Starting jogging in 60's

[smallzoo99]

My wife is nearly 60 and I am 67. We have three dogs which we walk regularly for an hour or more a day.

My wife wants to lose belly fat so has asked me to start jogging with her. I am more than happy but not sure what regime we should follow, how often, how long etc

We are both reasonably fit with no known health problems

We had a first jog tonight which was 15mins ( a few short walks in that for my wife )

Any suggestions on whats the best way to start

Obviously if anyone can suggest other ways I can help my wife great

We are very busy people working 4 days a week and have other family committments

cheers

Im no fitness expert at all, but if its specifically belly fat I think your wife would be better off with pilates or targeted stomach exercises.

If it's ok to ask does she drink alcohol? As I think that can often cause weight gain around the stomach. In order to lose weight I think you would have do a lot of jogging.

Running After 60 Years Old
Not reached 60, but am thinking of doing the same.
Not read the article yet.

Well for one thing it’s called ‘running’ now - even if people are barely lifting their feet from the ground!😅

Proper kit can help. You or she should find a local running or sports shop offering gait analysis, so you can both be sure you’re wearing exactly the right footwear for your individual bodies and feet.

I’m sure you can sort yourself out, but she will need supportive, and sweat wicking under and outerwear that fits her - so she’ll have to find time for that, no matter how busy.

As for anyone at any age (and you somehow manage to make her sound about 100!) a more generalised exercise regime (maybe at a gym) will make one stronger and more flexible, thus guarding against injury.

(Hoping you’ll say why you’re posting on your wife’s behalf …)

My husband started in his sixties. He’s 66 now and runs regular 5ks.

He uses the Couch25K app, as have I, and it works brilliantly.

My friend started running in her 60s and is still going in her late 70s. She's my role model

It absolutely can be done, but be careful about recovery. Use a run/ walk method to get your body used to the movement. C25K starts this way and builds into longer blocks of running. This approach might take more patience than for a younger person. I did C25k very gradually as I had a young baby and a lot of Life in the way so it can be done on fewer than 3 runs per week, it just takes longer to get through the programme.

An alternative method is "Jeffing" short run/ walk intervals for the whole run which is lower impact than continuous running.

Get fitted for comfortable running shoes. While novice running is low milage so doesn't need niche shoes, comfortable, new shoes will reduce stress on the joints.

Register for parkrun. It can be walked, run/walked, but it's a great community where you can see the full range of the running community from all age groups.

I second the recommendations to use Couch 2 5k. You will minimise risk of injury by taking it steady and increasing effort gradually.

Also, Parkrun. Fabulous, you can walk/run as you wish and ituis free and friendly.

C25k is your friend. Brilliant programme.

But unless I am doing something very wrong I can tell you as a runner in my 60s running won’t fix belly fat; either as exercise or as a calorie burner. It’s great for your heart and good for bone resiliance, and there are views that it’s good for cartilage/knee health too, but it won’t melt your tummy away. Sadly.

Definitely this, some stomach crunches have sorted my belly fat and I thought nothing would, easy to do while watching tv

Just go for it. Build up slowly, listen to your body. It's a great exercise. Join a parkrun if there is one near you, that can be motivational. I run regularly, just for me, mid 60's.

Couch to 5k. Either on the app (and there's a brilliant online forum where they will provide support, advice, links to stretching exercises etc). Or lots of local running clubs also run couch to 5k beginners courses. Then Pilates or something similar for that belly! Got to get the abs working

Forgot to say, c25k is misnamed so don't be put off. Should be couch to can keep moving for 30 minutes, but that's not so snappy

Thanks for all the great replies... very positive after hearing them

Couch to 5k is brilliant, nice gentle start, and running is one of the best exercises for using calories. Apologies if I’ve duplicated responses

Any good videos for stomach crunches which I would imagine could do more harm than good if done wrong 😀

The new rules of running without getting injured

https://www.thetimes.com/article/73ed7f9e-75e8-4331-953d-c1494048be29?shareToken=2c2f9aab3edfa44b730500727a37ead7

Running isn’t that great for weight loss - until you get to a good level of fitness and keep your heart rate fairly low. It tends to predominantly burn glycogen stores rather than fat. However it can be great in preventing further weight gain. And has all sorts of other benefits, can change body shape etc.

Even when I was running 65 miles a week at one point I didn’t lose weight - however I could eat lots without gaining weight and my body looked athletic as more muscle. Your walks are probably burning more existing fat stores than running will.

I do all the ones on the 30 day shred, you could watch that and fast forward the cardio and weights. I can’t believe how much my c section shelf has reduced

YouTube is your friend for exercises

im 68 and just started running

.

i encourage anyone starting out with running to use couch 2 5k as it teaches you how to run and lets you see your progress in a way that keeps you motivated.

you probably want to do some core and lower limb strengthening exercises alongside.

Do couch to 5k. My 62 year old mum did it and loves it.

I echo the Couch 2 5k recommendations. Running won’t specifically target belly fat though. It will make you feel great though!

And know 60 isn’t old right? Certainly not old enough to be writing as if she’s in her dotage.

And @Faineante its those sort of comments that put people off starting. Better to be a slow runner than no runner at all no matter how much that makes you elite athletes laugh.

The free NHS Couch to 5k is a great way to start - the HealthUnlocked C25k forum has great advice and support. I'd also recommend doing strength training but it is worth being aware that strength moves that bend the shoulders forward (e.g. crunches) or twist the spine (e.g. russian twists) can be a problem if there are underdetected bone density issues which are very common in women in their 60s particularly if there's any family history. Weight bearing exercise is good for bone density and independence in general, but choosing the right exercises is important.

You can't lose fat from specific parts of your body by doing targeted exercises.

Perhaps you’ve misunderstood my comment, @BitOutOfPractice? I’ve posted on this thread because I too am currently starting running at a similar age.