C25K How much did you weigh?

cessnaholly

Just do it. I am now 205 with lots of complications on week 7 of the program. I just accidentally ran a 6 mile bout. The only fat related issue is my knees.

crazyellybean

I was 290lbs the first time I started...

I'm now 252 and run often.. Running clears my head... and it's conditioned my heart quite a bit... just a month ago I was burning 500 calories during my run, and a now I'm burning 250-270 calories..

DaveC29

243 Pounds and OUT of SHAPE!! Running 30 Seconds kicked my butt!! But I was motivated and that is all you need!!

sherrirb

Hubby was over 350 and I was over 260 when we started back in January. If you can run on a treadmill it is easier on the knees than on pavement.

overit75

I am starting week 3 tomorrow and I am quite a bit above 250. I run slow but am hoping as the weight comes off and my body gets stronger, my speed will pick up.

princeza9

I was over 230 when I first started. It's been a slow road, but I did Week 9 Day 1 today, so it's possible. Like others have said- SHOES!!! I did the first 3 weeks in my normal sneakers and my shins were hurting bad! Then I got my running shoes- no problems.

Just take it at your own pace and listen to your body. You can repeat days/weeks if you feel its necessary too. I understand about wanting to wait, but my 1 regret about the program is that I didn't start it sooner. I have ankle issues (2 bad sprains including 1 that just never quite healed right), and was leery about it. But I just decided to give it a go and see what happens. So glad I did!

courtneymal17

I started at just under 270 and now weigh 232 and am on week 9/able to run for 50ish mins (how long it takes me to run a 5k). and I'll back up what others are saying..GET FITTED FOR SHOES. Go to a Running store (not like D*cks or sports authority, but a specialty running store!) and get fitted. I started week one without being fitted and it was AWFUL...I spent the whole first week walking (limping) around with ice packs wrapped around my knees. I got fitted that weekend & the next week almost ALL of the pain went away.

HauteT

I was just out of my 170's. I am 42 and have not had knee or any other issues. I now run 2 -3 5Ks a week with no problems. Just listen to your body and rest when it tells you too! I'm hoping to be in the 140's at my weigh in next month!

BAtobe

Ladies, I HIGHLY recommend seeking a proper fitting of shoes. Any problem with supponation, or pronation can throw your knees and hips out of whack. Also remember that you are using muscles that haven't been stressed in a while and that will make your joints hurt until they are strong enough to keep them aligned correctly. Add some strength training, it will help with the pain. I've been a runner since I was 12, off and on due to injury, babies, etc....my knees where killing me when first starting back and then I sought out proper footwear for my issues, and added strength training. What a difference it makes! FYI I'm 154 now at 5'3". FYI when seeking a proper fitting, don't go to the mall or a random sports store, they typically are hired help that do not know the difference between pronation/supponation etc. Find a specialty footwear store that specializes in sports shoes, I warn you, a good fitting pair of running shoes will cost you roughly $120, but I swear it's worth it. You have the rest of your life to stand and walk on your feet and knees, YOU are worth it. Your feet are like protecting your head when biking!

This! I didn't hear this advice and Im at a stand still at barely week 3 while I heal up and get new shoes. Darn I wish someone had told me not to pound the pavement in old tennis shoes. Knees still killing me, but thankfully my hip pain is done. Im about 177 now but when I FIRST ran (not c25k, just on my own pace) up to 30 minutes, I was about 210 and it wasn't as bad as it is now being smaller but with shoes not right for my feet.

DaddyofMEA

340 lbs for me, I'm at 288 now. I started walking at 2 miles an hour and could only last 30 minutes. I kept at it and kept pushing myself. Now I can comfortably push myself and do 3.2-3.5 miles an hour and have completed my first 5k in just under an hour! I'm still on week one of the C25k program because I cannot complete the running yet, I'm still trying 3 days a week and the other 3 days I just walk on a tread mill. I love the fact that I feel my muscles getting sore, it means I'm doing something. Each week I do something differnt from walking at a 10 incline for 10 minutes to jogging at a 5 mph rate for a minute at a time. I figure by the end of the year I'll be running a 5k in under 30 minutes!

