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Original poster

To think I'm too fat for C25K?

59 replies

Omzlas · 07/05/2019 15:14

I'm fat. I was a chubby child and that's always stayed. As an adult, I'm been a size 16 but never thinner and I'm now way above that. I did manage to lose 4 stone in 2017 but I was miserable for 9 months and I've piled it all back on now (it was for a close family member's wedding)

I've read a lot about C25K, as well as watching YouTube videos etc but I have a sense of trepidation. I can't even run for a bus without needing oxygen, will I really be able to do it?? Should I work on my overall fitness before starting C25K and see how that feels?

I don't want to run marathons, I want to be able to keep up with my kids and not leave them without a mother before the time they start secondary school is all, an overall baseline of 'reasonably fit' is fine for me

OP posts:
CurtainsAndCords · 07/05/2019 15:15

Just make a start Smile

You can a,ways repeat bits but the whole point is that you're coming from a place of no fitness (the couch!)

mbosnz · 07/05/2019 15:17

I kid you not, I could not run for 20 seconds when I started. C25k has me now running 5 km no worries.

But perhaps you ought to have a GP check-up before you start? That might also give you some confidence.

CurtainsOpen · 07/05/2019 15:17

All you can do is try, and try your best

CMOTDibbler · 07/05/2019 15:18

Just start! You can always do some weeks twice if you really struggle, but you'll surprise yourself.

Bella444 · 07/05/2019 15:19

Yes you can definitely do the C25K but if you have concerns, have a check up with your doctor first.

IndigoHexagon · 07/05/2019 15:19

You aren’t too fat.

Go for it! You’ll be better and faster than everyone sat on the sofa just thinking about starting to exercise! Just take it steady and before you know it, you’ll be running 5km and leaving the kids behind!

ParkingIInPlainSight · 07/05/2019 15:21

Start slow. I was size 16 and just went out early in the morning and did it.

Buy some decent trainers that are designed for running so they give you support. Start slow - repeat the bits you need to repeat. It's amazing how much better you get really quite quickly. I found it helped just putting it in my calendar and going - whatever the weather.

isabellerossignol · 07/05/2019 15:21

Do it. Get a friend to do it with you because it's far far easier with company.

If you're using the app, you can repeat each bit over and over until you can do it comfortably.

But the best thing of all would be to join a running club that are doing a couch 2 5k programme. Running clubs are surprisingly friendly and encouraging places and are full of people who have been where you are now and were once just as terrified as you are.

LosingLola · 07/05/2019 15:22

You really need to be able to walk for at least half an hour before you start. If you can do that you'll be fine but might need to repeat weeks. If you can't then you need to work on walking first.

It's a bit of a deceptive name because it's not literally from sitting on the couch all day to running.

EjectorCrab · 07/05/2019 15:22

You haven’t said how overweight you currently are. Maybe a quick chat with your GP first. Just to check you over and check you’re not going to do yourself any damage (like your knees for example). You can do it though. Honestly. It guides you through the whole thing. If you’re struggling you can repeat weeks.

managedmis · 07/05/2019 15:22

I'd try and lose weight first tbh
You'll find it easier

Littlechocola · 07/05/2019 15:24

I just restarted it today after a year off.
I wheezed the whole way, got a stitch in the first 5 minutes but survived!

Try it! Listen to music to distract yourself from any internal fears.

I’ll be your virtual run buddy if you like

JE17 · 07/05/2019 15:25

When I started I couldn't do 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to keel over. I did not believe that I'd get to 5km ever. After 10 weeks I could jog 40 minutes without stopping. However I did it with a group of colleagues, I'm not sure I could have done it on my own. Do you have someone to do it with for mutual support? The group I did it with were all sizes and ages - everyone managed to do it eventually. Give it a go, stick with it and you might surprise yourself.

theowlwhowasafraidofthedark · 07/05/2019 15:26

You can start. If you find it’s getting too hard then just repeat a week.
Good luck!

AtlasObscura · 07/05/2019 15:27

Just start! Go what you can and repeat each week as many times as you need to before moving in. When I started, I wasn't brave enough to attempt week 1 so did 30 second runs instead.

Run slowly and try to relax. We all had to start at the beginning and you can too!

Good luck xxx

BirthdayCakes · 07/05/2019 15:42

You could do it definitely but it won't be easy - I say this as someone who periodically restarts it and weighs 80kg.. Remember you're hauling all that weight around with you.. I go very early in the morning so no one can see me..

Also it's unlikely to help you lose any weight if that's what you're thinking? But you will feel better and stronger..

Felicitycity · 07/05/2019 15:57

I am overweight and I did it. If I did it anyone can. Not saying I enjoyed it!

Allice · 07/05/2019 16:03

I'm a size 16/18 and I do it, in fact I need to go out shortly.
Take it easy, I'll never run any races or prizes for speed but I'm ok with that

CurlsandCurves · 07/05/2019 16:06

I’m currently 4.5 stone overweight and am in the middle of c25k. You can do it. Apart from week 1 I’ve done every week twice, as I don’t want to move on until I’m comfortable with what I’m doing that week.

Although I am on a weight loss programme, that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m doing it for my heart health and just to see if I can actually run.

There’s a thread in Exercise if you fancy giving it a go.

KnitterOfSocks · 07/05/2019 16:07

I started it when I was 17stone, a couple of years ago.

I'm now 13stone and I've just run my first marathon.

It's the dogs bollocks, and even if you never aspire to run a marathon, it will get you to 5k no problem at all. I could barely get through 30sec when I started and I used to run in the dark so no one would see me.

KnitterOfSocks · 07/05/2019 16:08

I still have 2 stone to lose as well, and I'm still at a BMI of around 28. So I'm not slim at all, but totally at ease with my body now. And I can keep up with my kids!

cliquewhyohwhy · 07/05/2019 16:09

Go for it! I've just started running again, I do laps in my garden to get my stamina up lol.

MyGastIsFlabbered · 07/05/2019 16:12

I'm a size 16 and at least 3 stone overweight. I'm currently on week 5 and am amazed I can run for 5 minutes. I won't pretend it's been easy but I'm getting to the point where I look forward to my runs.

ScottishBadger · 07/05/2019 16:14

I'm a size 24. I'm on week 6
If I can, you can!

helpfulperson · 07/05/2019 16:15

I'm a size 20 and did it. You'll be fine. Don't worry if it takes you a few weeks to get past week one. If you can do the 1 min runs to start just do what you can. I've known people start with alternating walk and slightly faster walk until they were able to run.

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