I'm really pumped around getting in shape again and I know I said I want to start slow and work on my diet first, but I keep running into the same problem. I want to do too much too soon and then I become uninterested in losing weight again. I keep reading on the couch to 5k. I always wanted to be a runner, but I am so out of shape. I want to lose this weight to join the air force where running is very required. I want to start the cto5k, but I don't want to take on too much and quit. Before though I was thinking to start out exercising 7 days a week and maybe that's what it was. This program is only 3 times a week. What do you guys think? Should I start now or later?
I haven't done the Cto5k but I think the good thing about it is it starts you out gradually so you don't do too much too soon and then give up in exhaustion and failure. It's a great way to start!
I broke into running very slowly. I walked for 6 months before I even attempted any running. I worked up to 3-7 miles a day walking. Then I would run for 30 seconds and see how I felt. Eventually, I could run for a minute. Then I could run through a song or two on my headphones. Every little success pushed me to stick with it.
In November, I decided to buy proper running shoes and commit to a program. My program is 3-4 days a week, and never on consecutive days. After 2 months, I can run 5 miles on my long run! Now, I'm not saying this is how you should approach your program, but I'm just saying you can accomplish a lot in a short space of time without overtraining and burning yourself out.
If you have the motivation to start exercising, start now. Make it a habit before it wears off. C25K is a great program. I didn't follow it, but I'm doing something similar. I walk for at least 6 minutes to warm up, then I run for as long as can. Then I walk until I feel like I can run again. Rinse repeat. I finish with a 5 to 10 minute cool down. I try to do it every other day. Definitely not more than that. You'll be amazed at how quick your body will adapt.
I would say to be very careful at your current weight if you arent used to running. I used to be in the Army and I loved running, especially trail running. When I decided to get back into shape I jumped on the trail and tried to find my old routine. BIG MISTAKE! I have a few micro-fractures in my feet from that poor decision making process.
If you arent familiar with fractures I will just say that having them in your feet makes you very aware at how important the feet are to human movement, in other words, ouch. Apparently (per the doctor) despite my running history my feet were unable to handle the continuous shock absorption of so much weight. Now I am on a walking program and taking osteo flex, which is speeding up the healing process and strengthening everything against future fractures.
Remember that this is just me and that I seem to be in the minority with this opinion and issue. You might do just fine. Good luck!
Last edited by The Last Noel; 01-01-2011 at 08:18 PM.
I think it's awesome and you should start right away! And listen to your body. Some days I can run 30 minutes on the treadmill without stopping, and other days I can only run 5 minutes and need to walk the other 25. I checked this plan out online and it looks really neat...you can do it!
I had this too-much-too-soon problem going on in the beginning. It's been one of my biggest hang ups with weight loss. I always did way too much and always there came a day where I just couldn't do it anymore. Then I'd quit and give up entirely.
So this time I gave myself a baseline of activity. This was something I had to do even if I didn't feel like it. Right now, at the level of fitness I have, that's spinning M/W/F and lifting T/TH. It's easy for me. Additionally I can add anything I want, but giving up any extra activities when it gets too hard is a mental leap I can make.
So yeah...start now! But make sure you start with something SUSTAINABLE. If you feel like giving up because you've gotten overzealous, have something to fall back on without quitting altogether.
Start now with exercise but don't feel like you have to do the C25K right now. I myself want to try it but I realized that I don't enjoy how running makes me feel at this weight. I like running but I have too much muscle and joint pain to add to it with running right now (I have fibromyagia, supposedly). I set a goal of where I think I can start something like C25K again and be okay. If that doesn't work, I'll adjust and wait again.
So, what I'm saying it try it and see how you feel. If you enjoy it and you feel okay then go for it. If it feels like too much then ease off and do something else. Some people can seem to run no matter what they weigh, others like me can't stand the stress on their joints. It just depends on the person.
Too Fast, Too Soon
