Quick question.. Are there any in the 'obese' category that are runners? Is it possible? It's something I'm looking into, and would LOVE to do, but I don't know how feasible it is..
I'm thinking it's the time of year to start (I'm heat-averse), and I don't have any health problems (besides my weight, but as far as my yearly physical and other doctor exams, I'm in excellent-ish health)
Any out there who have 'been there, done that'? Also, if it's not too personal, at which weight or weight-range were you when you began? Also, how did it affect your weight loss?
I started sunning somewhere between 240-250lbs; it was hard, but probably no harder than pushing myself now It made a HUGE impact on my weight loss, and still does. My cardio has improved enormously and now, ME- a professed exercise hater! - I LOVE to run!
I followed the Couch to 5K programme, and tweaked it sometimes (running an extra day and stretching out certain weeks and so on) to suit my own level of ability. Now I run at least 4 miles, 3 or 4 times a week
It absolutely IS possible - I do wear a knee support, and I have learned to listen to my body for when it needs to rest and not run, even though I want to! Good luck, and join is in Cool Runners and let us know how you are getting on... the old rule is the best: people tend to push themselves too far, too fast and then get hurt, and subsequently hate running. Some days I still have to force myself to only run a certain distance, even when I feel like I could go on forever!
I started running when I was around 200 lbs, and also followed the couch to 5k program. I initially started with speed walking and upping my distances with that prior to beginning jogging, and I think that probably helped me progress a little faster with the C25K.
I'll echo Heather's sentiment in saying that it is very possible, but you need to be careful about injuries and the like; so listening to your body when it needs to stop and rest is a good idea.
It has definitely helped my weightloss, and is one of the few exercises I find myself actually craving when I'm unable to get out.
Yes, I lost a bunch of weight walking on my treadmill at an incline that progressed and at progressively faster speeds. At some point, it wasn't a big stretch to go from 3.5 on a 6 incline up to 4.0 and 4.5 on a zero incline and so I did. I also did the c25k program but did not finish as i found i needed to repeat weeks and could not find comfort running faster than 5.0, which people have since whipped me for saying that 5 is plenty fast enough and I should have been confident staying there. It had a huge impact on w/l, allowing me to be really careless with eating and still lose weight. Not an endorsement, more like a trap. I would either start yourself on a treadmill, as it is most kind to joints, or if you do try outside, stick to a track or padded surface, or 2nd choice blacktop. Do not run on concrete (ie, sidewalks) as it is the most unforgiving surface.
I started at pretty much my highest weight, so I´ve been there. Take it slowly, listen to your body, and you´ll be fine. When I first started running the only problem that I had was that my foot flared up a bit (I broke my ankle afew years ago, and I don´t think it was striking the floor right in my first pair of running shoes, which hurt my foot), but apart from that I´ve not had any issues.
And I second joining in on the cool runners thread, you´ll get some goodadvice there.
I don't have any advice to add, really, because the other folks covered it, so I'll just add my voice to the chorus of formerly obese runners. I started running VERY slowly and only a little each week when I weighed about 250. Now i'm completely in love with running. I always tell people -- if you have the slightest inclination toward running, you should do it, because you'll LOVE it when it becomes a habit. People seem to either love it or hate it. Definitely join in on the Cool Runners thread, like others have said -- it's a great place for advice, support, inspiration, encouragement, etc. Let us know about your progress! The best advice I can give you, however, is not to worry about your progress -- just have fun with it, and it will fall into place.
I got a work out suit from Todd... and yesterday when I did a little jog around the block (It was BEAUTIFUL out yesterday), mind you I was quite consious of my body, it shows EVERY curve (nice or not) - someone (female) leaned out their window and said "YOU GO GIRL!!! LOOKING GOOD". I had NO Idea who it was but it made me feel nice even though I was winded to heck Then followed up with my new elliptical... I prefer that right now until I can at least drop a few more lbs.
Last edited by tamaralynn; 12-25-2007 at 10:00 AM.
