[JBak590]

Hey Everyone. I want to get started on running. I want ot start out walking then running. Is there any good plans to do this? I want to start doing it everyday in the morning. Does anyone have any good stories about how running/walking has helped them lose weight. My problem is I am trying to lose weight but I am stuck in the house all day babysitting and it is so hard to lose weight while the fridge is just right in the other room. So I figured maybe if I got out more and ran/walk it would help out and maybe drinking alot more water b/c i dont drink any to begin with it might help. I weigh 179 and want to be 130. I know alot of weight to lose. But hopefully yall people can help me out with support.
Thanks.

[mandalinn82]

Google "Couch to 5k".

It is the best plan I know of to go from walking to running. However, you don't run every morning - your body needs to rest. So you can do other exercises on other days.

Drinking water is a great trick! Welcome to 3FC!

[JBak590]

What would be a good idea for other exercised throughout the week if I cant' run on Mon, Wed and Fri?

[mandalinn82]

Oh gosh, there are tons of options! What do you have available to you? You could always WALK every day, then do the C25K stuff (abbreviation for couch to 5k) on the other days. If you have a pool, you could swim. Mini-trampolines are about 40 dollars - you can bounce in front of the TV or listening to music. It all depends what you have at your disposal! Obviously the exercise someone can do with a gym membership is different than without.

[JBak590]

So does walking/running auctually help the losing weight progress or does it just help maintain your weight after you lose it? BTW your progress picture collage is awesome you look great!

[mandalinn82]

Thanks!

My perspective on weight loss (and other people have other ideas, but this is what has worked for me and, seemingly, most of the maintainers on the board) is that weight loss is basically calories in vs. calories out. If you eat less calories (calories in) than you expend (calories out), you'll lose weight.

So walking, like all forms of exercise, big or small (taking the stairs more, walking instead of driving for short-range errands, etc), burns calories, meaning you will help that calories in-calories out balance shift in such a way that you'll lose weight. Different activities burn different amounts of calories, depending on your weight, fitness level, and metabolism, but ALL exercise will burn more calories than sitting on the couch, and that extra calorie burn will help both weight loss and maintenance.

[JBak590]

I have found my problem is the fact that I eat between meals and drink lots of coke. So hopefully I can try and cut some of it out and then walking. I will want to build up to running 5 miles. I dont see myself ever doing that though lol.

[Diva]

Here's a link to a nifty little program to get you started. I have been inspired by the men and women in this forum, and have decided to start running too, but I am taking it slow like the program on this link:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

[JBak590]

Thanks

[alinnell]

Another vote for the C25K program. And be sure to check out the monthly C25K thread in the exercise section here. There are a bunch of us--some just starting out, others who are veterans and almost done. We offer lots of support!

I agree that doing a different exercise on the off days would be a good idea. I'm still trying to incorporate that into my routine, but for now at least I can relish the fact that I'm exercising at least 3 days per week! LOL