Couch to 5K

els312

I just started this program yesterday and was wondering if anyone else has done it and what kind of fitness you do on other days? I'm not sure if I will ever become a runner but I like the idea of starting slow.

PaytraB

You started. That's the hardest part. Congratulations!

Slow is good. If you find yourself huffing, puffing and panting during the run sessions, slow down your speed. Everyone says they are already going slow but you can go slower and slower will get you through your training session.

If you want active support and encouragement and answers to any questions, join us here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums .

Keep posting and letting us know how you do. Keep running.

bigblondewolf

I'm doing C25K as well, was never a runner before (quite frankly I hated it). Now I love it and crave the runs when I miss them.

Go slow is right though! And not just in your pace while jogging. Don't be afraid to repeat a week once if you barely got through it the first time. I repeated a few times, and although it's taking me a lot longer than the program says, I feel great and am able to run much better than I ever have before.

Congrats and keep at it!

Edited to add: I do the C25K program Mon, Wed, Fri and list weights on Tues, Thurs, Sat (Sun is a day off from everything). I've found this to be pretty effective so far

els312

Thanks I was thinking that strength training on other days would be a good idea, do you have a gym membership? I dont so I will have to look for something I can do at home.

Rov628

For strength training there are plenty of youtube videos that you can use to exercise at home. My favorite is Fitness blender, which has hundreds of videos so you'll never be bored: http://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender

els312

Thanks so much!!

bigblondewolf

I do have a gym membership now because I didn't have enough equipment at home to keep me progressing with the weights. However I started just working out at home doing the Stronglifts 5x5 program (but I modified it to use dumbbells instead of a barbell because at the time I was working at a pretty light weight).

That being said, there are a ton of excellent body resistance workouts to be found online that work all of your muscles without the need to incorporate free weights yet.

SueInAz

Thanks I was thinking that strength training on other days would be a good idea, do you have a gym membership? I dont so I will have to look for something I can do at home.

There are definitely lots of strength exercises you can do using your own body weight. Youtube is a great, and free, resource. There are also lots on different websites, just do a Google search. Good cardio workouts for the days between would be walking, biking, swimming or low impact aerobics or you could even do yoga.

I personally run about 3.5 miles (race season won't start here for several months) 3 or 4 days each week in the morning while it's still "cool" (M,W,F & Sun) and go to the gym to lift weights on Tue and Thur. Saturday is a rest day.