Couch to 5K anyone?

[Tailtwister]

I've decided to take the bull by the horns and try running for the first time. I have about 3 stone to lose, but want to exercise as well as change my eating habits.

I'm all set to start, but I'm terrified of getting out there! I have the NHS podcast all ready to go, but I'm scared of people laughing at me. I know it sounds ridiculous, I'm usually a fairly confident person but I'm so shy.

Any tips from people who have been there and done that would be most welcome. I might try to do my first run early in the morning whilst there's not much traffic around. I live in the suburbs, so can keep to the side streets for some of it but until I know the kind of distance I'll be covering it's hard to make a route plan. Does anyone know the kind of distance week 1 tends to cover? I know it will depend on the speed I go, but an estimate would enable me to work out how far I'll need to go.

Also, what do I need to wear? I have some yoga pants which will do and was thinking a long sleeved top with a light weight fleece on top? It's fairly cold, but I don't want to over heat. I've already got some decent shoes and a sports bra

I started this a few weeks ago and enjoying it. It tends to be a 30min start to end so keep an eye on time and turn round after 15mins if you need to. Make sure you stretch afterwards.
Your outfit sounds good, have you got decent trainers?
I go either 7am or 4ish just as it is getting dark as I don't want to be seen, if very dark near you you will need head torch or high via something !

Thanks for the advice chocolate. I do have decent trainers (they were the one thing I invested in). The streets around here are fairly well lit, but I was wondering about wearing something reflective for safety. I suspect my trainers will keep me seen (judging by the colour!), so hopefully that will be fine.

I've just done my first run! It was actually harder than I thought it would be and I suspect I may be sore tomorrow, but I did it.

The next challenge will be to keep going with it.

I could've written your post just a week or so ago! I'm on week 2 and surprised how much I'm enjoying it but I'm still a big old chicken who goes out running either early doors or at night so it's nice and dark and no one I know can see me! I've been wearing my yoga trousers with a long sleeve thermal layer and either a thin running jacket (or a thin pac-a-mac) when it's been raining, gloves and beanie. As for distance, I'm guessing I covered roughly 2.5 miles in the 30 mins including the warm up and down walk. Good luck!

Oops, cross post. Well done!

When you do the running bits don't go off to fast take it steady
I also have 3ish stone to lose having lost 2, wanted to try something different so joined a beginners group at a local sweatshop which has been fab and they use the NHS schedule we meet once a week