Any advice will be well received. Many thanks

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum Wacko73 😊

First of all, to help you find your way around, and enjoy all the things we have on offer, please read the Welcome Newbies Post here healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Take your time to read it carefully as it has lots of information.

Secondly, you will be pleased to know you can lose weight without exercise, in fact it’s far more important to eat less that exercise for fat loss. However, exercise has many benefits and you will be improving inner strength and general fitness. So very well done for losing over a stone, that’s a fabulous achievement 😊👏🎉.

But as you say, now you need to think about food and eating healthier, and for that you will need some knowledge of calories, and also your own personal calories target. Please use this calculator here nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Healthyw... Which will suggest a target range for you based on your weight heights activity levels etc It’s often higher than you think and we always advise starting towards the top of the range, being hungry is the single biggest cause of weight loss failure.

For your own privacy and safety online we suggest that you to lock your posts by selecting ‘followers in my community’ when you write a new post. You may wish to edit yours as it is currently unlocked Please read our security post here. healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Out of interest, can I ask how you found us?

Best wishes for your weight loss journey

[Floppy123]

Hi Wacko,ouch on ACL reconstruction. I tried couch to 5k a few years back and had plantar fasciitis just as I nearly completed it. I was quite dismayed and it took a long time to get better. I won't run again now as it completely put me off but I must admit I did really enjoy it.

When I started on this healthy plan I really thought I would not lose weight as I was not exercising. Not exercising at the beginning has not slowed my weight loss down at all. Now I walk 50 mins with the dog early every morning, it's quite hilly where I live so its a good walk. I have started cycling and I do my new love Yoga 90 min sessions 3 - 4 times a week.T o be honest I do not want to do any joint impact exercise so this suits me down to the ground. I did my 1 st headstand last week in yoga at 51 years and am definitely getting stronger. I eat a low carb high-fat diet and its great for me, maybe have a look at the daily diaries and join a weekly weigh in, they do help a lot with ideas and motivation. Good luck.

[S11m]

I would not recommend running for overweight adults, as it so often results in knee problems, even if you use good shock-absorbing trainers... ¿Does the NHS not realise this?Cycling is so much better.

[Hidden in reply to S11m]

I began couch to 5k as an overweight adult and I'm still marginally overweight and have for the most part avoided injury... plenty of people at a healthy weight can get injuries too. I think it's important to bear in mind there are more factors such as the need to stretch well after running and people pushing too far/fast too soon. I wouldn't like people to think they're too overweight to try couch to 5k. In my opinion it's an absolute lifesaver. Without it I'd never have kickstarted my weight loss - nor maintained it.

[katy9617]

hey wacko073 and welcome. it sounds like you have it all together somewhat. I know you wont want to hear this, but when I quit drinking, I lost weight. it was not just the no alcohol that did it but it helped. I have lost slowly 28 pounds with a new healthy way of eating and very little exercise. I have bad knees and bad ankles and really have issues walking so I cannot do most exercise. but I have still lost weight and you can to! chin up doll, it works when you work it. come back and chit chat often and you will find it helps a bunch.