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

This is a good exercise for core strengthening which doesn't involve bending the back like crunches do. Looks easy but it very quickly starts to burn!

My mum did exactly this when she started running aged 62. She started with couch to 5k and when she was able to do 5k she then started going to parkrun. All the best to you both!

Planks are better than crunches.

Get some proper trainers and good socks, they make more difference than you might expect.

I would suggest finding a local 5k race in a couple of months so that you have something to aim for. Don't be intimidated, they are a lot of fun. There are often fun runs in December which would be a good target. And don't worry about it if you feel like you'll have to walk a bit, I always do and there are lots of others.

Fair warning though, you might find it gets a bit addictive!

I think Couch25k is possibly tough at your age and levels of activity. I’m a little younger (in my late 50s) and I used a programme called NoneToRun which is also a graduated training programme but takes things slower than c25k (you get to 5km after 12 weeks not 8) and focuses on joint health with bespoke stretches and exercises between runs and online advice if you start to experience problems like shin splints or hip pain.

From being very sedentary I can now comfortably run 6 or 7k on a regular basis. Though I’m not fast!

www.nonetorun.com

Double posted

Triple posted!

Of course you can, it’s dieting that won’t do that.

@Disturbia81 , you gain muscle by targeting an area. The fat loss is from all over.

Try googling 'Can you lose fat from a specific part of your body with targeted exercises'

Another vote for couch to 5K. If you’re already walking an hour a day, you’d easily cope with the first few weeks.

And, I can’t believe no one has mentioned it yet, but Park Run! Go and check out your local one, you will see all kinds of people, some older than you, running and walking.

A although, I agree with most others here, that too can’t spot reduce fat, especially middle aged spread (I know). Abs are made in the kitchen, as the saying goes.

3 people mentioned parkrun on page 1 ! 😄

But agree it's a good way to do 5k and track progress, for free. My 15 year old suddenly decided he wanted to do it last week after not running for years. I had given up asking if anyone wanted to join me!

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Couch to 5K yet.
(sorry just joining in)

Tell that to my csection overhang that has dramatically reduced from crunches/planks/pilate rolls when nothing else would touch it 🤣

@Disturbia81 , it will be because your core muscles are so much stronger. They act like a girdle.

Do a search on 'can you target fat loss?' and you'll get all the replies saying you can't.

Good luck to her. I started at 48 and have lost my excess weight including my belly.

I did C25K but at a slower rate than they expect. It took me months but I avoided injury and have gone on to run regular 10ks which I enjoy.

This might all hinge on what @smallzoo99‘s concerns are though. If she wants to reduce visceral fat around her organs, no she can’t spot reduce in that way. If she wants her midriff to look smaller and feel less wobbly, then targeted exercises on that area will help for sure.

I totally believe you and it makes sense but there is definitely less fat there too, it was a big soft pouch and is now much smaller and firmer. Maybe the core muscles getting strong have accelerated fat loss all over?
It sounds like we can target muscle gain then, and then that leads to all over fat loss? So we should still target certain areas if we want to shrink them

Join parkrun. You will love it and you can bring the dog. 5k but you can walk bits and then there is coffee at the end.

Don’t want to put you off but it’s so easy to I more your knees or hips by jogging.

What sort of I more, @cupfinalchaos ?

C25k was excellent for me when I took up running.
def recommend it. There is also a C210k which my friend did and loved it.

recommend you get some regular sports massages in the diary too. To spot any niggles and sort them out. Can go to a physio too.

however for women heavy weights are recommended and I understand weights and resistance training will do more than running.

look up Dr Stacy Sims for some more info and inspiration. She is amazing in this area.

also Sally Gunnnell (Olympic gold hurdles 1992) has some videos which may be worth a look
https://www.independent.co.uk/health-and-fitness/sally-gunnell-workout-lifes-hurdle-b2758575.html#:~:text=Gunnell's%20exercise%20goals%20are%20refreshingly,%5D%20in%20each%20training%20session%20.%E2%80%9D