Running when still fat?

aggiepringle6665

So far, I’ve been doing walking on a steep incline, doing eliptical, or stair climber for cardio. I’ve lost 65lbs but have about 140 to go. I’d like to be a runner.
I’ve tried running but can’t make it more than a few steps without pain. Pain in my knees, and pain from everything bouncing and skin stretching. I know I have arthritis in my knees and can work through that. I’m wondering about the bouncing pain. Should I keep going and gut it out, or am I damaging myself in some way? Should I wait until I’m slimmer before starting running?

wizzybeth

In my opinion, you should do more low-impact activities until you lose weight. I find that I don't hurt as much if I do the elliptical. Also cycling is better low-impact activity. As the weight comes off then you could start running

wizzybeth

Honestly from what I've read you get the same benefits from brisk walking as you do running.

aggiepringle6665

I forgot to add that I also swim

HermanLily

Personally, I would wear lycra or spandex underneath your clothing to hold the bouncing and stretching. As for the pain in your knees, in not sure if running would be recommended yet. What does the Dr say about your knees? If it's simply a weight issue, I'd probably 'keep going and gut it out'

HermanLily

Btw, congratulations on the beginning of the new you

TavistockToad

Walking and swimming are a good start.

If running hurts within a couple of steps then don't do it.

aggiepringle6665

HermanLily wrote: »

Personally, I would wear lycra or spandex underneath your clothing to hold the bouncing and stretching. As for the pain in your knees, in not sure if running would be recommended yet. What does the Dr say about your knees? If it's simply a weight issue, I'd probably 'keep going and gut it out'

The damage is done in my knees. I can’t really make them any worse. The pain will get better the lighter I get. Either way, I’m looking at a double knee replacement somewhere down the road.

changeconsumeme

Have you been fitted for running shoes? I had foot and knee pain when running, then I got fitted and it's done wonders for me.

aggiepringle6665

stretchmarksaretigerstripes wrote: »

Have you been fitted for running shoes? I had foot and knee pain when running, then I got fitted and it's done wonders for me.

Yes. It’s helped a lot to have proper shoes. Still hurts like hell though

spartan_d

wizzybeth wrote: »

Honestly from what I've read you get the same benefits from brisk walking as you do running.

That's really not true. You still burn more calories per mile by running. Running also produces greater strength gains, and it places more emphasis on the glutes and hamstrings -- muscles that tend to be underdeveloped in people who sit around a lot.

Running also places greater demands on one's cardiovascular endurance, for obvious reasons.

Years ago, it was fashionable for magazines to say "Walking burns just as many calories as running!" That was based on sloppy science, though. Not to mention that caloric burn is just one small portion of what it takes to be healthy.

The health benefits of walking are frequently overstated. HOWEVER, it is easy to start, and it is gentler on the knees. The latter is often of benefit to people who have joint issues or are overweight.

jgnatca

The pain is from the impact. Might I suggest racewalking? Speed without the impact. Word around here is that our racewalkers can outpace many of our runners! Also, try softer surfaces like lawn or dirt paths.

http://www.racewalk.com/

For all the jiggly bits, I suggest a spandex based outfit that keeps everything tucked in well.

Spliner1969

aggiepringle6665 wrote: »

HermanLily wrote: »

Personally, I would wear lycra or spandex underneath your clothing to hold the bouncing and stretching. As for the pain in your knees, in not sure if running would be recommended yet. What does the Dr say about your knees? If it's simply a weight issue, I'd probably 'keep going and gut it out'

The damage is done in my knees. I can’t really make them any worse. The pain will get better the lighter I get. Either way, I’m looking at a double knee replacement somewhere down the road.

Glucosamine (Osteo BiFlex) may help your knees, it did mine. But your best bet, until lighter, is to stick to walking briskly and using low impact machine like an elliptical. I did not attempt running until I was at my goal weight, and even then it took over a year to make it very far. My 2nd year I managed to run a 5k, and now I'm working on further distances but my knees still whine a lot about it. At first I told myself I'd never be a runner, but now I'm not so sure. Take your time, walk, and use the machines. Lose the weight, it's your best bet.

singletrackmtbr

No one has mentioned running form. Most of us don't know how to run correctly. If you're serious about running, at some point you'll probably want a coach to check your form. As a former running addict, I'm a bit biased, as I have seen too many amazing athletes sidelined by running because they never learned to do it correctly.

