I started the C25K this morning and it was better than expected! Where I live, there are a lot of hills so there wasn't really the option to ease myself into it on flat ground, but I survived

Does anyone know how many times a week it is recommended to do the C25K, and does anyone know of some good weight training exercises I can do on the days I don't do cardio? I'm a student so a gym membership at the moment really isn't feasible financially.

I downloaded a free app on my android phone that I'm really happy with - by Zen labs fitness. It has me running 3 times a week. I'm on week four now, and I'm really surprised by how quickly my fitness levels have been increasing! It's awesome.

Thanks so much for the suggestion Raisin5Cookies! I'll see if there's something similar for iPhone

Good luck!

Just completed week 1 day 2 of C25K! I'm amazed at how much easier it was for me than the first day, even though it was longer...maybe I'm just getting used to it

It's pretty impressive how quickly we can see improvements! Good job.

I did day 2 of week 4 this morning, and it was already easier than last time. Good thing, too, because it really ramps things up in week 5!

I just started c25k today! ��

Just completed week 1 day 3!

It's funny Raisin5Cookies, before I started running I would never have believed that I would see improvements so quickly - and it's slowly but surely becoming an enjoyable activity for me!

Good luck, Destony! Your weight loss so far is so inspiring!

Thank you!! Looking forward to comparing notes with you all. Are any of you using MFP? I can't get it to recognize c25k...

I did the whole 9 week C25K recently. I started in July and ran my first 5K in early November. It really is amazing how the program gets you to slowly increase your fitness. I didn't worry so much about mileage as much as just getting to where I could run the prescribed time.

When you get to Week 5, there's a big jump from running/walking, to running 20 minutes straight. It's scary and seems impossible, but you can do it!

Bravo for starting! Well began half done! I am a C25k graduate and have since run a half marathon so I promise you it is doable.

Week 1 day 2 done!!

OP, it looks like you're doing really well! Very inspiring!

So, a question for the thread, if that's okay. I'm thinking about starting C25K. I'm not concerned with my speed so much as being able to get to where I can run 30 minutes consecutively.

However, I'm not very in shape. And it is cold and wintery where I live right now. I don't love exercising outdoors in the winter (probably because I'm unfit).

It makes me a bit nervous to try and learn to run outdoors in the winter. I don't want to end up hating running, but I want to start learning soon.

Are any of you starting C25K and learning to run in the winter (if you live somewhere that it gets cold)? How is that going? Any tips?

Just completed week 2 day 1! I'm slowly realising that it's not my fitness level that's holding me back, it's my "I can't" attitude - before I started this morning I was convinced that I couldn't run for 1.5 minutes, but I totally could and ended up feeling great!

Destony - I use MFP, and to log my C25K I use the Lorna Jane app whenever I run; it may not be the most accurate in the world (it's a free app), but I find it's better than nothing!

Penny105 - I can't really help you with your concerns about the weather (it was 40 degrees where I live yesterday - about 104 fahrenheit!), but in terms of general motivation, I find it easier to get prepared the night before and choose my workout clothes. One of the major motivators for me since I started running is the "runners high" you get after exercising - just remembering how good I felt after my last workout really helps me to get out of bed in the morning. If you're concerned about running in the dark or when it's really cold, maybe you could run during the day? If you have a lunch break, maybe you could do it then - the C25K workouts are short enough that it's possible for them to be done within a fairly tight time frame. Good luck with starting! It's always the first couple of days that are the hardest.

Yes, definitely prepare the night before. There's nothing worse than rushing around the house trying to find your sports bra (ask me how I know!).

My best friend in high school was a crazy cross-country runner and she would take (force?) me running with her in the snow. The key was layers that you can peel off when you start getting sweaty, I think.