Hi Everyone!!

It's been a while since I've been on here, but I'm looking to really get this weight off. I've been so unmotivated lately, but found interest in the C25K program. I've seen so many mixed results-- some people have lost tons of weight, while others have actually gained! Can I get some opinions on this please? Really looking to get this weight loss process started--AGAIN :-P

Is your goal to "tone up" or to lose weight?
The people that gained probably aren't gaining fat, they're gaining muscle.
I've been wondering the same thing for myself, but it's probably just going to vary person to person & how much they actually have to lose if you get what I'm saying

I lost the majority of my weight without running. I haven't been running in quite some time actually, although last time I went I was able to run about two miles.

Losing weight is overwhelmingly about the foods you eat rather than exercise. If your ultimate goal is weight loss then you must watch your food intake in addition to exercising. Running can help you burn more calories overall but it is not the end-all means to weight loss.

I really like C25K. It has given me the ability to run for the first time in my life and I'm 56! I don't think that C25K is any better than other aerobic activities for burning calories, but if you like to run or want to run then I would say you should definitely do it. The endorphins are also wonderful, so there are benefits other than just a pure calorie burn.

I agree that the key to getting the pounds off is to get your eating under control. Do you have foods that trigger overeating? I had to cut out sugar, diet drinks, ice cream, cookies, candy, chips because I always overeat them. Maybe when I get to goal I will try and incorporate them back into my diet.

You will find what works for you. It has to be something that you can make a lifestyle if you want long term success. Best of luck on your journey!

I didn't notice too much weight loss with Couch 2 5K alone, but you know what I did notice? My legs are A LOT firmer, more defined. I will sit on the couch and flick my leg in various places and exclaim to my boyfriend "LOOK! IT BARELY JIGGLES!" So I'm really pleased with it. Before I wasn't dieting, I am dieting and doing C25K now and I have noticed it does assist. Not a ton but it does help.

Oh, it also helped decrease my cellulite. It's still there but not as much of it.

I think any form of physical activity aids in weight loss but the most important thing is diet. I think the program is good you should see results even if its inches and or stamina to run longer.

I completed the whole program and lost 30 pounds in the process. Losing weight is 99% diet. Exercise helps with other stuff like empowerment and feeling fit and healthy. I highly recommend C25K though.

It isn't the ideal in calories loss admittedly, but it is a lot of fun since your progress is so apparent and quick! If you've never run before it can be rather frightening and exhilarating. I've been slowing down on week 4 though, I think it kind of freaks me out!

The only thing I recommend is to take note of what you eat while on it. I can get very hungry post runs and so I have to be very careful not to give into the whole 'Oh I exercised, I can eat a bit more...' cause you can't! You're barely losing 200 calories per session (depending on your weight of course) so its a nice addition but not a free-for-all when it comes to food like spinning classes are.

I started dieting and exercising with C25K in May when I decided to lose weight, and I lost weight. That was the whole reason for doing C25K for me. The plan I did might be different than the one everyone on here talks about, but the main point is the same - be able to run a 5K. If you add exercise into your life when you don't have any, it will help you lose weight. You're burning calories. I lost my first 20lbs in the 3 months I did C25K. But you have to make sure you're paying attention to what you eat too. If you overeat "because you ran that day", you might as well have not done anything.

Any exercise/movement will help you create a calorie deficit.

I've been redoing week 3 for awhile (Recovering from TWO bouts of bronchitis) and now the idea of going on to week 4 is terrifying me!

Other people have already hit the most important points, but I just thought I'd chime in.

I've done C25K several times (once to start and again after each knee injury), and it didn't affect my weight loss; that is, I started running instead of whatever cardio I would normally do, and running is not inherently better exercise than anything else. I think it's a fun program to do during weight loss, however, because it comes with sort of built in non-scale goals that help you feel like you're making progress no matter what is on the scale.