should overweight people run?

mwyvr

b_magill wrote: »

But PLEASE, please, please make sure you start slow and make proper form a priority. A knee surgery is going to set you back a heck of a lot further than not running will, KWIM?

+1.

Joining a local running clinic would be a good, no, GREAT, idea for most. In many areas you can find one that caters to all levels including heavy folks who can't, yet, run. A good clinic will feature a proper plan designed to reduce the risk of injury, and a many offer qualified speakers and instruction on form, stretching, and other topics.

No clinic in your area? Read up, ask questions.

I fear injury more than anything, because a serious sports injury (not from running!) is what started me down a 8+ year path of weight gain.

mwyvr

gothchiq wrote: »

According to my doctor: No, because it will bash up your joints and possibly give you stress fractures. Go for low impact or no impact.

In your opinion was that advice specifically tailored for YOU due to your extensive medical history or was the doctor giving out advice broadly for the entire population of the planet?

If the latter, your doctor sounds fairly clueless on the topic. That's not uncommon among GPs.

See a sports med specialist and ask her/him instead.

nik_nak_83

Thanks everyone for all the posts!!! So much good advice! Much appreciated x

tomatoey

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

girlinahat wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

girlinahat wrote: »

...the impact on your knees which running will do.

Nonsense

running will impact your knees, it can't not. foot hits ground, shock goes through bones and knees.

And the musculo-skeletal system absorbs shock loading. There are a number of issues about how one lands that may influence how that shock loading is absorbed in the system, and these can be mitigated as well.

The "musculo-skeletal system"? Different tissues do different things. Cartilage absorbs the stress, and it's prone to wear. Strength training can help, sure, I imagine it can reduce some stress, but can stronger muscles do what cartilage does? I'd be interested to know more about the % difference it makes in shock reduction. (Similarly for the relative contribution of foot strike etc.)

jgnatca

I am by BMI, "overweight", just coming out of "morbidly obese" and "obese". I am running. To reassure my daughter, I took a class and learned how to do it right. I also got advice from my physiotherapist. I run because I love it.

My knees are suffering because my hips are too tight and my core is too weak. I do stretching exercises prescribed and a yoga class every week.

It pays to work on those core muscles now.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361132463846856684/

cwolfman13

nik_nak_83 wrote: »

I am overweight, there I said it! I have recently taken up running but man it hurts! It hurts my lower back and my.hips and my knees, but running I the 'thing' to be seen doing right? My question is, am I doing myself more harm than good?

What is this "thing" you speak of? Your exercise should be about you and what you enjoy doing and about what you want to accomplish from a fitness standpoint. I personally hate running...if I'm running, something very bad is chasing me. On the other hand, I can spend hours on my bike logging numerous miles with no issue. If what you're doing is causing you pain and/or is just plain unenjoyable for you, how are you going to commit to a lifetime of fitness?

IMO, if you're substantially overweight, I'd opt for something lower impact...running is high impact to begin with, and it's going to be that much more so if you're heavy. Like I said, I'd probably opt for something lower impact and then start doing some running once I cut a bit.

Beyond that, shoes are incredibly important...if you want to run you should get properly fitted at a running store where they can analyze your gait. If you're going to run, you can't cheap out on the shoes.

DawnEmbers

One certainly can but it does help to work your way up as opposed to just running all of a sudden.

I started with just walking in September and tried to jog a couple minutes to see if I could. It was hard and awkward at over 200 lbs. Still, on occasion during my cardio sessions, including on the treadmill, I would jog for a song. I have been lifting weights since the very end of October as well. Now, I just finished week 7 of Couch to 5k training and jogged 25 minutes for 3 days this week.

I also have bad knees (had problems with them starting in 6th grade basketball), problems with right hip from hurting it bowling years ago and arthritis in my lower back (also from bowling as are a few arm issues, but I still love bowling, lol). I take my jogs slow, have shoes that work well for my feet and am building up. I might even do 10k training next. Any doctor I've seen has basically said to be careful but hasn't said not to do anything. I even can barbell squat my body weight for 3 reps now. (I did 3 reps with 165 lbs as that was just above my body weight at the time when I tried.)

I will say, it has gotten easier to jog after losing some weight. It was far more awkward/challenging at 200 lbs than it is now, at 159. I'm still obese for my height but almost to the overweight mark cause yeah, I'm short. So, as others have said it can be done.

sistrsprkl

Why not? I was overweight when I started running. As long as your doctor says it's fine, go for it. If you enjoy it

mwyvr

sistrsprkl wrote: »

Why not? I was overweight when I started running. As long as your doctor says it's fine, go for it. If you enjoy it

+1

Many, many, people slog through the hard early going and become running fans.

Never know until you try!

rrruuunnn

Try walking on incline. I did that for a couple years to build my cardio. I wasn't overweight. And you get to work those behind muscles like butt hamstring back and calves.