If you already have arthritis in your knees, you likely already (and unknowingly) do some strange things with your hips, back, and ankles to compensate for pain. This will be compounded by running, possibly leading to other injuries and more pain.

Losing weight will help (it always does!), but I recommend biking or swimming over running in your case. If you absolutely have to run, try to work in uphills as much as you can to reduce pounding but still get the training effect.

Jthanmyfitnesspal

Don't run if it hurts your knees! Not worth being sidelined while you're getting in shape. You're doing lots of great stuff and-- with luck-- you can add running at some point.

rheddmobile

May I suggest cycling as a higher intensity activity you can do while waiting to lose weight? I do high intensity intervals on my stationary bike and it really gave me a conditioning advantage over my husband when we started c25k together. We were both used to long brisk walks, but running is a whole different business as far as cardiovascular endurance.

If you're hurting, I urge you to try to be patient! Not worth risking lifelong damage, when maybe a couple of years from now you will be able to run without pain.

Also, look into compression garments for the bouncing. When I started doing Zumba I wore a girdle under my workout clothes since athletic compression garments were not supportive enough. Now my skin has shrunk some and regular compression is fine. But you definitely want to support that loose stuff and give it a chance to bounce back.

manderson27

I have Arthritis in my hips and knees and was advised by Doc and Physio that running would be make it worse and to find low impact exercise. Suited me I hate running anyway. I would speak to your doctor or a physiotherapist regarding your Arthritis and running first.

Having said that losing the weight could make anything possible

I really hope you can do this, if not now then in the future. You have already done and amazing job.

7lenny7

Congrats on the weight loss, that is awesome!!

jgnatca wrote: »

The pain is from the impact. Might I suggest racewalking? Speed without the impact. Word around here is that our racewalkers can outpace many of our runners! Also, try softer surfaces like lawn or dirt paths.

http://www.racewalk.com/

I like this idea. When out on my long trail runs I'll often speed hike portions of the run, particularly the uphills. It's the same as race walking but on a trail.

nicolega2001

I am about 100 pounds overweight and cannot run. I tried to for awhile and it was very painful. The doc finally had to tell me to stop and do something else. It was disappointing but I find other things to do instead.

bob_hatcher

Walk on a treadmill. It's a much more forgiving surface than pavement. Don't run yet! Use the incline to increase your heart rate. When and if you get down to about your goal weight plus 10% then introduce some running on the treadmill. For example, if you are doing a 30-minute workout then every five minutes run for 30-seconds and then walk again. If that's comfortable then increase the running up to a minute and reduce the walking interval. So, maybe 3-months after you've introduced the running you might be doing a workout like this: 5 minute warm-up at a slow pace, say 2-3 mph, then five minutes at 4 mph, then, then 60-seconds of running every three minutes or so.

The key is how your knees feel. If they hurt, STOP.

middlehaitch

I don't think I would run at the moment.
Keep up with the walking and swimming.

If you go to the pool frequently, see if they offer aqua fit. It will really compliment your other activities (but is low impact), as well as improving balance, flexibility, and mobility.

If you go to the gym, give the rowing machine a go, a good all around workout with no impact.

Cheers, h.

ValiRaeDee

This is a great discussion!

I, too, have an interest in running but I've been experiencing some knee pain. My husband, who's been running for years, took a look at my stride and determined I was over pronating my feet. He got me some new shoes with serious insoles that have corrected the problem. I've still been having some irritation in my left knee, so I added in knee supports on the advice of one of my doctors. I also do some very targeted stretching before I run to try to mitigate problems.

I'm not quite there yet, not quite a runner. I'm not obese anymore (hooray!), but merely overweight and still working toward my normal weight. I like the racewalking idea (I just spent about 45 minutes down that particular rabbit hole, and now I'm fascinated!), but perhaps doing other cardio until a lighter weight is achieved might be the best advice for all of us would-be runners.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on this - there's a lot of good stuff here!

LeoT0917

Hurting like hell (especially in your joints) is your body's way of telling you to stop. You may be doing some serious damage. And yes you can do more damage. I would definitely ask your doctor about running and stick with lower impact exercises, until you lose enough weight so there is no joint pain. Take it from someone who used to love running and can no longer do so because I was a stubborn knuckle head who pushed through knee pain all the time.