Can an unfit, overweight, soon to be 35yo learn to run?

[BrightYellowStripes]

So, prompted by my half life crisis thread, I've decided I'd like to challenge myself and see if I can learn to run a 5k.

I'm asthmatic, a few stones overwight, uncoordinated and was always last to be picked at school

Is it possible to emerge in six months as a lithe, toned, fit and energetic runner? Or should I think again

I run 5k Hercules and I'm still overweight. I feel a lot fitter and surprisingly I do feel a bit slimmer even though the scales haven't really shifted.

I'm trying not to focus on weight, I e spent my entire life on a diet so im trying to run as often as I can.

I hope that in time the weight will shift a bit. Like a previous poster I'm also breastfeeding so am hoping my body is holding on to back up reserves!

Thanks, totaldiva. I've spent my life yoyo dieting and had enough. Enjoy running and got up to 5k a few years ago. Can't maintain diet though. I think you're right about not focusing on the diet.

I think exercise can make a difference, but you'd have to train a lot. I would say at least 10 hrs a week

8 mins first run!?!?

Fantastic!!!!

Revolution - well, I'm only in week 2 but if running 10 hours a week means I lose weight then I can aim for that! At least I enjoy running...

You'll surprise yourself with what you can do. I downloaded the app but in the end didn't bother to use it and went from 0 minutes running to 5k in about 4 weeks though I think I had an advantage in being a frequent walker, both outside at a normal pace and in the gym walking quickly on an incline. You can use that as practice. I 'suffered' a great deal with stiches to start with which is what had always stopped me in the past but if it happens to you I found breathing in slowly, holding it for a second, then slowly releasing for about 30 seconds (whilst still jogging) made it go away and then your body gets used to the bashing about of your insides during jogging and after a while I stopped getting it. Good luck.

@Isadora2007 sadly that was the total amount It was 8 x 60 seconds.. but it builds up!

8 mins is 8 mins! Well done

I enjoyed the book Run Fat Bitch Run, I know the title is a bit but she has quite a good idea of finding a circuit in your area and walking at first then building up to running, doing the same circuit. That worked well for me because I could feel myself getting better and the walking parts shortening and also it gives me confidence because I know the route well now.

I'm 40yo and fat....4stone overweight.

I started running in Feb and am now running 5-7k 3x a week and loving it.

Go for it.

Sadly I haven't lost any weight. I also do bodypump once a week and general gym workout a couple of times a week.

Well I follow a calorie controlled diet (more r less nothing to drastic) 4 days a week, the rest are "free days". I lost 4st that way :)

46, 3 stones to lose if anyone my way fancies a running accomplice??

I started exercising including running at the beginning of the year. 3 stone overweight with asthma (and epilepsy). I've lost 2.5 stone (so far) and can run 12km without stopping! Start small and stay consistent and you can do it.

where are you based justhadmyhaircut?

@kirinm Well done! Is that from dieting too?

Not really dieting but a change in what we eat. I've cut out sugar although do have fruit. Otherwise I stick to fairly low carb with carbs after exercise. But not in a ketosis way. Just in a 'don't have pasta for lunch and dinner' way. It's been slow but the combination of a good diet and exercise does work. I'm nearly 40 and wish I was still 35 😪

I love the Zombies! C25k app - exercise and a storyline (I get bored easily). I am 36 and started from 0 level of fitness in April. I ran my first Parkrun 10 days ago and did 5k in 39 minutes. I wouldn't have believed it if you had told me.

I do it twice (rather than recommended three times) a week. It hasn't helped with weight loss but I'm MUCH fitter.

It's odd, isn't it? So many tales of people getting fitter and yet that doesn't affect the scales? Seems strange to me...

Probably losing fat but also gaining muscle, so the scales don't change much.

I'm 47 and have lost 5 stone in total since November with at least 2 more to go, probably 3. My weight loss has definitely slowed down since I started C25K but I've found I'm still losing inches. I finished C25K last week and am so glad I did it. Last time I had ran before that was 1986 during PE (which I was crap at)!

Top tip is to go really really slowly, you want to be able to have a conversation so count out loud or something if on your own for a bit. It doesn't matter if dog walkers overtake you! It's just about starting at the moment. You'll find same days are better than others which is normal. It doesn't just make you feel better physically but is great psychologically as you find the barriers that you think are there are just as much psychological as physical.

It's odd, isn't it? So many tales of people getting fitter and yet that doesn't affect the scales? Seems strange to me...

For anyone who is starting exercise, with starting point of overweight and unfit - measure various parts of your body and you'll probably see a far greater difference than if you just look at the scales (I measure waist, hips, under bust, over bust and right thigh, calf, wrist and upper arm) . For example I lost over 11cm off my waist, 12cm off my hips, 11cm off my thighs, 1cm off my wrists etc whilst my weight didn't really change - I then suddenly lost 5kilos in 1 week . Then I've stayed the same weight for a while again but lost more in cm.
I think the combination of loosing some fat whilst building muscle can make the scales an unreliable way of measuring success (I've heard your body also retains more water when building muscle - don't know how true that is though). Whereas using a tape measure you see when muscles are toning up and pulling fat in and that some fat must be being lost whilst building some muscle for the scales to stay the same whilst your measurements decrease.

Well done on your first run

I am always always the same weight but the amount of exercise I'm doing shows in the tightness of my clothes, so you can gauge it that way. I don't eat very healthily and am very greedy so it's all about the running for me! I do it for enjoyment as well as fitness now though, after 12 years of running I actually look forward to it now

Obviously exercise and diet combined is the best way to be healthy but just focus on what you're motivated to do and don't try and do everything at once if that will be too overwhelming.

Op, you have just inspired me to go on my first run in my lunch hour - NHS Couch25k app/iTunes playlist of choice.
And my dh will have a go as well.
I'm in my 50s with MS that sometimes slows me right down (fatigue is fortunately my worst symptom so far) and is a convenient excuse for me to do nothing when I'm feeling ok. Currently feeling ok so I thought, Feck it. If I try not to fight the MS and work with its moods, I should be fine.

@everythingissoblinkinrosie wow!!! That's fantastic to hear! How did you both get on?!

My clothes haven't got looser so don't think I'm losing cm.