What effect did C25K have on you?

[yellowplumpreserves]

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?

I love this thread! It's making me feel really motivated! And getting addicted surely isn't a bad thing??!

Has anyone started when they have been seriously overweight?

I've downloaded an app....thanks for the motivation everyone. I'm going to give it a go

Brokenbiscuit I was about to ask the same thing!

I've started C25k three times, finished it the first time but otherwise never made it past about week 4. I have chronic migraine and unfortunately exercise can trigger a bad one - so I can only really do a run when I have no other commitments that day, or if I can do it in the evening. So I only need a series of sick headaches to put me back a week, and it all feels like too much and I give up.

I have been able to do short kettlebell workouts and walking at home workouts without getting a bad one, but I'd dearly love to be a runner. Even though I'm currently 5 stone overweight I dream of being slim and fit and migraine free.

It feels like an excuse though.

I took it up when I finally stopped limping following SPD in pregnancy/ post-natal. I needed to get my cardio fitness back and hated huffing and puffing up hills. I went for C25k as it fitted between feeds at odd times. I had always HATED running at school but several of my friends had become runners and it inspired me.

It took a while to complete as I was wary of injury and it was over the cold season and baby got ill. I decided to sign up to an 8 mile fun run in my home town that I'd always idlely thought I might try one day, and I surprised myself by actually running the whole thing less than 3 months after completing C25k... I got talked into a HM while still euphoric... HM6 is coming up in just over a month

I love it, the alone time, music, headspace, countryside, challenging myself at races and getting medals. My DCs have becomr really keen on junior parkrun and they're great little runners which is such a good foundation for their own sporting life. I used to really miss hiking after the DCs were born, but running is an accessible substitute plus I'm fit for the future when I get the chance again

I did it 12 years ago and still running now apart from a couple of breaks due to health problems or pregnancy. I have type 1 diabetes and it helps me manage that. I haven't lost weight, but I would be bigger if I didn't run. My legs are strong and I've gained muscle there.
For cardio, I think running gives you the most bang for your buck - it's cheap, you can do a reasonable workout in 20 minutes if necessary, you don't need anyone else or any special equipment. Works for me. I hated exercise from senior school onwards, by the way

I didn’t lose weight on couch to 5k but my clothes fitted a lot better and I lost bulk shape for sure. It also motivated me in new ways. I never thought I’d run for more than a minute or two. I think it trains you - if you stuck to the programme as is. This means pushing yourself at times, but it’s worth it.
I can now run. I have also now not run for six months because of weather and being slack but I was also able to pick it up again because I have a new mindset around running. So although I can’t run for 40+ minutes anymore, I can run for 20 mins and then take a break. It won’t take me long to get back to where i was.
So I think anyone can do it and change their life if, I can. So do it. Its actually really easy and you will surprise yourself.

I'm on week 7. I have lost weight but I also cut a lot of rubbish out of my diet. I'm now running around 3.4km three times a week and although it's hard I am doing it and not giving up. I like the sense of freedom it gives me to just escape my own mind a couple times a week

There are a few asking if anyone has started seriously overweight- yes I did.... at double my ideal weight for my height. I've dropped 3 stone using good eating as well as exercise and am now 'obese' rather than 'morbidly obese' like when I started but I always do the warm up and cool down and usually soak in a bath afterwards and my knees / back have been fine.

I don't give a shit what people think when they see me running in lycra because I just don't need their opinions, I know I am improving my health and that is what matters to me!

It doesn't matter how overweight you are just go for it! And do it now, don't put it off. Primark sell running leggings and bras for cheap and now I am into it I have upgraded to nike running gear. I suggest getting the running gear even if you look like a stuffed sausage because at the end of the day who cares how you look, it's more important to be comfy when you are out running.

I started C25k last Jan. I was weeble shaped, a stone overweight and nobody thought I would do it. But I did. From day 1 I loved it. I've done a 10k and started training for a half. Injury stopped that but I'll do it again.

I don't eat or drink my emotions now, I go for a run instead. I'm also nearly a stone down and have mostly kept it off.

I didn’t lose weight and didn’t change clothing size.

I’ve had to do some serious dieting and a lot of other stuff in the gym to affect that.

I've done it and it made a huge difference to my happiness and self esteem. I felt a huge sense of achievement and loved the break from daily life that it gives me. Just starting again now after DC3 as it's a gentle way to get active again after being on mat leave and not doing much.