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Original poster

What effect did C25K have on you?

36 replies

yellowplumpreserves · 27/04/2018 20:38

I've just started doing C25K with a friend. We are alternating it with the NHS Strength and Flex podcasts. Just started week 2 and am feeling good about it.

I'm curious to hear from people who have finished it or are further down the line about how they feel it has affected them. Did you lose weight or change clothing size? Do you have more than energy? Do parts of your body feel different, eg. legs?

I'm doing for fitness rather than weight loss (although a few pounds lost would be nice), but I'm curious to know what changed I might possible see. I know everyone is different.

Can anyone share their story of how C25K changed them?

OP posts:
gardeningsarah · 27/04/2018 20:53

I've just finished the C25K, have lost any weight unfortunately. I certainly feel better for it, I feel as if I have toned up especially my legs. I think I probably do have more energy, and when I go out maybe a bit half heartedly when I get back the sense of achievement is fantastic.

Now aiming to run faster, and for longer.

Ofthread · 27/04/2018 20:54

Walking up hills, everyone else is out of breath and I’m not!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 27/04/2018 20:57

It’s changed my life.

I started aged 50 having done nothing since school. A couple of years later I have run a half marathon, but more importantly belong to a running group and chat around a 5-10k rum 3 times a week. It’s bought me fitness plus great friendships.

It’s brilliant and all down to ct5.

Lkjem · 27/04/2018 21:00

I'd been having joint pains for years and then bad back was feeling old!
After running now for two years. No joint pains. Toned slimmer legs. Full of energy. No back pain. Lost 8lbs without dieting and can eat anything and not put on weight. Intact hard to maintain weight if I run too often.
I can't believe how it changed my life and wish I'd started sooner. In my 50's. Absolutely dreaded being fair fat and fifty so got my act together.

0utForAWalkBitch · 27/04/2018 21:04

I didn’t lose any weight, but I feel strong. I feel confident. I know my body can run for miles. Couch to 5k was a life changer for me and I’d recommend it to anyone.

Euphrasia · 27/04/2018 21:06

Pretty much changed my life too. I lost a fair bit of weight and got really into running. Did me the world of good. Had to stop due to pregnancy and I'm getting back to it. I can't wait. I only followed the times and listened to audio books while running.

HallowsandHorcruxes · 27/04/2018 21:12

No weight loss here really either but it encouraged me to drink more water which has got rid of my bloated tummy Grin

I loved the program, I can hill walk, run, climb stairs etc with no problem.

If you told me before I started that I would be able to run for 30 mins straight I would never have believed you! It was really motivating.

RunningAddict · 27/04/2018 21:16

I finished it almost 2 years ago, and have since ran 5 half marathons and one full Grin this might be a semi stealth boast, I’m still proud haha!

But seriously, it’s the best thing I’ve ever stuck with and it has changed my life for the better. I’ve found a hobby I love which keeps my mental and physical health in check. I’ve also lost 4 stone and have a much more athletic body shape, like I said, best thing I’ve done

JustGettingStarted · 28/04/2018 14:55

No weight loss (weight lifting and counting calories did that.)

It taught me that I can run and enjoy it. It has seriously improved my mood and energy levels. Like someone said upthread - I don't get out of breath on stairs or hills.

BertandQueenieforever · 28/04/2018 15:07

I did the C25K last summer and ran my first half marathon on Sunday. I HATED running before. I truly love it now. I wasn’t overweight just unfit, if I ran across a car park I got out of breath. Now I feel so much fitter, my legs are stronger and the impact it’s had on my mental health and the way I see myself is amazing.
I’m thinking of signing up for a marathon next year!

Lentilbaby · 28/04/2018 15:12

@ThroughThickAndThin01
That's really brilliant and inspiring! Thanks

Lentilbaby · 28/04/2018 15:15

@RunningAddict Ditto!

To all that have done it, how did your knees fare? I injured mine doing it a few years ago and this has put me off running which is a shame.

Freshprincess · 28/04/2018 15:25

I didn't really lose any weight, in fact once I'd started doing longer distances (I'm up to a half marathon) I put weight on because the training made me sooooo hungry.

But my legs are nicely toned, and my arse a little higher than it would otherwise be. I'm fitter than when I was a teenager.

However, I started to go to park run, joined a running club and met lots of lovely new friends who are supportive and encouraging, it's done wonders for my self esteem.

GeorgeTheHippo · 28/04/2018 15:33

How do people choose running clubs?

I did C25k about 7 years ago when I was 40 and have more or less kept it up since. I did 3 10k runs as well in the first couple of years. I have let it slide at times but am now enjoying park run again. But I've never been fast - always over 30 mins. I'd like to join a club but the ones locally are a high standard and full of scary fast people.

