Couch to 5k

[Newstart12]

Please advise me. I’ve decided to do something about my weight as I’m very overweight and unfit. People have recommended this APP but I’m embarrassed of running outside as in the past I’ve had nasty things shouted at me. My question is can I still do this and will it help with my goals? So this morning I did the walking bit on my step and the running bit I did jogging on the spot

I think there's a Facebook group for this but there will be people here who can advise.
However, put some obvious headphones when you are out and listen to some 'running music'. You won't hear others' nonsense and they'll be discouraged to yell at you if they think you can't hear them.
All the best- go for it!

Couch to 5 is really effective. You will have earphones in anyway to listen to the run/walk queues so block out the idiots. Most people will be mentally giving you the thumbs up and a 'go on girl!!' Good luck!

If you look on the exercise board, there are really great support threads there. It’s a brilliant way to get fit. I agree that headphones are wonderful for drowning out any negative comments.

All movement will help so doing that is great, but don't expect to be able to run a 5k at the end doing it this way, on the spot isn't the same.

Remember that weight loss is mostly achieved through diet so make sure you focus on that if you want to reach your goals.

I've done it about 5 times, 1st time it took me about 6 weeks to get past week 2 ... But it works, helped me shift weight.
Headphones in, get a good playlist, go to a park rather than round the streets if you can.
You'll see lots of people out jogging / walking etc, of all shapes and sizes. Will you encounter the odd arsehole... Maybe, but 99% of people either won't notice you or admire what you're doing.
Go for it and good luck.

Good for you. Best of luck

Couch to 5K is a great programme

It wil definitely help you and get you fit, don't do it inside, honestly just get out there you can do it! Running is SO good for your body and mind. I was very self conscious at the start but I wear my baseball cap and headphones and I just keep my head down and ignore everyone.

Get some earphones, get your music on, start the app, & go for it. It's brilliant!

I second what someone up thread said
99% of people will be mentally cheering you on if they saw you because they will know from personal experience how difficult fitness can be when you’re unfit

Shame the 1% is the % you hear.

Headphones all the way 👊🏻

It’s really great. I’m terrible at running and certainly it a natural athlete 😳 but it’s a great way to get fitter.

i started it a few times, then just decided I would go for it and do every session without fail and it worked!

If you're really anxious you could start with the NHS walk for fitness app, but I’d give c25k a go.

Good luck

Have a look at run together to see if there are any local groups doing C25k. I finally managed to complete it back in March thanks to finding a lovely supportive local group. It is such a wonderful sense of achievement so I would thoroughly recommend.

OP, please don't worry about the idiots who want to bring you down. There will be many more cheering you on (probably silently).
There are loads of good, encouraging running Facebook groups with lovely people in. And many inspiring stories. I am in a great one called Running at 40 Plus, but that is just one of many (and you are probably not 40+)
Oh and I joined a local women's running group which does Couch to 5k twice a year. Non judgemental and brilliant.

All the best to you.

I started last year and used to go out early like 5 or 6 ish to avoid people. Sometimes used to take my dog with me as motivation. Best advice is to pace yourself so you don't overdo it straight away and knacker yourself out too much and don't be afraid to redo a week or a session if you need to.

Go for it, I started running when I was 17 stones, just stuck my headphones on and went.

im now almost five stones down (yes there was some dieting as well) and running regularly. I’ve never experienced anything except “well done” occasionally.

Anyone yells anything….ignore and remember you are lapping them sitting in their vans with their cigarettes.

Well done 👏 Couch to 5k is brilliant for building up fitness in a sensible way. Whilst you can probably do the early weeks running around the garden or on the spot it will make the later weeks harder than they need to be. Perhaps try a circuit around your home, where you feel comfortable or maybe drive to a local park ? New housing estates are good too, everyone minds their own business and the tarmac is smooth ! ..

The other thing you could do is look at runtogether.co.uk for a c25k group or local running groups may have a c25k programme. That way you can meet and run with others who probably feel exactly the same as you .

final word .. just run / jog slowly ! Its not school sports day and you need to be running at a manageable pace you can maintain for the whole run section. Also remember that the walk section is about getting your heart rate back down, not about walking as fast as you can.

Couch 2 5K is brilliant. I did this with my daughter during the second lockdown when we were both putting on weight after months in front of screens. It's designed to go slowly enough that it doesn't put you off or push you harder than you are ready to go and we comfortably got to our goal (I wasn't hugely unfit but I needed to get into shape and my DD hadn't done any exercise for two years). I highly recommend it.

In terms of what other people think:

The vast majority of passers-by won't even notice - there are so many people out running these days. A minority will think and may even say "good for you". If one or two small-minded arseholes catcall you then fuck them. Seriously. Life is too short to allow your progress to be derailed by the opinions of morons.

I was out doing week 4 this morning. Big fat thing, sweating like a pig, breathing out my behind. Busy river walkway, couldn't say if anyone noticed me! Go for it and good luck!

I haven’t run for ages and think anyone getting out there is a hero. There will always be tossers that have nothing better to do than pull other people down but you mustn’t let a minority of dickheads stop you doing the things you want to do. As pp’s have suggested, get some headphones so you can’t hear them.

You’re taking positive action for yourself and doing great which is far more than most people. In fact you’ve inspired me to have a go. Keep it up op.

Go to a gym.I do couch to 5k at a local leisure centre that has no posers in it.A treadmill feels like a private space and noone looks at you i promise.I pay 30 per month and could use the pool or do classes aswell.

I get what you mean, when I started it I used to go out after dark so no-one would see me. But then I realised like others have said most people are probably rooting for you. Whenever I’d seen someone running I thought ‘I wish I could run’.

The couch to 5k did really help me with weight loss alongside doing slimming world, I haven’t done or followed slimming world or any other kind of diet for almost 6 years now but I’ve kept off the weight I lost by running regularly. Honestly it was one of the best things I ever did.

Well done! Just, well done! You have taken the first step. Please don’t let anyone put you off. Ignore the haters. You have many many more people rooting for you than you have haters shouting horrible things.

If things get you down, come back here and re-charge from the support you are getting here.

Stay strong and the best of luck to you.