Anyone who is 'obese' doing c25k?!

[Blueskiesandcherrypies]

Morning all,

Have been reading through the c25k thread - so inspirational! I'm planning on starting tonight, if my shopping for trainers goes well this morning. Shopping with 4 children in tow - what could go wrong?!

Anyway, I'm a size 16 and 5ft 2. According to some BMI chart online, I am therefore obese. What a cheery thought. I am 4.5 weeks post giving birth (c/sec, so will check with HV later that she is ok with me starting a slow plod). I don't want to diet, my natural 'happy' weight/size is about 10st7, size 14/16, I'd be happy achieving that through healthy eating and exercise. I'm a bit worried though about starting a running plan at this size and weight (12st6), has anyone done this? Would love to hear your stories and whether you were able to shed any pounds through c25k and healthy eating as opposed to following a strict diet plan.

Thanks!

I was around 12st 6 when I started and am 5ft 3 so technically obese I believe. I was convinced I was not able to run but decided to give it a go anyway! I am now on the last run and can fairly comfortably run 5k in around 30 mins. I do all my running on the treadmill at the gym though as don't feel comfortable to run outside just yet!

The programme really works and the sense of achievement is incredible. I am now around 10st 10 and have caught the running bug!

I do a lot of sport and have had 2 cs and 4.5 weeks post natal sounds too soon to be running, at any speed, especially if you are not used to it. I'd start with some long walks, especially until 6 week check.

I started the c25k about 6 moths after dd was born (she is now 2.7) at 3 stone overweight (5'8", 15 stone). I'd run before, but not for years. I didn't lose much weight - needed SlimmigWorld too to help me kick that into touch, but it was very simple and now vary between 11 st 11 lb and 12 stone. I ran my first half marathon this month and have another one next month.

Invest time and money in decent shoes and a good sports bra.

I'm on week 3 and I weigh 17 st 9... You guys have nothing to worry about I do go early in the morning before other people are awake...

Agree with bikerunski about 4.5 wks being too soon to start running.

Thanks for replying!

TooTired - so impressive! I presume you didn't lose all that weight through running alone?

Bikerunski - thanks, it is a concern, I feel fully recovered but am aware that there will be a lot of healing still going on inside. Am hoping I won't have to delay but won't be silly about it!

Ohmy - good for you, that's fab! How's it going?

I was 12 stone 6 and had a waist was 35 inches - and I'm also 5ft 2" so I know your pain!
I started C25k a couple of years ago when I decided I must lose weight and get fit as I wasn't getting any younger.
I was too embarrassed to run outside and stuck to the treadmill. I could barely run for 60 seconds and had that awful 'lactic acid' build up straight away. Instead of progressing a week at a time I needed to spend sometimes a month repeating the same week and never got through Week 4. It turned out I was severely anaemic and once the iron tablets kicked in I turned a corner.
It was slow progress but once I was able to run solidly for 5 minutes I felt I had achieved something. Then I build that up to 10 minutes and eventually 20 minutes.
Then I bit the bullet and started to run outside and it was a lot easier that on a treadmill. I now regularly run with a minimum distance of 4 miles each time.
I'm now 9 stone 9 (on the cusp of normal/overweight!) and my waist is now 28 inches.
Following 5:2 diet helped with the weight loss - I don't believe that the running alone would have got me where I am now.
I would suggest doing lots of walking (with pram) to start with and up hills (with pavements!) to start building up your stamina. It's still early days with a new baby so give yourself time and start slowly.
It doesn't matter if you need to repeat weeks - every run, no matter how short, is progress!
Good luck

I have tried to change my eating habits alongside the running. I wouldn't call it a diet but have tried to make healthy choices and keep an eye on my calorie intake. I used my fitness pal to track what I was eating. Before I started tracking I was unrealistic about how much I was eating. Once it's there in black & white I could see how all the picking I wrote off as not important added up to something quite significant. Also seeing on the treadmill display how hard it is to burn off calories makes me less inclined to eat rubbish I don't really want!

I'm sure you will get there and C25k is a fantastic programme but don't push yourself this soon after your baby. My DC4 is 9 months now & I am starting to feel like I have my body back for the first time in 10 years!

It's going well. I got up to about week 7 two summers ago and got down to 16st 1 but sadly gained it all again so trying to give it another go. I use MFP as well and think I might try 5:2- going on holiday in 8 weeks so need to do something quick!

I was 15st when I started and 5'5", that was 2 1/2 years ago and I now run 3-4 times a week and am 9 1/2st. I lost weight using mfp to count calories, I decided I'd rather reduce portion size and still have treats and while calorie counting you can decide where your calories come from. Running regularly means I can have days when I can have a blow out if I want to but I still need to take care with what I eat.

I agree with others 4.5weeks post baby sound a very soon but especially after a cs. Running can be quite stressful on your pelvic floor but making sure you're thinking about it while running will help. I really believe in the plan it works well and allows flexibility if needed, take your time and definitely see what your hv thinks first!

I know others recommend good trainers but I started in a sports direct £9.99 pair until I was sure I would go further, even with my access weight my knees held up fine for the shortish distances you'll be doing at the start so don't put that as a barrier to starting :) I did get fair analysed and bought a decent pair once I was regularly running 3x a week.