I want to run but i'm full of doubts..

[ThePathanKhansWitch]

i've been reading through the threads here, and some of your stories are amazing.
I'd really like to get fit, but i'm not sure i can run. I'm 42, about 2st overweight, and i've only just stopped smoking (i've been a hard-core smoker for 20 years) .
There's loads of good advice on the threads, re: bra, shoes, purple nail polish, but i think my lungs are gone.
Can i do it? Should i start the Couch 2 5 K? am i a hopeless case?

I've not seen any ex-smokers say they've taken up running. Can someone give me some hope? Please.

You can do it!

How about doing a Powerwalk app first? I have downloaded one to do as well as c25k

I'm not an ex smoker, but at least walking is a good start

Hi Pathans.

A few years ago when I was running regularly, finding it easy and loving it, I'd have been saying 'Yeah! Go for it! It's a piece of piss'. Sadly since I have had a few injuries and lost all my fitness I'd be more inclined to say 'Give it a go, but take it easy and see how you get on'.

Re smoking - I used to smoke until about 15 years ago. I started step classes and going to the gym when I had just given up and it didn't seem to matter. In fact it gave me more incentive as I felt my lung 'healing' as my fitness and wellbeing increased.

But running is a brilliant way to exercise. It's flexible and cheap. Once the spring comes you will be able to really enjoy finding new routes and extending your distances. Start off trying for a mile or so and slowly increasing it and once the lighter evenings arrive you will be able to move further afield. I might even join you .

I'll have a look at the Powerwalk littlest.

Would you believe, i'm a Postie, so I know i can walk, but i really think my lungs are done for.

I'm going to a running shop to get my gait checked hope they don't laugh and get comfortable shoes.

I'm really excited at the thought of starting to run, but i'd love to hear from an ex-smoker to know if they've managed to run.

Do it! Do it! I'm an ex-smoker. I quit fairly recently, and started running as an incentive to keep me from lapsing.

5 months ago I believed like you that I'd never be able to run more than 100 yards. I thought the likely outcome of trying would be that I'd cough up a lung in the middle of heart failure, after which my knees would fall off.

Then I did the C25K, dropped a dress size and am now running 4x a week for fun It's a great buzz to feel your aerobic ability rocketing up as your fitness increases and your lungs start to heal.

It's cheap, portable, and very, very addictive. Just don't try and do too much to begin with and make sure you do some warmup stretches before every session. I use these stretches and they seem to do the trick. Do the C25K, repeat weeks if you feel like you're struggling, (I think I did it in 3 months rather than 9 weeks in the end) and enjoy!

Oh Orm that's comforting to know that you feel your lungs healing.

There's a lovely big lake and private park not far from my house, so at least i can try without getting laughed at .

Running is fantastic OP. Well done on packing up the fags. I've been running for nearly 2 years and if you had told me 3 years ago that I would take up running I would have laughed in your face. I really love it - even go out at 6am some mornings and feel a million times better than when I used to do no exercise.

Now, I am also a smoker Only about 5 a week, but hey it still counts. I have noticed a massive change in lungpower since I cut down from smoking every day so now that you have packed up, you will be able to cope just fine. As other posters have said, start SLOWLY. I highly recommend following a program like 'couch to 5k' which is a mixture of walk-run which pushes you very gently over a few months. Try to run 3 times a week - the first time you do a workout it's bloody hard but just work to finish the course. The next time it will be a little bit easier.You won't believe how quickly you will progress! You can DEFINITELY do this!

Sports bra and properly measured and fitted running shoes are essentials, can't stress that enough. Good luck!

Deck that's awe inspiring, i always thought running was for people who were fairly fit anyway. It's great to know ex-smokers can do it as well.

I don't think i've been so excited about anything for such a long time!

Agree about sports bra and good running shoes. I am sure that if I had proper shoes before starting to run instead of crappy old trainers that I'd had for years I'd not have picked up so many injuries.

Oh and 2 more things:

Never ever worry about people laughing at you. Everyone is far too caught up in checking their own gait/posture/time/knicker elastic to worry about how you look. Don't let this stop you doing anything you want to.

