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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Couch to 5K: A healthier year is underway

948 replies

ScienceGeekMum · 08/01/2012 18:44

Through rain and snow and skies of grey
We will keep running the C25K
Though lack of sleep and time do test us
We wil not let excuses best us
For 2012 will be the year
For weight loss, fitness and good cheer
Nine weeks of running isn't that long
So come on ladies, get those running shoes on!

Welcome to all runners, joggers, speed walkers and waddlers! All levels of fitness are welcome here on the Couch to 5k support thread. For more information see the NHS website

Link to the old thread

OP posts:
walkingonthemoon · 10/01/2012 19:42

Completely forgot to post yesterday after D1R1 - went fine! Enjoyed being outside and although my legs felt tired, I was not out of breath which was good. Have started WW this week too. Feeling v motivated - but rest night tonight and then run tomorrow. Good luck all! x

AbbyLou · 10/01/2012 20:02

Perfect sorry to hear about your knee. I knackered my calf last week and was gutted to be missing it. However I rested well and I am now able to run again.
Pan don't despair, just keep going at W1 until you feel happy to move on. I know I will be doing this at my own pace and if I need to repeat a week I will.

MetalSian · 10/01/2012 20:03

The 30 day shred is an exercise DVD by Jillian Michaels who is a trainer on The Biggest Loser I think in America?

It is pretty hard work.
3 different levels of which you are supposed to do 10 continuous days of each.
Each workout has a warm-up, then 3 circuits of 3mins cardio, 2mins strength and 1 min abs.

On youtube there are clips from it if you search.

I felt stronger within the two weeks that I did it.
I think it really works, but it is very hard if you are unfit.
The first few times of it I was literally shaking after I finished.

rusmum · 10/01/2012 20:05

W1,r3. 2.3 miles ave speed 14.25 a mile . Knackered! Wore new running shoes, they made my knees ache and my ties numb! Angry

rusmum · 10/01/2012 20:06

Saw shred in Tesco for a fiver last week! Grin

yehudiwho · 10/01/2012 20:09

just done wk2 run3 and knees creaking a bit- bit hard but there was about 20 secs when i forgot I was actaully running - ....then nearly died and thought I must have missed the lovely laura saying 'slow down now' that must be good mustn't it..forgetting running I mean not dying.
saw no wildlife as park shut and had to pound the streets- liked the sneaky peeks into people's front rooms though - nearly as good as the wildlife . More people should put their lights on and forget to draw the curtains just to entertain c25k-ers

Kewcumber · 10/01/2012 20:31

Pan I get sore shins too. I wonder if you're finding it impossible to do all the runs if you are running too fast. I read a few of the forums and it was one of the things that giving up is put down too - running too fast. My run is barely faster than my brisk walk - just a gentle shamble, then every now and again I go wild and lope Grin

I would also agree with redoing week one then try w2r1 again and keep doing week 1 then trying w2r1 until it seems managable.

I'm also careful to run heel-toe as have a multitude of joint/tendon problmes and a lot of weight bearing down on said joints.

W1R3 for me tomorrow.

HalleLouja · 10/01/2012 20:31

Week 2 day 3 done. Just need to move onto week 3. Feel good on it though. Prefer running in the day but night not so bad.

HalleLouja · 10/01/2012 20:37

I have started the shred but stopped. Might start again in a couple of weeks when I am feeling fitter. She says or weight til I am working and kids are in nursery as I work from home.

ManyMomentsOfMadness · 10/01/2012 21:05

W1R3 done!!!! So pleased as it was easier than R2 Grin
Looking forward to week 2 now, roll on Thursday.

Great to see more people joining us, welcome all :)

topsmart · 10/01/2012 21:05

ooh i forgot to post yesterday too, W1R2.
Felt like my body was made of lead!
W1R3 tomorrow, and I'm going to try an early morning (6am) one. Not looking forward to that AT ALL.
Bleurgh.

rusmum · 10/01/2012 21:30

3lb off this week Grin is it cheating to stick with w1 for an extra couple of runs? Don't feel like I have nailed it. Too slow, and give on on 1 or 2 runs a little early Blush

ScienceGeekMum · 10/01/2012 22:02

rusmum it's fine to repeat weeks if you feel you haven't mastered them.

Well done all us runners today! We are marvellous Grin

OP posts:
ScienceGeekMum · 10/01/2012 22:14

Outinallweathers, ifancyanewname and DorisIsWaiting I've just crunched the numbers and you are the 99th, 100th and 101st runners on our threads!

