I Can't Run

[SlightlyJaded]

I need to lose weight. I don't have scales in the house anymore but have - in the past couple of years - crept up from a size 12 to a size 16. I am going through the menopause and finding it harder to lose weight than I used to. I have been doing 5:2 religiously for about 4 months and the weight is shifting slightly, but very slowly.

I feel heavy and unfit but have always tried to keep moving a bit. I walk the dog for at least an hour a day, play tennis about once a week and cycle if out and about locally - but that's it. I feel like I should be running. Everyone I know runs, all my female friends are endlessly running and it seems like an easy thing to do, but I just can't run. I tried again yesterday and the minute I started, my shins felt heavy and sore, my chest felt tight, my hips hurt and I remembered how much I hate it. I ran for about a minute, stopped, caught my breath and tried again and then gave up. I just can't run and I don't know why. I know you have to build up stamina but I feel like I am not built for it - is that a thing or am I just lazy? I can happily cycle about 10K in a stretch, play tennis for a couple of hours, walk the dog up hills, but I can't run for a minute and I really want think I need to. Help!

Oh, and do remember that you don't have to look like errr....(struggles to think of name of a famous runner)...well, anyone who runs professionally. You know all legs and long stride and proper arm movements and all that.

I flail my way, there is no other word, around the local lanes. Red faced, sweaty, short little legs barely keeping my bum off the road surface. The trick is not to care what you look like - just to get out there do it.

I’m another Couch25k fan. I’m in my 50s, have done no exercise since school. It really works. Don’t look at the big picture of 5k. It’s not about that. It’s about getting you gradually running (doesn’t matter how fast) for 30 minutes. Just do each session in turn and follow the programme. If you can walk briskly for 30 minutes while chatting to someone, you can do it. But it won’t necessarily help you lose weight.

You have to be really careful starting to run, if you've not done that before (especially if starting older than teens/20s). It's really easy to do damage.

The C25K online plans are good, but for a starter it's easy to overdo it. For example, it's critical to have the right running shoes, it's MUCH easier to start running on grass or a real track. etc.

Do follow a program, but go slow (much slower than you might like to!). Any element of running is a good complement to your other exercise. Even if it is a few hundred yards!

I can’t run and have never been able to. After an injury I’ve been told I have to learn how to run again. I’m not to go on tarmac, paths e.g. in the forest are better. To run for 20 seconds and then walk until it doesn’t hurt any more etc. I can now manage about 40 seconds running before I have to walk. By the end of my “run” it’s about 10 seconds!

I am really active but don’t like running. It’s a mixture of the fact that I get really heavy legs and that I find it the most boring autopilot exercise there is.

What worked for me when I wanted to lose some weight, was a mixture of cycling, HIIT and weights.

Zombie thread with random bump with a message about a drawer runner...

I don’t run. Everyone I know that is my age and has run regularly now has a face like a bag of spanner’s.

I hike every day and whimsy I sometimes dawdle to admire the countryside I also stride along making sure I’m swinging my arms etc.

@Reiningitin

Zombie thread with random bump with a message about a drawer runner...

I’ve just seen it and reported it!

At a size 16, you are going to struggle to run. Go easy on yourself!

Don't torture yourself with something you are not ready for.

Have you ever tried an elliptical/ cross trainer? That is a bit like running but without the impact, and can be really good for slightly overweight people. I use it when I go to the gym and it feels a lot like running (but I can do it!) :)

At the end of the day if you are struggle this much, it's because your body is telling you you're not ready for it. By doing it you are going to be putting way too much pressure on your joints, because you are overweight. You need to lose some weight first and then start running when you are not as heavy.

There are plenty of ways to lose weight without running.