Very proud of myself tonight

[benandholli]

Been for a run tonight! I used couch25k, so alot of walking involved but I made a start, and that’s the main thing. Only problem was when I went faster than a certain speed I very nearly wet myself 😳 3 children and 2 c sections doesn’t help!!

Any tips to keep the motivation ?! I am 2 stone over weight and 5ft 4 so it shows !

Well done op. 5'4 and starting it in 2 weeks!
Watching the scales drop will keep you going
..

Well done! Thats really amazing. I did it for a while on the treadmill in the gym.but never plucked up the courage to run outside. Keep it up. You don't have to go fast at all!

Well done you! 🥇The first of many.

I am proud of you. I can't even run a bath.
Keep it up 😊

Well done @benandholli 🏃‍♀️ 🌟👍

I was a middle distance runner in my youth but I don’t run anymore because my knees are dodgy.

I do a lot of weight training and classes like body pump and body combat. When I started, I was on the lowest weights for body pump and could not complete all the moves/exercises in body combat. I could barely do 5 sit ups!

Now I am one step away from the heaviest weights in pump, I can do all the combat workout and I can complete the core/anbdominal exercise sections. I’ve also lost 1.5 stones (over a year).

The biggest motivator for me is seeing and feeling my improvement. Sure, it took a while, but knowing the hard work has paid off spurs me on.

(I’ve had a problem with alcohol but I’ve gone completely AF which is helping. Nothing beats waking up feeling fresh then exercising and feeling stronger and fitter.)

So just keep going! Baby steps. Don’t get despondent if you have days where you gain weight or feel like you just cannot exercise. Don’t try to achieve too much too soon - take it slow. Once you see improvement over weeks/months, it will really spur you on. Good luck!!

Well done OP! Couch 2 5k is the best invention ever! I was also 2 stone overweight, freshly post partum and hadn’t exercised in years when I started. Very proud to report that I now run 20km a week. I absolutely love it for my mind as much as my body. Keep at it the benefits are so worth it x

I did couch to 5k a few years ago and I do ultra marathons now!! Keep going, such a good way to get into running.

Good for u op.

Buy yourself some lovely shower gel and body lotion that you are only allowed to use after you’ve been for a run! That and enjoy your clearer mind and improved fitness!

That’s amazing OP, I have been thinking of doing this for a while and not quite got around to it…

Try Dr Melissa Oleson on YouTube for short exercise routines you can do at home to help with your pelvic floor, they’re really good.

Keep going. I wear period knickers for any exercise (and general day to day!)

Being a beginner runner is so much fun. You are constantly hitting new milestones. Furthest you've ran without stopping, fastest you've ran and both of these change so quickly as you build up stamina.

Just remember that everyone has bad runs at some points, even people who have been running for years have bad runs so if that happens remember that it's totally normal and don't let it put you off getting back out there.

Well done! You've started, that's the hardest part :)

To be honest, if you wait for motivation, you'll be waiting a lifetime.

You just have to keep choosing to put the trainers on, and go.

You can do this!

Well done! Never could get on with running. Even at my thinnest/fittest found it difficult. Could walk for hours, lift weights do Pilates, but not run - now my knees wouldn’t cope (I’m in my 60s). So bravo!

Well done! Honestly if you only nearly wet yourself you're doing a lot better than I have sometimes 🙈🙈.
The Squeezy app is good for reminders of pelvic floor exercises! (which I have definitely been neglecting so thanks for the reminder).
I always found that the best way to keep up motivation was to sign up for a race. See if there are any 5ks near you in a reasonable time frame. Thinking that I had a goal and a deadline approaching always helped me drag myself out of the door.

Well done you!

Well done OP ! It’s a fantastic program! I restarted running again in July and just recently done a 10k. Training for a marathon next July .
my one bit of advice would be doing some strength and conditioning training alongside . Running is very very hard on your ankles , shins and knees and can be prone to injuries . You can be fine one moment and then as you up your distance the niggles can start up. Im currently suffering shin splints and a sore left knee . I’m regretting not starting my strength training sooner . I previously blamed getting shin splints on being overweight but I’m now 6 stone lighter and yep ..still got shin splints . Just my body is weak in them areas . The Bend app is good for stretching routines .

I need to start again for the 57th time so I'll join you starting tomorrow. Which app are you using OP? I used to run quite a lot and would love to get back to it. Unfortunately I have a bad shoulder injury that isn't going away (a year and counting) but running hopefully won't hurt too much.

And well done for starting!

You are right to proud of yourself. Well done!

It's the starting that's the hardest, very well done indeed. Week 5 is a bugger so be prepared.
I got a bit carried away and after the course did far too much, too fast and am still dealing with the consequences four years later. I'm sorry if others have already said this but doing strength training alongside your runs will help to avoid injury.
Also, go so slowly that it's embarrassing!

Fantastic - well done you! Running slowly and keeping your heart rate low is a really beneficial way to train so don't worry about speed. Although it may be worth adding some pelvic floor exercises to your routine - there are some apps out there that can guide you. Or if this doesn't work, you could go and see physiotherapist who specialises in women's health.
In terms of motivation - sorry to say that it won't last. This is where routine and discipline comes in. Decide which days you're going and plan the time around it. E.g. if you're going after work, make a plan from the minute you get home to the time you'll go out. Set alarms. Get your running kit out in the morning. Remove any friction possible which might get in the way of you getting out the door. And never miss twice. If you miss one, no stress, don't beat yourself up and self sabotage. And make sure you do the next one.

Well done, the first few k and runs are the hardest. In recent years I’ve ran various marathons and Ultras and still maintain the hardest runs are those when you first set out… so well done and stick with it!

Thank you so much everyone, your praise makes me feel even prouder and it’s great to hear how some of you are still running and enjoying it !
I don’t think I can ever imagine myself doing what some of you are doing, but that’s a confidence in my ability issue.
I have pmos which causes insulin resistance (which i am prescribed metformin for, and I have lost 10 lbs on that alone) so all my weight goes to my stomach, I look like the grinch atm which makes me feel hideous !
Whilst I’m proud my body grew my babies I don’t want to look like this for the rest of my life and I am absolutely desperate to wear some tighter fitting clothes because atm I live in leggings and t shirts.
I also have disastasis recti which is probably what contributes to my terrible pelvic floor.

Will Pilates be good for strength training ?

Well done! Couch25k is witchcraft, you think you could never do the next thing on the list and yet somehow you do!

@benandholli for pelvic floor you can use an electronic toner thing! You insert it and it gives you electric shocks which strengthens the pelvic floor muscles. I have one and it's brilliant.

Yes, you could also just do PF exercises too, but this is way easier - I just use it at bed time when I'm reading!!