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Anyone fancy starting couch to 5k on 26/8?

231 replies

SevenReasonsToSmile · 25/08/2013 13:27

I've done virtually no exercise since I left school, I'm now 27 Blush. I weigh over 14 stone and I'm horribly unfit. I have family history of heart disease and high blood pressure, and I've finally realised I drastically need to do something to improve my health and fitness. DH is running his second London marathon next year, and tbh I find it embarrassing that A) I weigh more than him and B) he can run 26 miles, I'd struggle to run 26metres without being breathless.

I'm running in the evenings after DCs have gone to bed, I'll do Monday, Weds/Thurs then again on Saturday. Anyone fancy joining me?

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/08/2013 17:16

Tomorrow?

Well I'm thinking of starting couch 2 5k but hadn't quite decided when (just got back of holiday and was far from happy with my poolside appearance!), I guess tomorrow is as good as any day! I won't be able to do Wednesdays either, but Monday, Thursday and a weekend could work.

Have you decided which version you're going to go with? The has choices one seems reasonable, and is free but I'm not techy at all so I need to figure out how to put it on DH's iPod (I don't own one!).

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CuriouslyNosy · 25/08/2013 18:12

Ooooh can I join you? I literally just did day 1 today!

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SevenReasonsToSmile · 25/08/2013 18:20

Hello!

curiously how unfit are you and how did you get on? DH thinks I'd be better to start off by just walking, I think I'll at least give it a try though.

I don't have a sports bra so tomorrow might be interesting. Will order one tonight and hopefully have it before 2nd run.

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CuriouslyNosy · 25/08/2013 18:26

I thought I was fit...but the 1st minute proved otherwise, I've not exercised in over 5 years Blush It's very do-able though, you start with 60 seconds jogging, then 90 seconds walking...it gets easier during the 20 minutes in my opinion. Lots if good free apps to push you too :)

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Rugbylovingmum · 25/08/2013 19:06

I'll join you. I've started going to a Rosemary Conley class and have lost 1st 6lb so far but I have about 3st left to go and really need to do some more exercise. I did a couple of pretty slow half marathons several years ago and once I got to the stage where I could do 30 min I really enjoyed a run after work - it was a good time to clear my head and destress. Now I can barely manage 30 secs Shock. I'm struggling to get started with the C25K (I've had the podcast just sitting unlistened on my ipad for ages Blush) so this thread will be great.

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SevenReasonsToSmile · 25/08/2013 21:15

That's a great start rugby, well done!

It doesn't matter how slow the jogging part is to begin with does it? I'm assuming trying to do the whole 60 seconds is more important than the distance? Yes I am that unfit that I think I'll struggle with jogging for one minute!

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didireallysaythat · 25/08/2013 21:24

Count me in. Assuming I'm not too knackered.

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DearPrudence · 25/08/2013 21:33

I'm in, but maybe just walking. The big thing for me will be to achieve the discipline of getting out there and moving for half an hour or so, 3 or 4 days a week. That in itself would be a massive improvement from where I am now.

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CuriouslyNosy · 25/08/2013 21:33

Yes, it's the length of time, not pave that counts.

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CuriouslyNosy · 25/08/2013 21:34

Pace*

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/08/2013 21:45

Which couch 2 5 k programme will you all be using?

I was thinking of trying the NHS choices one - it's free!

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SevenReasonsToSmile · 25/08/2013 22:19

I'm trying the NHS one, it has really good reviews too

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DramaAlpaca · 25/08/2013 22:38

Do it, do it, do it!!

I hope you don't mind me popping over from another C25K thread, but I just wanted to say that C25K really works and I can't recommend it highly enough. I speak as someone who has just finished C25K - in fact I graduated this evening!

I started it on 11th June and I always left two days between runs so it took me longer than nine weeks. I used the NHS podcasts & while the music isn't great, the encouragement from Laura kept me going and pushed me along.

When I started I was overweight, I was very unfit, I had high blood pressure, sore knees and was losing a battle with depression. Two and a half months later I have lost quite a bit of weight, my blood pressure is almost normal, my knees are fine and I am no longer depressed.