The point is, keep moving! Find something that motivates you and keeps you moving! No matter how slow you go you're still lapping everyone on the couch!!

greeneyes191

I started at 137.5. I use the C25K program that someone translated for a treadmill. I walk/run at 3 miles per hour every day. I'm in my 8th week and running 35 minutes and am down to 123.5 - WOOHOO.
You don't have to full-out run you can do a light jog. The program even tells you if you can slow down that you are probably running too fast anyway.

Kcham817

Ladies, I HIGHLY recommend seeking a proper fitting of shoes. Any problem with supponation, or pronation can throw your knees and hips out of whack. Also remember that you are using muscles that haven't been stressed in a while and that will make your joints hurt until they are strong enough to keep them aligned correctly. Add some strength training, it will help with the pain. I've been a runner since I was 12, off and on due to injury, babies, etc....my knees where killing me when first starting back and then I sought out proper footwear for my issues, and added strength training. What a difference it makes! FYI I'm 154 now at 5'3". FYI when seeking a proper fitting, don't go to the mall or a random sports store, they typically are hired help that do not know the difference between pronation/supponation etc. Find a specialty footwear store that specializes in sports shoes, I warn you, a good fitting pair of running shoes will cost you roughly $120, but I swear it's worth it. You have the rest of your life to stand and walk on your feet and knees, YOU are worth it. Your feet are like protecting your head when biking!

I completely agree with this. My feet overpronates so I had to seek out footwear that will stabilize them as I pound the pavement. This is my 2nd time doing C25K (stopped at week 6 last time), I will be running my first 5K June 24, 2012 and so looking forward to it.

crutter98

I started a 4 weeks to 1 mile training plan before I started my 8 weeks to 5k and so far it has helped me.

spotteddrafter

Not just the shoes!!! You need to do the proper stretches before and after! Active.com and coolrunning.com have a TON of great tips on injury prevention - and stretching.

I was 248# when I started - am half way through week 2 now and am at 242#. Don't concentrate on how far you go, concentrate on breathing and good form....speed/distance will come naturally! Five days into the program and I'm already covering way more ground than I did on Day 1, and my speed has improved already by a minute a mile.

Good luck and listen to your body!!!

stephyy4632

I did C25K last fall and loved it I was around 190ish I still run now and I`m about 170now ( I haven`t wieghed in since early March so more than likely alittle lighter than that 170 now)

wombat94

I started C25K in January and I weighed 307 at the time.

I'm in the middle of week 4 of B210K (13 weeks into running). I've completed to 5K races, and my long run on Saturday was 6 miles!

I have my first 10K race coming up in another month or so and I am signed up for two Half Marathons.

I'm down to 271 as of this morning.

Running has changed my life (along with MFP).

Here's the thing... I NEVER thought I could run because of my weight, knee problems and heel spurs that give me plantar fasciitis.

For me the key was "barefoot" or minimalist running. Instead of the highly cushioned, very supportive running shoes that most people wear, I wear minimalist shoes that offer almost no support and very little cushioning. They make you run with a form that causes you to land on the mid-foot or balls of the feet instead of the heel. For me that was the key.

I wear either Vibram FiveFingers or New Balance Minimus Zeros.

This is not for everybody, but the best time to give it a try is if you are not a runner as you are supposed to slowly transition to this type of running to build up the muscle and tendon strength in your feet - that's what takes the shock instead of your heels or joints.

Ted

JaxCanRun

I'm a graduate and I was 245 when I started. Go slow. Focus on breathing. 1 breath in for every 2 steps and 1 breath out for 2 steps. Find a good pair of supportive running shoes. and Google Chi Running. Believe it or not, there is a "technique" for running. I found that if I followed their guidelines, I had no pain my knees and shins.

Good luck and you can do it!

BettyBlueEyes

I also got a good pair of trainers - as a physio student I'm aware that I supinate and got the correct trainers, £45 (sale price), made a huge difference but as I already had a knee problem they were never going to fix it. Just be aware of what you can take, or get some physio advice if you're unsure.