Running & Wobbling

I used to be really skinny, I even once asked a doctor how to put on weight. He advised me to eat cream cakes. Since I went into the perimenopause early I have put on a lot of weight, so I decided to start running. I'm in week 1 & have done 2 "runs" so far. I'm 43. Would be nice to "meet" more wobbly older runners...

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to the forum! We’re all shapes and sizes here. The thing we’ve all got in common is our aim to run more and have a brilliant time doing it!

There’s a brilliant little guide to the programme here with lots of helpful hints and tips.  Well worth a read.  Most important is keeping it slow and steady at a pace where you can talk in full sentences without gasping.  Most of us go too fast! Recovery days between runs are absolutely essential too. healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Glad you’ve already got started. How have you found your runs? I personally find a good supportive pair of leggings and sports bra absolutely key for minimising the unwanted wobbles!

Really good luck to you 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

PS: 43 is not an older runner!!!

[Hidden in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Not as tough as I thought but I have learned to try not to over do it with other things afterwards!

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Well done for starting Hidden . When I began C25K nearly 2 years ago it felt like I might need to buy a bra for my bum, it jiggled around so much. I'd like to be able to say that I am now a svelte skinny advertisement for the programme but I enjoy my food too much to be able to achieve that, even if I wanted to, BUT my bum no longer feels like it needs some form of support

Running won't, by itself, make you lose weight. Unfortunately you need to watch what you eat to achieve that. What it will do is tone you up, the whole myth about fat converting to muscle is largely true I think. Being able to run 5 km or more has done more for my self esteem and body image than I could ever have imagined.

Since completing C25K I am in absolute awe of what my chubby, lumpy legs can do. I no longer give a toss if other people might be judging my looks. I wear lycra, I wear shorts, I wear what makes me feel good. Yes, I still wobble from time to time but hey-ho, life's too short to let it stop me doing what I need to do.

This is a fantastic community, you are by no means among the oldest here. Let us know how you get on, we will be with you every step of the way. C25K definitely gets better the further you go, be prepared to be AMAZED at yourself!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Being able to run 5 km or more has done more for my self esteem and body image than I could ever have imagined.

This has been one of the best things that’s happened for me as well. Instead of constantly wishing I was thinner, I feel really proud of what my body could do. When I’m feeling more positive about myself, that really helps me eat better as well to help fuel the running or the recovery. Positivity brings more positivity. Thanks for sharing!

[Yesletsgo Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I'm really lucky that I never had to worry about my weight until I hit my 40s. I never saw being skinny as a desirable goal either. My Mum had cancer when I was 13, she dropped from a size 14 to a size 8 in a matter of weeks so I associate being underweight with being very sick. Happy to say she made a full recovery and lived to 83. She had exquisite taste in clothes so I, a shrimp of a teenager, was the same size as her and probably the best dressed girl in my class thanks to borrowing her stuff 😁

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Really glad to hear you mum made a full recovery. I bet you’ve got some lovely memories of borrowing clothes! ❤️

My poor hairdresser had cancer over lockdown and lost loads of weight. She found it really frustrating how people kept telling her how great she looked and asking for tips…while she was in the middle of chemoradiotherapy. People say really unhelpful things without really thinking.

[Yesletsgo Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yes, fetishising weight loss can be unhealthy. I remarked to a close male friend that a girl we both knew was looking very thin. He said I was probably jealous. Turned out she had anorexia, incredibly sad. Likewise we need to be careful when people who've been very overweight but lost it show us their 'before' pictures. If it becomes all about appearance rather than the person it could be hurtful.

[Roxdog Graduate]

Many of us are a lot older! You'll be great!

[Pugwash Graduate]

Fancy being prescribed cream cakes!!! Well done for starting running - there are many more of us wobbly older runners than you might imagine. Running won't help you lose much weight on its own but with me, as I improved over the weeks, it encouraged me to eat better in order to maintain progress. I slip back every now and then (I'm in a slipped state currently) but hopefully, you'll find as I do that running lifts my mood and helps me in other areas of life - like dodging the cream cakes. Good luck - you'll find loads of support and good advice here... and zero trolls, come on in!

[Hidden in reply to Pugwash]

In the nineties, doctors had different ideas!

[Missmeadow Graduate]

We’ll done for getting started. I’m definitely a wobbly older runner at 63. I’m starting week 8 today. My body feels stronger and less wobbly than when I began. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, try to control your breathing and go slowly. You’ll be amazed at how much you progress by just trusting the programme. I found the article on here about slow running very helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Missmeadow]

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