Thanks for all the great responses! For a while, I was thinking about running, but had consigned myself to the inaccurate 'fact' that running (along with skiing, swimming, horseback riding, etc.) was a sport for the super thin and athletic, only. Thanks for the kind words and motivation! Love hearing about everyones experiences.
I am also heavy but don't enjoy running because even as a child when I was quite skinny I would get winded. Have you ever read any of Covert Bailey's books? They are quite interesting and get this his infoformation of yester year is now todays gospel. He would advice obese people to work out several times a day. He said to go SLOWER but do it longer then you would slim down as the longer workout burns fat faster.
He also advises to fast walk for awhile then do a 1 min wind sprint. Then go back to walking.He said even if you only have 12 min at a time just do that then do more throughout the day. Low and behold Womens World also talks about doing several short workouts through out the day.This was in their their most recent edition.
I think I might take up the walking stick workout but wish I could also be a runner.I feel whatever feels right for you is the workout you should stick with as it will be the one you enjoy.I get excellent results with Tony Littles Target Toning but know he annoys many people. The thing is it works for me.
You've already gotten all the good advice I would give, but I'll just chime in as another example of someone who started running while still in the obese category - another C25K graduate. I was about 250 pounds when I started, and I believe running has been a hugely important part of the journey to a normal weight for me. So, if you have the inclination, give it a try! Just take it easy, and make sure to listen to your body.
I started around 210 pounds. Course, I only managed to run about 15 feet at a time, then would walk and pant awhile. I was still in the obese category though (around 190 at 5' 4") when I ran my first 5K race, and in the middle of a noreaster. LOL I came in at 14 minutes per mile. By 170, I had just barely made it to the overweight, and ran my second race, at a little over 10 minutes per mile. Being good weather though I'm sure helped the time tremendously.
As for what it did? It nearly doubled my weightloss from dieting alone.
I actually just started today. I think weight wise as long as you're aware of the proper tools (footware etc) then it's totally possible. I asked the same questions you did a few months ago and the people here were ever so helpful with their suggestions.
Today was definately was a lot easier then any other time I have tried before, but I've been doing other cardio for over 7 months now (Walking, Kickboxing, step etc) so at least cardiovascular wise I was definately ready. I feel this was kind of important because any other time I can think back to trying it in the past I would do 30 second intervals and just about die after each one (lungs hurt etc)
Today I did my own version of the various walk/run programs. 4.5 mins walking (between 4.0mph-3.2 at the end) and then ran for a minute (5.5-5.0 at the end) and just alternated that for an hour. It was quite a work out but it was also shockingly doable although I can feel my legs are tired after all that. But it felt good to be able to run like that for someone whos never been able too. Even though it was only 1 minute at a time I ran a total of 10.5 minutes at 5.0 mph or more. Pretty impressive for a big girl.
Just start where your comfortable and listen to your body.
I started running while I was obese, around 190 pounds. The only regret that I have is that I didn't start earlier.
I did the Couch to 5k program from coolrunnings.com, but I modified it a bit. I did two weeks of Week 1, 4 days of Week 2, 4 days of Week 3, and so on. I almost cried after my first 5 minute run, but 6 minutes later I had to run 5 minutes again.
I was living in South America at the time so I stopped for a while because I got sick of all of the dog poop, cat calls, and drunks following me. So I restarted on Week 4 and have been moving up steadily ever since.
Really, I do regret not starting to run at 220. I do enjoy it that much.
I'm around all the time, though I don't post much. I just had to chime in as another obese runner. I actually think I am about the heaviest runner around right now.. I started last year around this time, and eventually dropped 20lbs and ran 2 5k's even. (and I didn't even come in last). I just had to restart because I let depression and laziness get me after I hurt my foot, but I am back up to a bit over a mile, and already losing again. I just got a treadmill, but even when I was running mostly on the road, I never really have any knee problems. In fact, runnning helped me a bit, because it made me stretch more, and more often, and made my plantar fasciatis(sp?) actually stop hurting me. So good luck, get some good shoes, and lets run off this fat!
'Obese' Runners?
It made a HUGE impact on my weight loss, and still does. My cardio has improved enormously and now, ME- a professed exercise hater! - I LOVE to run! 