To answer the OP - I have more energy and better mood. I have put on no weight at all through my forties.

MsTimTam · 28/04/2018 15:57

I started C25k in January and am doing my first 10k in four weeks. I was so unfit when I started and now I look forward to my runs (just back from a 55 min jog!) and plan my week around them.

I've combined it with changes to my diet and have lost almost a stone since Jan. Also have so much more energy and feel stronger and legs feel more toned. Already planning more 10k events for later in the year.

Freshprincess · 28/04/2018 18:29

how do people choose running clubs
My club was handing out flyers at the end of park run one week. There is another club in my town, but I didn’t know anything about them at the time. Yes, there are some crazy fast people in the club, but the majority aren’t at all, including. The best thing is that Anyone getting a PB at park run is celebrated, whether it’s 35 minutes or 17 minutes.

Sammysquiz · 30/04/2018 06:55

I have so much more energy after doing C25K - the other day I was playing a chasing game with my DC in the garden for hours. Pre-running I wouldn’t have had the energy to do that!

AndysComing · 30/04/2018 07:02

Has anyone been very overweight when starting it? I need to lose weight and have been watching what I'm eating for a few weeks now. Don't expect C25K to do that for me, but I'm desperately unfit and would love to give it a go. I want to be able to run around at the park with my DC for more than 5 minutes!

Couple of things stopping me, 1- it seems impossible, I can't run! And 2- I'm a bit concerned about running in public, I'll look ridiculous!

Brokenbiscuit · 30/04/2018 07:10

This is an inspiring thread!Smile

Andy I share the same concerns as you!

TuTru · 30/04/2018 07:16

I loved doing it but after about 3 months I had horrific pain in my feet, after physio and other treatments I can no longer stand for more than an hour, so it’s affected my job, and obvs my wellbeing in general.
I don’t go running anymore... it’s been a few years since and I had proper running shoes so I was unlucky I guess xx

Laquila · 30/04/2018 07:22

Andyscoming - if I were you I would treat it as a power-walking thing to begin with, and then start adding get in a few jogs when you feel you can. The key thing is to stop thinking of yourself as someone who can’t run, but I know very well that’s easier said than done!!

But honestly, you’ll be amazed how quickly you find yourself running more of your route than walking it.

Pippioddstocking · 30/04/2018 07:28

I did it 7 years ago when the children were small as it was the easiest way to try to fit in exercise. At the start I couldn't even run the 100m to the end of my road without feeling like I was going to vomit .
7 years later I've now run nearly 20 marathons and ultra marathons.
I can eat what I like , my body is slim with toned legs and bum , my mental health and ability to cope with stress seems much improved .
I also joined a local running club and love my runs and chats with them.

There are a few downsides though.

  1. it's addictive
  2. you need to vary terrain , road and trail to avoid lower limb injury
  3. I have about 2 toenails left in total
  4. my boobs have almost totally disappeared
Wingbing · 30/04/2018 07:35

Changed my life. I did c25k after I struggled to run for a bus one morning

Now I run 5 - 10k 3 times a week. I am stronger, fitter and more toned. Hips, thighs and bum are more toned.

I have lost a bit of weight but it's 80% diet 20% exercise really.

It really is great as c25k teaches you that you can run. Get good trainers and go steady at fist to prevent injuries. A park run once you have done 5k is a great idea, really motivating.

I'm a massive advocate, I never thought I could run, now it's a very big part of my life. I have my first half marathon at the end of the summer, currently training for that.

I feel stronger, healthier and happier.

Wingbing · 30/04/2018 07:38

Pippi is correct, it's very additive. I think it is because it's so easy to measure your progress and the endorphins are additive.

AuntieStella · 30/04/2018 07:44

Life changing for me.

I had been losing weight (but several months of changed eating) and realised I needed to get fitter)

That was the start of running as a mild addiction - it started off as the only option I could fit in round other commitments. Now it's something I do frequently, miss when I can't, and in 18 months I went from non-runner who wasn't much interested, to half marathon completer.

It didn't make me lose weight (though if I have run over 6 miles, I might be able to treat myself to pizza without worrying about gain), but my legs are toned (even have thigh gap), and my tummy is flatter than it's ever been. My mood is better too.

I've met some lovely people - before running I thought Lycra clad people zipping past towels automatically see me as an imposter. They don't - they're all chasing their own goals, which might be personal or competitive, and are really supportive of other people's goals. So my young fit friend from running club, who is winning some fairly serious events, is genuinely pleased when I've run a PB and placed as a veteran.

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