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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be hating couch to 5k

99 replies

ihatetorun · 03/09/2019 16:21

I can’t stand it. I’m sat outside the gym trying to force myself to go in.

I’m wondering if it’s worth persevering or not? I know everyone says it’s worth it but is it?

OP posts:
LadyWithLapdog · 03/09/2019 16:22

Why do you need the gym for this?

Original poster
ihatetorun · 03/09/2019 16:23

I don’t really want to run outside. I don’t really want to run at all, but especially not outside.

OP posts:
LadyWithLapdog · 03/09/2019 16:23

IMO worth it but take it slow and easy. Do not overdo it. I know of dozens who have and have been out of action due to injuries.

ThatUserNamesTakenTryAnother · 03/09/2019 16:24

If I were you I would jog round to the chippy for my tea and pretend I've been Grin

PrincessSarene · 03/09/2019 16:25

What was your motivation for starting couch to 5k? What were you hoping to achieve?

If you think about the answers to these questions, it might help you feel more motivated to carry on?

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 03/09/2019 16:25

No point in struggling on if you hate every second. Try and find a type of exercise you enjoy, you’ll be much more likely to stick to it. You can always come back to running further down the line and try again.

PooWillyBumBum · 03/09/2019 16:25

It took me ages of forced running to love running and now I truly do. But I would really urge you to try once or twice outside! Especially in a lovely park, on a mild and pretty day. It goes a lot faster!

5foot5 · 03/09/2019 16:26

How far have you got?

DD and I both started it. I have to admit that I decide to "have a little break" after week 3 because I was getting pain in my calves. DD thinks I wasn't doing warm up properly (I wasn't). However, I was about to go on a walking holiday and I didn't want to mess myself up for that so I decide to have a break from it. Erm, I sort of haven't been back to it. I did feel a sort of achievement while I was doing it that I could actually complete the distance.

DD carried on by herself and has done a 5K fun run and intends to try another.

However, she is 23. I am 57.

ComtesseDeSpair · 03/09/2019 16:27

All exercise is hard at first if you’re unfit / overweight / not used to doing it. It gets easier and therefore more enjoyable and starts to give you something out of it once your body starts responding and your fitness improves.

That said: what’s the alternative? Is there a type of exercise you think you’d enjoy? Swimming? Spin? Weights? Running doesn’t suit everyone. But if your ideal alternative is sitting on the sofa and that’s all you’d do if you stopped Couch25K, then absolutely persevere.

ADUTT7 · 03/09/2019 16:27

I’m currently on week 2 and actually starting to find it easier and enjoying it more now. I prefer drinking wine and eating chocolate but needs must !

Original poster
ihatetorun · 03/09/2019 16:28

Princess to be honest it was/is just to lose weight.

I’ve heard running is is the best exercise for this. But I hate it so much I’m almost tempted to stay overweight!

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 03/09/2019 16:29

Also agree with trying outdoor running. It is much more enjoyable to see scenery, even if that’s only a park or some streets, than to be in a treadmill with nothing to focus on except the screen telling you how much further you have left to run.

Dontlikeoranges · 03/09/2019 16:29

Try joining Run Mummy Run on Facebook - it's a fantastic supportive community with loads of people of all abilities and definitely plenty also starting out on c25k - it's a great place for advice, support and motivation xxx

Dontlikeoranges · 03/09/2019 16:30

Didn't mean to put all those kisses - was swapping between writing to my kid and posting! Am not a hun honest 🤣

ComtesseDeSpair · 03/09/2019 16:30

Running is not the best exercise for weight loss - and I speak as a committed runner who really enjoys it. Weights are the best for weight loss and long term keeping it off.

Chocolateandamaretto · 03/09/2019 16:30

How far in are in?

Chocolateandamaretto · 03/09/2019 16:30

*are you!

DollyPlastic · 03/09/2019 16:32

It totally fucked my knee. I wish I hadn't done it.

Northernsoullover · 03/09/2019 16:32

I think any exercise helps with weight loss. I gained a lot of weight at the beginning of the year and took up dance fit and pilates. Exercise is not as important as diet for weight loss but exercising regularly made me feel better about myself and I could focus on what I was eating.
There is a saying you can't outrun the fork!

NewGrandad · 03/09/2019 16:33

Try None To Run. Similar to C25K but a bit easier at the start.

geekone · 03/09/2019 16:35

Never do anything you hate when it comes to exercise, you just won’t stick at it then you will blame al exercise. Honestly find a walking group near you I run in a running/walking group and the walkers do 4 miles 3 times a week. If that’s more exercise than you do now then bonus plus fresh air, company and it’s great for MH. I run with the group but I walk alone with my dog.

The running machine is just soul destroying. Running while quite overweight is also terrible for your joints.

If you can face it, strength and conditioning training is good for your bones and helps shape your body. However again if your don’t like it, don’t do it.

Pipandmum · 03/09/2019 16:40

Hiit is better and weight training. But it’s really what you (don’t) eat that will make you loose weight.

InvisibleWomenMustBeRead · 03/09/2019 16:41

If you really don't like it, then don't do it as there's no point doing something you hate. If you're a member of a gym, look into the classes they offer, try other exercises (cross trainer is great for burning calories, rowing machine is great for not putting strain on joints etc) or see about getting a personal trainer. It should be enjoyable (or at least feel enjoyable when you're finished), not something you dread.

Pitterpatterpettysteps · 03/09/2019 16:46

Why don’t you want to run outside? Have you tried? Honestly it’s so much nicer! If you feel self conscious about running in public, try running very early in the morning? It’s such a great way to start the day

MountPheasant · 03/09/2019 16:46

2 points from someone who started, then bailed on, c25k, also in a gym.

  1. Run outdoors. The treadmill doesn’t work for me because you can always shut it off. If you run outdoors and run away from home, you have to keep running to get back again.
  1. Ditch c25k and focus on your own pace. The way I did it was- run. When you absolute cannot run another step, pick a point about 5-10 yards away and don’t stop until you hit it. Then walk until you can run again, then repeat. IME, pushing through that pain barrier a little bit each time ramped me up so much faster, and knowing I could stop when I WANTED to made it easier to keep going.

Keep it up OP- learning to run was the best thing I ever did.