101 new runners out there! I hope everyone that started has continued even if they haven't been posting - and if anyone has stopped for whatever reason, feel free to come back to us anytime Smile

Meanwhile everyone that's still running - how amazing are we?!

OP posts:
yehudiwho · 10/01/2012 22:15

do you think we might even see each other and never know?

OneLieIn · 10/01/2012 22:17

W2, r3 week 2 complete! I had to double check as I cannot honestly believe it.

Really really really enjoyed tonight. I felt like I could run! I am definitely a night time runner pounding the streets.

Thank you! It's so fab to be motivated by others. Week 3...

You rock, my fellow runners!

cece · 10/01/2012 22:25

Really impressed with everyone. Keep it up!

Woke up this morning a bit stiff but was fine by lunchtime.

W1 R2 tomorrow.

I had trouble sleeping last night though - do you think 10pm was too late to finish my run?

Woodlands · 10/01/2012 22:38

yehudiwho I don't know if you saw on the last thread, I saw someone in my park who was blatantly doing the same run/walk pattern as me the other day (I was still on week 1). But when I asked her if she was doing couch-5k she totally blanked me! Hopefully not someone from this thread with that attitude...

thederkinsdame · 10/01/2012 22:49

yehudiwho I wonder that, too. I did see a runner on Saturday who looked like a possible MNetter. Can't say where though, as I will out myself! Maybe we should all wear the MN scarf as a secret sign to each other?

Well, I feel smug tonight. Not only have I run for the 8 mins, I have also kept snacking to a minimum. DH was tryin to persuade me to have a chocolate bar earlier, but I had an apple instead faints

yehudiwho · 10/01/2012 23:11

Woodlands - i promise I didnt blank you - unless I was gazing vaguely into a tree looking for a woodpecker

nomorecake · 11/01/2012 01:32

hello newbies!
and a pat on the back for everyone. we can do this!!

i've done shred 2.5 times. once last xmas, once in the summer.

you need weights (although i used small bottles of water at first) trainers, space to lie down for floor work and space for jumping (star jumps).

the attraction was that it is only about 20 mins long, no excuses for not having the time!
You do 3 mins strength, 2 mins cardio and 1 min abs, three times. includes, jumping jacks, lunges, squats, crunches, press ups, etc.

i was SO unfit when i started i felt sick and ached so much. but i loved it. and its got my fitness to a place where i could start c25k.
got stronger, fitter and firmer, i but didnt lose much weight, probably because i didnt watch my diet enough.
if you stick with it, you do start to feel fitter within a week.

if i had the time or energy i wouod love to do that on alternative days to c25k.
jillian's really good. not annoying. quite strict.

i think it was really good. i joined a thread on here too which helped. Some people on the thread were losing weight with it, and being careful with diet.

want to learn to run now though... c25k w2r1 here i come!

(i'll shut up now....)

Jnice · 11/01/2012 03:19

W2r3 completed! Felt ok during the runs, but getting a bit bored of the running track. The sun was out todAy though.

I'm thinking I need to stay in the track as my baby is only 11 weeks, he needs a smooth ride doesn't he? He's in an infant car seat in a regular buggy. He's too small for the jogger.

DH is a shred fan. Personally I find it too harsh. I'm injury prone due to muscle tightness. I have a postnatal DVD that I need to fit in for the ab work.

Great work everyone!

ScienceGeekMum · 11/01/2012 03:40

Thanks for the info on the shred nomorecake. I think I'll start it after week 6 of running - as I think week 5/6 is where most people fail, so am focussing on that as a target.

Yehudi, Woodlands and Thederkins, I don't think it was me, I haven't seen any runners on my runs. Maybe we should have a secret hand signal?! By the way where can you get a mn scarf?

cece finishing the first run at 10 probably got your adrenalin pumping and stopped you sleeping. Did you have a warm shower afterwards?

Jnice perhaps you could go round the track in the opposite direction? Can anyone babysit for you? (although pushing the buggy sounds like excellent exercise!) Don't know what else to suggest to counter the boredom. I've already started looking at other possible routes.

Anyway well done runners

OP posts:
Jnice · 11/01/2012 07:15

Thanks sciencegeek - that's a simple but brilliant idea!

BaDaBing · 11/01/2012 07:16

Just completed w2r2 (sitting on my doorstep as I MN on my phone and stretch) and am feeling tiered and proud!

Well done to all of those still running and to all of you considering my advice is just get started. I didn't think I would be able to do it but you will diorite yourself!

Shred sounds goof and have heard lots about it on other threads. Anyone try it and not like it?