Can an overweight, unfit 43 yr old do C25K?

[OnTopOfSpaghetti]

Without dying? I need to do something about my lack of fitness. I have done C25k successfully before but this was several years ago and a stone and a half lighter. Is it even worth me starting? I can only really fit in 3 lots of 30 minutes each week and running is ideal because it is free and I don't have to drive anywhere to do it.
A quick google suggests things have moved on in terms of apps etc, are they worth getting? Do you listen on your phone while you run? Should add I am also a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to technology!
Is there any hope for me? Any advice very gratefully received

I’m in the same boat, but avoiding starting as I’ve got a horrid cold.

Ooh good to hear from you @doodlejump1980
I'm not starting until end of next week as we're going away to see friends for a couple of days. Happy to have a buddy if you'd like one?

Good luck! I did it 3 years ago aged 46 and very unfit. I am now part of a lovely running club x have encouraged numerous people in c25k courses 😁 I’ve done 85 parkruns and am a run director at my local one 😁 I’ve run loads of 10k’s 2 10 mile races and a half marathon 😁

Running is now my main hobby x we mostly end up in Wetherspoons 😂😂😂 I have made so many amazing friends through running. I love it!

Do give it a try OP.

I’m 58 and did C25K last year as an overweight and unfit person. I really struggled on the first part but found it really helpful to be doing C25K once a week with a running club. It was really scary walking in to the room first time but I’ve met some really lovely people who were just as scared as me. They are now good friends.

I’ve now done 40 parkruns, about 7 or 8 10k’s and I lead a slower group with my running club once a week. I run at least 5k three times a week. A year and a half ago I would have thought this impossible... but it’s not! I’m by no means thin but have gradually been losing weight and feel so much better.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.

That is encouraging, swampytiggaa. I’ve just started running, am 46, unfit and overweight. In the last two weeks I’ve gone from literally feeling like I was dying doing walk one minute, run one minute, to feeling kind of ok at the end of each minutes run, and am now stepping up to walk 1.5 mins! I’d also like to make new friends, so was thinking once I get ok at running, I’ll do the local park run...

Should have read ‘to run 1.5 mins’...

Yes I did it and didn’t die which I think after having my DC is one of the most successful things I’ve done as previously had never willingly run in my entire life!

It’s part of what helped me be over 100lbs lighter and iI’m a bit put out at moment as having to take time off after an op. Park Run is great but what I also love is how supportive my friends have all been and how it has changed my relationships with some of them as in I am now a part of an aspect of their lives that is important to them and I wasn’t part of that before.

Wow so many inspiring stories! I really appreciate you all sharing them with me and hope to add mine one day. I think I will use this as a bit of a journal so that I am accountable and actually get in with it. First run (walk) by the end of this coming week. I shall report back!

*get on

I did it last year at 61. I now run 5k+ 3 times a week. I'm not fast and always struggle for the first 10 mins but after that it's great

Yes! In 50s . Have MS. I did it.
Good luck!

Ooooohhh I am loving this thread!!!

TheMonkeyMummy - so much inspiration here

Good luck OP. I'M planning on starting in Sept.
Single parent but fixed days without kids. I have no excuse not to do it!

post I can really relate to what you wrote.
It's my time now. I'm good enough and I matter.
I've lost 3 stone in 2 years. Plenty more where that came from, HOWEVER, it's not going to define me anymore. I've too much life to live k

Completely doable. I started c25k 18 months ago after having done no exercise for years and tipping into the obese category on the BMI charts. I’d never been a runner in my life. 4 months ago I ran the London Marathon and I’ve got several half marathons booked over the next year. It has literally changed my life.

What a fantastic crowd you are.

I've just my first run of C25K. I've done it before a few years ago and got up to 5k, but then fell away. I think I'm going to struggle to fit in 3 runs a week, but feel I need to otherwise I'll lose motivation. Hoping to lose some weight as last time it put me off eating as I knew I'd have to drag the extra weight round the park the next morning! Good luck with starting.

Good luck everyone who is starting! And the same to those part way through 💜

I can recommend parkrun as we welcome walkers as well as runners and everything in between 💜 and the atmosphere and friendship is amazing. Plus volunteering is fun and will show that runners come in all shapes sizes abilities and ages 💜

Hi .loving this inspiring thread .I'd love to the race for life next year as my grandad died of cancer and my aunt is dying of it too.im overweight daren't look how many stones lol and not sure how to start .I feel over the hill at 38 and hate how I look so much I avoid shop windows and mirrors lol .you are all so amazing

Go for it!
Running shop to get the right trainers.
Take as long as you like repeat weeks if you want to.
Join a Beginners running group if there is one locally (don't worry about the people who "ran a marathon two years ago" but have inexplicitly joined the beginners...)

I think for most of us short runs (aka slow jog) interspersed with walking as per c25k is realistic...

50s unfit but now up to nearly 30 mins slow running. I like the classic Laura nhs c25k podcasts.

I'd love to run but if give myself black eyes lol but guess I could power walk on the treadmill at the gym .wish I could run on them but I'd end up on my backside .I love Zumba so much fun and surprising how many calories it burns off. I'm a non driver and walk everywhere .

Decent sports bra is the answer to black eyes 😉 not cheap but worth the money.

Thanks swampy I'll invest in one any retailer recommendations please ?I've heared running is the best fat burning exercise .did it take you long to get into it as a beginner?

Shock absorbers are good but I recommend finding somewhere with a choice and getting fitted for one. Makes a huge difference to your comfort and confidence 🙂

I doggedly did c25k on a treadmill at home because I was too nervous to run outside. Then parkrun started in my local park. I went along to the first one having never run 5k or outside before. Managed to run the whole thing volunteered the next week and was hooked!

A really casual running group grew up from parkrun x started with 6 of us fannying around in the park and has grown to about 200 members but still has a very family feel to it 😁

I’ve reconnected with a couple of people I knew from a few years ago and they are now my best friends 💜 we support each other through everything. I’ve made amazing friends from my running group x could be out socialising every week if I wanted 💜

Running has transformed my life. I’m not fast but I am determined and I like to encourage our new runners. I felt like a proud mom on Friday night when a whole group of recent c25k graduates completed their first ever 10k 💜

I really recommend finding a supportive group of people if you can 💜 good luck!

Thanks so much .you're so inspiring .not sure if there is a group near me just outside york but I'll look into it .xxxx