Who's with me for couch to 5k?!

[Badgoushk]

I'm going to start Couch to 5k when my new trainers arrive (today/tomorrow/weekend) and wondered if anyone wants to start too and we can have a little support group going?

I'm 39, 2 stone overweight, haven't done any running for over 10 years and even then I couldn't run 5k without walking. I have 2 young children and want to shape up. I currently swim twice a week and walk a lot (9,000 steps a day). But I'm still pretty unfit. I need to get my heart rate up!

So who is going to join me?! You need to be able to commit to 3 runs a week (30 minutes) for 9 weeks. Have a google of couch to 5k to see what it involves if you're not sure. I'll be using an app on my phone.

Who's in?!

[missedith01]

livefrommysofa The most important thing is to get started and that you've achieved. If you managed 4 of the runs maybe next time you'll manage five. I think week 1 is a nightmare, so many small runs, it's difficult to keep yourself motivated. I actually found week 2 better even though the runs were a bit longer there were fewer of them.

[MooChops89]

Forgot to post yesterday - did W2R1 and it was hard work! I went to Body Combat on Monday instead of doing a run. I'm back at work tomorrow for 6 12h shifts so it will probs be a while til I go again. Don't want to fall off the wagon like I have done before!

[packofshunts]

Have changed apps to the NHS C25K programme and the lovely Sanjeev. Much easier to listen to than the cheesy American one!

Had gait analysis done today and came away with a smart new pair of trainers. Didn't expect to spend so much but the analysis would have been £30 on its own so hey ho.

[Badgoushk]

Love a bit of Sanjeev!

I'm doing W2R1 tonight. I'm a bit nervous.

Well done everyone!

[beepbeeprichie]

Badgouhk have fun!
Just did W2R2. I actually don't mind that the runs are a bit longer as there are fewer of them. My big concern is how I'm going to manage when I'm not counting down to the next walk and we've got to run for longer

Have a lovely Friday evening folks! I'm having a glass of fizz but a very healthy dinner. Hoping they balance out....

[Cheekybiscuit]

Did W2R1 this morning. I got around but I am finding it hard going. Seriously cannot imagine completing the longer runs.

[Badgoushk]

I just did W2R1. It was okay although I felt everything wobbling! I think I was going slower than week 1. I also liked it because there were fewer runs. Week 3 is going to be a killer! I'm hungry.

[Badgoushk]

How's everyone getting on? I just had a nice outdoor swim at my local pool. Bliss! I've found I'm swimming faster since starting C25k.

[MirabelleTree]

DH came out with me and we found somewhere shady so did W3R3. An outdoor swim sounds really lovely !

[MoreProseccoNow]

Week 3 ticked! Have found it a strange programme this week, only 1x90 second run plus 2x3 mins . Next week will be a shock, I think.

[MirabelleTree]

Mine was a little different MoreProsecco as had 2 x 90 second and 2 x 3 mins. Feel the same about next week - Think we need to remember if we don't crack it on a run it becomes a practice run not a failure!

[Badgoushk]

I think mine's the same as yours MirabelleTree and yes, totally agree about practice runs!

[beepbeeprichie]

Ooh I've just finished week 2 and quite nervous about week 3 MoreProsecco

[Badgoushk]

I feel really proud of myself as I needed to do W2R2 today to keep on track. I normally go out at dusk while my husband looks after the little ones (if they wake up) but tonight he was driving my Dad home and wouldn't be back until after dark. So I had to run in front of other people in daylight!!! And it was 32 degrees at 4pm when I did it!! I'm feeling so pleased I started C25k. I'm pretty sure I'm noticing changes to my body shape too xxx

[beepbeeprichie]

Great work Badgoushk!!!
I'm so blooming fat it's going to take some time for my body shape to change 😄
Tough day today with it being Father's Day as I felt quite low but if I can do it today and you can do it in 32 degree temperatures then I think we will be sailing to 5k!!!!

[Badgoushk]

Thanks beepbeeprichie. Sorry it's been a tough day for you today. Ha! I'm pretty fat too. Yes, if we can do today, we can do any day!

[MirabelleTree]

Beepbeeprichie You can do this. Count to 120 then you are 2/3 there and just need to count to 60. Once you've done that first three minutes you are halfway there and you have done it once so you can do it again. I'm not ready to let go of counting until I absolutely have to !

Well done Badgoushk, so impressed you ran in 32 degrees, I would barely be able to walk in that !

Woke up early and decided to get out before the heat started. W4R1 done. Was a bit nervous but told myself I could do it. Still very very slow and it takes forever to overtake walkers but I did it.

[Wawawaa]

So I'm on week five and did the first 20 minute run a couple of days ago, which was actually fine, wooo! :) The only thing is I've been feeling like the tin man the last couple of times. About three runs ago I immediately felt my joints were pressured, so I had a couple of days break and limbered up more before the next one which was better.

I actually look forward to my my runs these days but right now I just feel so stiff, it feels like my body is telling me to ease up (or is that just lazy talk?). Has anyone else had this? Wondering if I should give the running a mini break and move onto some swimming (but the local pool is a hair fest, eww) or zumba classes. I'm a size 12 and weigh 11 stone, almost the same as my DP so I know I'm a bit heavy and the running will get easier when I've lost some more weight.

[Badgoushk]

Wawawaa, amazing about your 20 minute run! I can't imagine that at all yet. Do you stretch a lot afterwards? Hot bath after? I'm not feeling 'tin man' myself yet but I've only run 90 mins in one go! But I notice I'm a lot less flexible so I reckon I'm not stretching enough after each run.

I'm hoping for an open air swim this afternoon followed and will do W2R3 tomorrow night. I'm pretty much sticking to Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for my runs.

Good luck today everyone! And thank you for your encouraging words Mirabelle!

[packofshunts]

Uuuurgh, W2 R2 - that was hard this morning. Am dripping in sweat. Running on treadmill doesn't do you any favours in this weather

Depressingly yesterday I read that weightloss is 10% exercise, 90% diet. Surely that can't be right??

[missedith01]

I've missed two runs since it got hot ... just cannot run in this heat and don't have a treadmill, but I got up at 6am this morning to stop the rot and do W2R2 while it was still cool.

Now feeling totally smug.

[MoreProseccoNow]

pack yes, it's true, sadly! I'm not losing much weight, despite doing c25k & always get 10k steps (have 2 days a week off walking/running).

I'm doing 5:2 this week as I have booked a last minute holiday. Am going to order a tankini as my bikini days are over (11st 4 & 5'1").

I did w4r1 last night; it's a big jump up from the weeks before: 2x 5 mins & 2x3 mins, with 90s walking between.

I managed it, but was very pink & sweaty after. An elderly man made a comment while I was out running; maybe he thought I was going to expire.

[Badgoushk]

packofshunts, it needn't be 10% exercise, 90% diet. It depends on how much exercise you do! Work out the number of calories you need to eat a day to lose weight and if you want to eat more then increase your exercise. I'm eating 1800 kcal a day but burn an average of 550 kcal a day in exercise (swim 1.5 x a week; C25k 3 x a week; walk 10,000 steps a day). I'm not prepared to eat less than 1800 a day so had to up my exercise!

[Badgoushk]

Also, I find that exercise reduces my appetite.

[packofshunts]

Thanks Badge, Prosecco

Is MFP the best way to work out calories for weight loss?