I'm very, very fat so Starting c25k on 1st. Anyone want to join me?

[2fatbyfar]

I'm a fat lazy slob! I'm constantly tired, grumpy, frumpy and frazzled! I'm mid forties, my hair has emigrated from my head to my multiple chins, and its time I actually started to turn my dumpy life around. Anyone want to join me? From the 1st January I'm going to start c25k using the NHS app. From 4th January I'll be giving up sugar. My aim is to get fit rather than slim, because I'm such an elephant that trying to set a weight goal will just demotivate me😂.
Everyone welcome.

Wk 4 run 1 this morning - was easier than I thought it would be!

Chilver there's nothing wrong with running slowly - you are still lapping everyone at home who didn't go out !!

W1R3 this morning.

Was OK but had to stop just as I started due to huge blister on my heel - popped into Boots and bought the magic Compeed blister pads - upgraded “sports” version - then just got back to it and didn’t feel a thing.

For the first time on one of the 60s runs I was thinking of something else throughout rather that how my pavement cracker obese body was shuddering and thundering on by.

The boiled beetroot head was more radish in tone today so think my body is slowly adapting.

I drive 2 miles to somewhere that no one knows me but looking forward to when I can run elegantly for 30 mins, able to talk with a just a pink glow so that I can run around my village from my front door and wave confidently and say a not too breathless hello to my neighbours.

I am also going back to better eating habits and this will be the first time I have done exercise and dieting at the same time. So hoping for results. Only doing 16:8 cutting out wine, choc, snacks - so a bit loose - more habit change than calorie controlled diet.

But I feel good.

Lovely thread. I’m on w8 and I didn’t think I’d get this far. If you stick to the program it does work.

Well done everyone for getting out there and running.

Did week five run two yesterday. I slipped a bit on some mud. Really worried about running twenty minutes tomorrow.

@Chilver

W2R3 today. Really struggled this week. Cold, tired and very muddy. And my knee injury and shin splints that stopped me running 2 years ago is always niggling. And I'm so slow!!! Everyone was literally running past me today as I did my 4 stone overweight painfully slow jog . I'll try again Tuesday and start W3R1.

I'm slow too, really really slow, like I don't always overtake walkers even. Telling myself it's ok and we will get faster.

W2R1 this morning. In the fog. It was totally fine really didn’t notice diff between 60 and 90s run - but obviously only at v beginning.

What was weird though was that I was 2lb heavier after my run than before I started!

I am really glad that my DH is doing this with me - otherwise I would have found any excuse not to go each day - when in fact I am delighted I go and feel pleased with myself when I am finished.

W5 R1 done.

My knee seems OK now touches wood and I'm really, really enjoying it though I'm slow!
Dreading run 3 for 20 mins straight, seems a big leap?

Don’t worry about the 20 mins run. Your body will be able to do it. It does seem like a huge leap, but it’s fine. Don’t ask me how it works, but it does.

It’s more a mental thing than physical. The audio will really help you. Get some good music playing and you will be fine. Huge achievement when you’ve done it.

W5r1 done this evening! I've gone a bit bonkers and signed myself up to run 50 miles in March for Sands, the stillbirth charity!

Apologies if someone has covered this in the thread; does anyone have any tips for breathing techniques on the Couch to 5K, I really struggle with it. I run very slowly but I think, psychologically I am getting worked up about breathing and making it worse for myself! Thanks

On my W2R1 this morning the audio for the first time mentioned breathing. They said when left foot hits the ground breath in deep for 4 and then out for 4 ..... I couldn’t do that at all! Didn’t seem to work. Maybe it’s just the deep breathing?

Also is it in thru nose and out thru mouth?

I couldn’t do the in for four etc whilst running ! I can do it when really relaxed but in two out two is more my breathing speed x I think that at our stage of running we don’t need to worry- so long as we aren’t holding our breath how we breath isn’t going to make a huge difference 😁

Wk4 completed here! Well chuffed with myself

What do you do when the 9 weeks are up - do you have another motivational app - or do you just keep replying week 9?

By then I am hoping I will join a local running club and maybe commit with a couple of people to run with on a set day each week like I do with my dog walks as I know I am rubbish at doing stuff on my own.

Sssloou I'm hoping that by the time I have completed week 9, it will be safe for me to cycle after work and at weekends again and that the gym will be open! I am not a runner, I don't enjoy running on pavements and don't have the option of fields and towpaths like I used to. I'm only running because there is nothing else at the moment and it gets me moving for a short time each week. But if I was going to carry on, I would find a couch to 10k app and start it at week 6 or something.

Hey all. May I join you? A bit late to the party but there you go!
I’m also setting out on a similar journey and I’m really struggling to find trainers that work for me. My normal Skechers make my feet ache so I bought a few pairs of cheap running trainers online and they’re all so weirdly narrow. I know I have wide feet, but they’re not that abnormal. It’s been rather dispiriting.

@EveryoneRevealsThemselves I’ve had some success with ASICS trainers. Managed to get a pair for £40 on sports direct which seem to be holding up well.

They fit my size 8 not very slim feet well 😂

W6 D2 complete and I’m feeling quite pleased with myself now. Wasn’t feeling it before (felt like lead) but forced myself to mind over matter and once I’d dislocated my brain my body managed quite well.

I’ve got a niggly pain in my hip now which isn’t ideal though.

Does anyone think of their posture / technique when running ? I sort of shuffle along like those 80 year olds you see jogging in Florida.....where as I see people who seem to be skipping lightly through the air?

I think about @Sssloou but I’m completely incapable of doing anything about it 😂

Hi all - how are we all getting on?

W6R2 completed today! All felt good. Aiming to do R3 on Sunday but we are forecast snow, so am hoping it doesn't settle.

Someone upthread asked about breathing. A few years ago when I did a c25k thing with a running club they suggested to really exaggerate breathing - so a massive breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. Do that for a few minutes whilst running to fill your lungs and your breathing then settles and becomes more normal. Works for me if I'm struggling anyhow.

Completed week five last week, but was slow and nervous so repeating it next week.

W2R2 today, and i think ive found my routine.
3 times a week doesnt work for me, so Im doing once at the weekend and once on my weekday day off. The other days i cycle to work, or go for a walk with the family.
I do the NHS app on my midweek run, then go without my phone but over the same route for the weekend one. I prefer going without the phone, as find it annoying to carry and i like having the headspace to think / daydream.
Anyone else had to adapt the plan a bit to fit around life?

W2R3 pleased I managed it, but I am very slow.

Bloody hell! Just done W5r3 without stopping 😱

fudgecat Well done!! I did wk 5 run 1 last night and was surprised how unhard I found it! It wasn't easy especially the first 5 minute run which is all up a 5% incline but not as hard as I thought it would be. Hoping to do run 2 tomorrow then run 3 on Friday but am full of admiration for you completing it! 20 minutes non-stop!!