Newby Runner with lots to lose

dinaruns2018

Hello there!
As my profile says: I have struggled with my weight since puberty (now 35 years old). But I know I can lose weight if I stick with a plan and a routine. I am my own worst enemy. I procrastinate and I'm really good at making excuses. I have had friends who've started "accountability groups", but I find they procrastinate worse than me and that frustrates me more. So now, I'm going on my own solo journey to build the best version of me possible!
Last year, I did my first 5K in June with a time of 44:42. I know that's not great, but I was so pumped! I honestly didn't think I could do it in less than 45 minutes. My second 5K was in September, and with only a good month of training in between due to a knee injury, I managed to shave 2 minutes off my time. Again...super pumped! And that's where it stopped. Fall was cold, days got shorter, and I used my knee as an excuse not to run.
Excuses are for losers and I'm done with that. I want to know what this body actually looks like under all this extra junk I'm carrying around. A coworker told me about this site to help with meal planning and watching calories and macros, so I decided to try it out.
I am already registered for four 5K races this year, with my first one being at the end of May. I would love to finish that one in 35 minutes (is that possible? I don't know, but I'm sure gonna try!)
Looking a for a few friends to make this journey a little more interesting.

rsclause

You can add me. I went from a "I can't run because of my knees" to an avid runner and choose a half marathon as my first race...the day before the race. Running made me feel good and put my weight loss in turbo mode. I ended up running 30 miles a week and lost 50 pounds. I have slacked off a bit too much and put thirty pounds back on. This is further complicated with a ski injury to my ankle last week. I hope to start back soon with my running and if I cut back on the booze I should be able to get back to a good weight again. I found that the best way to improve my time was to run the same route and listen to the pace in my runtastic app and try to beat it each day. I have stopped focusing on the time so much and now just run for fun.

DeidreJean

I also have a lot to lose and want to get back to running. I've never been a good runner, but I'm always proud of myself when I finished. My sister and I are going to run our first 5k together in November, so it's back to C25K for me. I will check out the runtastic app-

4legsRbetterthan2

We have lots of runners here. I am personally coming back after being off a while due to pregnancy. Working on getting back to running a 5k, and hopefully then to a 10k this summer.

If weight loss is your primary goal it may be better to stick to 5k or 10k distance for the time being. Some people find it really hard to eat at a deficit due to the rungries that kick in with longer distances. I am sure there are all sorts of 5k groups here if you want to try to join one.

I participate in this group and started a thread in there for runners and walker to log their miles if you are interested in joining us there:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/124070-2018-one-derland

Or there is this one on the main forums that stays super active (they start a new one every month):
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10638437/february-2018-running-challenge#latest

Lastly, I think these two links are extremely helpful and can help you get the most out of MFP:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

The first covers accurate logging and some of the tools in MFP to help you make things easier. The second discusses caloric needs and setting goals. These two posts completely changed my MFP experience and helped me be much more successful, so I hope they do the same for you.

Welcome to MFP!

Pwonkas

I used to be a runner and allowed a knee injury then surgery (on that knee) derail me. I have made excuses for me to do nothing. You can work towards that goal but if you don't make it don't beat yourself up. I used to constantly set faster goals and that is probably what ended me up in the operating room. I am starting again and am going to try and focus on running and not my time. It is hard because I used to be able to run a 5k in 27 mins. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. Perfectionistic attitudes keep us from trying because we don't want to fail. I have my Garmin charged and thanks to your post I an=m heading out in a bit for a run/walk. Good luck

Modittily

Hi there - I’m looking for running friends. I’m currently signed up and training for a half marathon and am overweight. I need people who understand what that’s like.