When you get to the point where you can run, even if only for 30 seconds, say to yourself 'this is it - I am actually doing it! I am running!' It worked for me and gave me a big boost and helped to remind me that I was really making progress.

Josie well done you (please try and bin the 5 evil ones), Deck thankyou for the exercises.

What injuries orm?

Do you think i should try to drop a few stones pounds first? Or just jump in, does the pace of your running at the beginning matter?

I mean, does a slow jog count? whats the difference between jogging and running anyway.

And please tell me i don't have to wear those Max wall leggings, legs are like tree trunks, i don't want to scare the children and old ladies.

DP up until about 6 weeks ago was a 30+ a day smoker for nigh on 25 years. He's taken up the running.

First session he couldn't run for a minute without nearly collapsing, now he's like shit off a shovel.

Don't push yourself too hard, follow one of the many walk/run programmes out there and you will be amazed how quickly your cardiovascular fitness improves.

Whispers very very quietly - I am a smoker and also very very overweight but a little louder now I run 3/4 times per week and have just completed couch 25k and can now run for 30minutes at a time.
I smoke approx 10-15 cigarettes per day but do not smoke at least an hour before my run and an hour after. My weight loss and getting fitter is my main priority and then I will concentrate on becoming a non smoker but just not yet.
I love my running as it clears my head for me and would encourage anyone to take up.
If you follow the right plan you will be fine and hopefully become addictive like so many if us
Good luck

Ooh...where to start

I tore a huge hole in my calf muscle - took months to heal.
Broke my metatarsal - right foot.
Tendonities in left foot which I've had to accept will never heal now.
Hip bursitis when I tried to change my gait too dramatically to speed up.
And back injuries that sometimes get exacerbated by running.

I did couch to 5k at 12.5 st. I've now lost over 1.5st and did a 3 mth bash on weight watchers too. Could easy do the 5k at the higher weight. Now I've dropped more weight with ww iI'm up to about 9k now.

I would go for it. It doesn't costing just a decent pair of trainers. Really there is nothing to lose...

Yaaay for the nod to purple nail varnish!!

Give it a whirl, the running that is. Join a couch to 5K group. You'll get loads of support.

So try it? And if you hate it or it's not for you, well good on you for trying

Oh thank you all so much, now wish me luck!

Pathan Just go for it - don't bother trying to lose weight first. You might find you're a bit slow to start with, but you'll soon pick up as you gain strength. I lost a bit of weight veeeeery slowly over 9 months, then started running and lost as much again in 3 months. Just get started!

Also don't worry too much if you're getting slimmer but don't seem to be getting lighter. You'll be building muscle, which is heavier than fat

Good luck!

Yes, do try it. I've never smoked, but am 44 (nearly 45) and still 2st overweight (was 3) and was very unfit, started C2 5K last Jan and have felt so much better, I'm off form at the moment due to colds and coughs but the feeling when you can run for 30 mins non stop is great. The purple nail polish thing started on one of the threads, whenever I wear it now it reminds me of my thread buddies and that I need to get out for a run. Whatever helps!

i smoked for a similar amount of time to you - maybe 18years? You can do it! Go as often as you can, do what you can - something is always better than nothing

You can do it! I spent weeks and weeks only being able to manage 1 minute at a time and nearly gave up - then for some reason I could suddenly manage three minutes and five was a real achievement. I'm up to nine now and still can't really believe it!

ThePathanKhansWitch have you started yet? Hope it went well/or goes well.

I am more overweight than you and then some and run. My food "issues" have prevented me from loosing weight, but I know lots of women who run who have been transformed by running. It is such a great feeling :)

As others have said try not to worry about what others think.

I just keep in mind that "at least I am trying to do something about it" should anyone decided to fat heckle me - which (thankfully) hasn't happened.

However, I also do a few things which I hope will reduce the likelihood of being heckled (if that is the right term!);

• run in the morning when less people about,
• keep away from busy high streets/bars in the pm
• I wear jogging bottoms and a tshirt (not that I am judging people that wear leggings and tank tops big or small, I just don't feel comfortable in them myself at this weight)
• keep my ipod in and loud!

If you want some motivation from an Amercian Man who slimmed down using running (not everybody does!) look at 'Ben does life' -