I've gone from struggling to run for a minute to running 30 minutes comfortably. I'm not fast and I am nowhere near running 5K, but it's the time you run that counts, not the speed at this stage.

Cheering you all on and wishing you all the best of luck in your C25K journeys!

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/08/2013 22:47

Drama, do you mind me asking how much weight you have lost and which areas you've noticed the biggest change?

I'm 5 foot 6 and weigh 11 stone.

I would love to lose some weight from my tummy and thighs.

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DramaAlpaca · 25/08/2013 23:05

Hi Iwish - I actually don't know exactly how much I've lost because I honestly can't bear to get on the scales Blush. I'm 49, I'm 5'10" and I would like to be about 10 and a half stone (my weight pre-children). I would guess I'm about 13 stone, but it could be more... I am charting my weight loss by what I can see in the mirror and how my clothes fit, and will brave the scales when they get much looser!

But I've lost enough on my bum, tum & thighs to have to get a smaller pair of running tights, and I can now feel firm muscle under the flab on my thighs and my tummy. My bum feels like it's had a butt-lift! My face and chin have slimmed down a lot. The only downside is that my boobs have shrunk Sad. I started noticing real changes in my shape at around Week 6, when the runs got longer.

The NHS choices podcast is really easy to put on an iPod, by the way. I managed it, so it must be easy!

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/08/2013 23:08

Thanks Drama. That sounds great - you should be feeling very proud of yourself for achieving so much. What's your plan from here, will you keep running?

My boobs aren't anything to write home about now, so hopefully they won't shrink too much!!

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DramaAlpaca · 25/08/2013 23:51

Yes, I'm going to keep running & try to improve my speed. I have got the running bug now!

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EauRouge · 26/08/2013 09:06

I'm another graduate, it really does work- but don't use weight to measure your progress. I weigh exactly the same as I did when I started (I actually gained a couple of pounds at one point) but I'm a dress size smaller. Muscle weighs more than fat and you build up muscle running so you might not lose much weight.

A better way to track your progress would be to measure your waist, hips etc or use a pair of jeans and see how loose they get.

Good luck everyone, see you on the Parkrunner thread in a few weeks Grin

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DearPrudence · 26/08/2013 09:31

Thank you for the encouragement, graduates. I've done C25k before, several years ago now and it did feel great. But I feel like I'm back to square one now.

I'm going to go out and do day 1 right now. My main problem is that I'm recovering from a sprained ankle which seems to be taking forever to heal. Well that, and pushing 15 stone Sad. But I'm not going to achieve anything sitting on my arse MNing and eating toast.

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SevenReasonsToSmile · 26/08/2013 09:40

Thanks for the encouragement, great to know that it does work.

pru let us know how you got on when you get back!

Can't believe I'm actually looking forward to going for a run and to having half an hour to myself while DH does bedtime with the DCs

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jammiedonut · 26/08/2013 11:33

First run completed today. Anyone else doing this post pregnancy? For various reasons had to spend the last few months of pregnancy resting, so really found this tough, but the comments from all the graduates has boosted my confidence a little. Not trying to lose weight as such, but eager to get up and about with my son as soon as he starts toddling. Shifting the extra three stone I'm carrying will help with that I'm sure!
Good luck everyone!

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foxinsocks · 26/08/2013 11:47

I'd like to join if that's ok. I am horribly unfit and can barely run 50m - also have chesty breathing problems. I very much doubt I will make 5km but I'd like to start off doing the walking. I work full time and if I don't get the bus from the station to the office, it is a 2km walk so I'd like to try and do that 4 out of 5 days with one longer walk on the weekend. I love walking just never get the time or motivation to do it especially as the children are now too old to want to walk with me!

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SevenReasonsToSmile · 26/08/2013 11:57

Great, so that's 8 of us so far then.

Well done jammie. I'm post-pregnancy but was never fit before, DD2 is 4 months. How old is your DS?

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dadditlass · 26/08/2013 12:21

Can I join please. I was 36 yesterday and my youngest started school last week so I have plenty of time on my hands. I have well controlled M.E so it will be more of a brisk walk / slow walk for me. I think I will do Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

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DramaAlpaca · 26/08/2013 13:40

Good luck everyone! I'm going to pop back every now & again to cheer you all on Smile.

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