Really big/out of shape and runner?

CeejayGee

I guess I'm looking for a little inspiration here. Did anyone else start out at like 250+ and really out of shape and barely able to run half a block, but are now able to run a good distance? I'm just starting and it seems impossible to imagine I'd ever be able to run more than a mile - and even a mile seems like a dream.

MissingMinnesota

I started out last Feb at 242 and it was work for me to walk at 3.0 mph for a half hour. I now have 3 5ks under my belt and can run a 10 minute mile. It is all about slow process and pushing yourself but not to the point where you don't think you can do it.

purplespeckle

i'm only at 180 but i've been doing the treadmill for 7 days and it gets easier every day

galvestongal

I personally didn't run when I was bigger. BUT...I do run now and frequently see a guy out running who is at least 350-400 lbs. He is a big guy but he can cover as much distance as the other "in-shape" runners that are 1/4 his size. He is an inspiration to me!

purplespeckle

I started out last Feb at 242 and it was work for me to walk at 3.0 mph for a half hour. I now have 3 5ks under my belt and can run a 10 minute mile. It is all about slow process and pushing yourself but not to the point where you don't think you can do it.

that's great i'm doing 2.5-3 (it varies) walks on the treadmill for 30 minutes so your story gives me hope

classyleo77

I started at 250 this past summer and I can now run 10 minute miles for 3 miles. And if I slow down to 12 minute miles I can go for 5/6. Just keep at it and you WILL do it! When I first starting working out I couldn't even walk on the treadmill for more than 10 minutes. I started with the couch to 5k program, and repeated days that were hard for me.

caroline1851

I've been running for 27 years (though not in the last 7 months due to a peristent heel problem). I would recommend walking more at the beginning. Once you've dropped some weight it'll be a lot easier and less chance of injury when you start jogging. When you get to the point of starting jogging, you could start with W (walk) and J (Jog) in min. : W 10, J1, W3, J1, W3, J1, W 10. Then W 8, J1.5. W 3, J 1.5, W 3, J 1.5, W 10 and so on until you build up the minutes running with less minutes of rest in between. You'll be amazed how quickly you improve. Good luck!

charliex2202

hey there, I have just joined today and wanted to say that all of your stories are what spurs me on to acheive what i know is possible... so thank you for your inspiration.

edorice

I was 273, running 5K next month.

glittersoul

I'm 332 #'s and run on my treadmill, granted it is for only like 1/2 a min and then I walk again and then run/walk/run etc. I'm hoping this helps me improve my speed and stamina so I can go longer distances.

zowhat54

I'm a very/big/out of shape runner - 50 pounds over my old running weight.

At 280 I don't like the pounding running is taking on my knees - so I fast walk instead. When I drop 20 I'll try to get back to running - but only via the walk and jog method described by caroline1851 - it's what my father did many years ago recovering from a heart attack. Improvement comes fast is right!

I hope to get back to my old level which was M-F....5,2,10,2,5.....

Good luck to you!!!

Robin66

My top weight was 272 and I'm now 134. When I was really heavy I could barely get up my front steps, now I can run, hike, elliptical and pretty much whatever I want to do. So yes, you'll be able to run longer distance or whatever your heart desire's. Good luck to you, you can do this. Just remember one day at a time.

NotAllWhoWanderAreLost

I started out last Feb at 242 and it was work for me to walk at 3.0 mph for a half hour. I now have 3 5ks under my belt and can run a 10 minute mile. It is all about slow process and pushing yourself but not to the point where you don't think you can do it.

Yep, me too! I was 228 when i started (walking) ~ 3 mph for 30-40 mins and just did that like 2x a week until i got so i was walking 1+ hour at 4.0mph. When i did a walk/run 5k this past June, i finished in just under 43 minutes and was WHIPPED afterwards. I set my goal on walking a half marathon this fall and after i finished that i floundered, goal-less for a week or two. Then i decided to give the C25K program an honest try because i WANTED to be a runner, but i was afraid with my bad knees that it would never happen for me. I worked thru the weeks, skipping around a bit because i surprised myself by being in better shape than "couch" lol, and I have since run 3 5ks, the last one i was able to run the whole time!! 33:20!! ..... Believe you can do it and keep working towards that goal and you know what, you WILL get there!

glittersoul

Here is the blog of a guy that was really big and started running .. http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/beginning

Tuckersn

The knees pay the price! And once hurt, it slows the whole process WAY down. Speaking from experience (tendonitis). Patience with the whole thing. I loved couch to 5K, coming back into jogging this year!