To be hating couch to 5k

[ihatetorun]

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?

People talk and run?

Run outside! I'm a runner and about hate trradmit running

ihatetorun oh yes I love setting the world to right with my running pal. Actually it’s a good way of keeping your pace in check, you should never be running that fast that you can’t talk.

You have to find something you enjoy to maintain weight loss or even stick to a plan tbh.
I am a keen runner but on the days I’m exhausted from work, I walk on an incline at the gym and catch up on some Netflix on my phone (prop it up on the treadmill)
Don’t force yourself, find something you enjoy that you’ll actually stick too, even if it’s just a walk after dinner every night.

Just wanted to add that I actually loose a lot of weight when I do a lot of incline walking. Usually do an hour with a 10-15% incline. It leaves me sweating but isn’t as much effort as running!

In my younger days when I went to.the gym I.used to know when my enthusiasm was up as I'd sit outside the gym almost in tears at the thought of.going in as I hated it so much. I used to happen regularly after going for 3-4 months, usually when I was a bit fitter - go figure !! I'd stop for a few months then forget and try again, get fed up etc etc. In the end I decided I'd rather be fat and gave up the gym . I found dieting was enough to lose weight anyway, no excercise required but it was impossible to keep off without exercising so I am fat,, thus you may not we want to listen to.me.

I’ve got to week 5 and am fed up with it. The last run I did was the 20 minute one but now they want you to go back to running for 5/8 mins then walking. Think I will ditch it and go it alone now. Increase by a minute or so every time I go out.

I must admit I LOVE knowing that I can run for 20 minutes whereas two/three months ago I couldn’t even run for one minute and almost as soon as I’ve stopped running I’ve recovered and could start again.

I joined a running club and did their beginners session, they start you slow and build you up to 5K over 5 weeks. This was a year and a half ago and I now regularly run 10K and am training for a half marathon. I spend the first 3 KM or so wondering what the bloody hell I'm doing and then I enjoy it good weather or bad. I've slowly lost over a stone and am getting healthier 👍

I hated running and couldn’t run for one minute when I started Couch to 5K. I’m now on Week 6 and running for 25 minutes at a time. I had to repeat loads of the runs at first and had various setbacks with aches and pains but I’m glad I did it.

I personally wouldn’t do it on a treadmill but I know lots of people do.

However ... other forms of exercise are available. If you really hate the idea of running there are numerous other things you could do at the gym. What are you looking to achieve? If you want to lose weight or improve your general fitness there are other types of exercise that probably burn more fat than the treadmill.

Its soo fucking hard! I did it with no previous running experience to prepare for Race for Life 5k.I didn't get further than week 4 but I then jogged/walke a bit/jogged the race in 40 mins which I was so happy with.You can do it!!

Maybe try skating, the aerobic benefits are as good as running. It’s close to a full muscle anaerobic workout. The impact on your joints is significantly lower. And it’s just fun. There is no work to your workout. Just zipping about feeling like a cross between a child and a superhero. Then 6 months later you have the butt of a 20 year old and visible abs.

Just seen the list of things you say you can’t/won’t do.

I would suggest an exercise bike or spin class then. No coordination needed, no running, no weights, no jarring of joints etc, not in water. If you use an exercise bike you can literally do it while watching telly.

@mystupidmistake - you should try the next run. People tend to think it's 'easy' because, as you say, it feels like you're taking a backward step going from 20 mins to intervals once more, but it's surprisingly tough. Of course, you might do it and wonder what I'm on about but I do remember I went into it think it would be easy and soon lost the smile off my face, and then realised others thought the same.

Yanbu
Exercise isn’t all that for weight loss. In fact it just makes you hungry. Best thing for weight loss is diet.
I hate running and anyway my knee can’t take it.
There will be something you enjoy-do that. Nowadays you can do many random activities - I do gymnastics and dance for instance because I love them.
I think doing a sport “to lose weight” is utterly depressing and defeats the whole purpose of it surely? Do it because you can’t imagine not doing it, because you look forward to it, to get better at it?

I'm on week 7 and am doing a 5k this weekend. It's not easy and I don't enjoy but I don't hate it as much either!

I listen to podcasts which I find helps with my pace (ie I don't go too fast!).

My plan for the 5k is to run for 10 then walk for 3, run for 10 again then walk for 3, then run 10 again etc...if I can run for more I will but as long as I get round it I'll be happy!

I couldn't get on with C25K. I hated running outside as I felt too self conscious, and I just couldn't pace myself properly. I found cycling was the answer but I did have a bike already and I do live in the countryside so it is easy for me to escape down a lane where no-one would see me. Also got a fitbit and really pushed myself to walk 10000 steps a day. I've lost a stone in weight, though over a long period of time, I have to confess.

Whatever you do, it has to be something you can sustain otherwise you will simply put the weight back on. I can seriously recommend cycling.

Weight loss is 80/90% diet.

But exercise has lots of benefits. If after giving run/walking a decent go you don’t enjoy it, perhaps try something else! When I was really tired and unfit I walked lots and that was fine for helping weight loss.

I like listening to podcasts at the gym, DH has music playlists.

Am not at all athletic and run at snails pace but can do 10k now and did a 6 mile slow jog recently on holiday.

How far through are you? It was about a month before I didn't hate every second!

Prolonged cardio is not good for anyone. least of all women, lifting weights is the way to go to lose fat.
If you hate it don't do it. I wouldn't run for anything, not even a bus.

I’ve did C25K earlier this year and run a couple of times a week now. I still don’t enjoy it, I’m fact I want to give up after 5 minutes every single time.

However, the sense of achievement I feel at the end of a run makes me want to carry on. I’m still hoping that one day I’ll enjoy it.

I cannot run on a treadmill though, I find it so much harder.

My advice would be to carry on for a while if you can, just to see if it’s something that you end up liking.

Also, I find other runners very friendly and non judgemental. When I did my first Parkrun, there were runners that had finished who stayed behind shouting words of encouragement to the slow ones like me!

My hope is that I learn to love it! It’s free and can be done to my timetable rather than having to fit classes in at specific times.

Spinning?
I love spin class as I can't run
Weight are great though...
Aerial hoop and indoor climbing also good

I must admit when I did it I found it hard to start with, but I'm very glad I persevered. It could be worth trying for another couple of weeks and if you really don't enjoy it find something else. I did it to help lose weight too and I lost three stones though it took a while.

Don't do it if you hate it. Exercise should be positive. Try out a few classes and see what you like. Go swimming. Try swimming classes. Bike riding. Yoga. Zumba. There's so many options