Can you be too heavy to Jog?

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  • Loozin
    Loozin Posts: 91
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    I'm 305 and did my first 5k this morning. Look at the New Balance Good Form Running website to learn how to run without injury.

    Thanks running form was another question.
  • jimibrown13
    jimibrown13 Posts: 1
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    I would say "Beware". What you do today will affect you tomorrow, years down the road, even if you feel find in the moment. One extra lb. of weight puts 4-8 lbs of stress on your knees. So multiply your weight by a minimum of 4 or 5, and thats the load your knees are taking, just walking! Now, include the extra pounding by jogging, and running and that ups the ante quite significantly. Do you want to put that on your knees? You may achieve quicker gains in the present, but may suffer significant losses in the future with osteoarthritis.

    I gained 40 lbs within 6 months and it was a shock to my body, and I still have many issues, especially the knees and feet. I went from 133 to 152 and then in a matter of months jumped to 192. I was fortunate because though I was experiencing some knee problems and dealing with a torn meniscus, x-rays showed no arthritis because I never ran on pavement and exercised all my life so had good muscle tone around my knees. I am 57 years old. But still the weight has caused havoc on my system.

    However, I went to the sports doctor and he said every person is different; some can handle more stress and wear on their joints than others. So as others are suggesting, at the very least listen to your body. Then check out your parents constitution, are they predisposed to arthritis? If you can clear yourself from these concerns and still be gentle on your body, go for it! I know people that got into running and it changed their entire mindset. Good luck to you!
  • Loozin
    Loozin Posts: 91
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    Make sure you're fitted with proper running shoes from a running store, and take it easy and listen to your body. When you're jogging, you should be able to talk. I ran my first half marathon at 230 pounds - and I'm 5'4". I'm now down into the 150s and running is my favorite exercise. It wasn't for a long time - I just kept with it.

    When I first started running I did C25k as well, and there were MANY weeks where I wasn't ready to move on, so I repeated weeks. You should repeat weeks until you feel comfortable with them, or just short of comfortable. If you start to have bad aches and pains, then it would be time to see a doctor or take extra rest days.

    Thanks,

    I got a pair of Asics 2170's and they are AMAZING !!!
    (other brands are available too - not sure if I'm allowed to mention names on here???)

    I fully intend to repeat weeks as necessary as you say, thank you for posting that especially.
  • Loozin
    Loozin Posts: 91
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    No one can really give you adequate advice since we're not you. It really depends on what you're comfortable with. You know your body the best.

    Have your knees been giving you problems? Do you have prior injuries? Have you researched proper form in order to run without injuries? Has your doctor taken scans of your knees?

    If you're going to continue the program, and the first and second week were just "okay", then I'd suggest to pay a visit to your doc, get some scans going to make sure everything is okay and then see if they recommend it. If not, the elliptical is a good alternative, like others have mentioned. Good luck! And don't give up! :smile:

    I think I will do, thanks.
  • littlepinkhearts
    littlepinkhearts Posts: 1,055 Member
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    I would like to suggest calf raises too. They helped me better balance my weight while on my toes therefore when I started jogging http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/standing-dumbbell-calf-raise
  • cwelch2677
    cwelch2677 Posts: 69 Member
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    When I started to run I was exactly 268lbs. I've been doing it for 3 years and I'm fine. I'm not very fast, but I'm fine :)
  • bariatricbadass
    bariatricbadass Posts: 6 Member
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    I did couch to 5k when I weighed 305. It is possible :)
  • ChaseAlder
    ChaseAlder Posts: 804 Member
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    It can definitely be done. That being said, when I started running again after I had my second child, I felt like my whole body was put together wrong... my hips were loose and didn't move the same way they used to, my knees and ankles felt weak, and most of all the fat on my body was just jumping and jiggling so much that it was actually painful. I only ran 0.6 miles before I quit and I started walking instead. I shed about 10 pounds before I started jogging again and by then, my joints felt stronger and I wasn't jiggling as much.

    So yeah, you could do it, but for me it was just too uncomfortable. I needed to lose a few pounds first.
  • nicholettebell
    nicholettebell Posts: 414
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    I was about 250 when I started jogging. I completed my first 5k last April at 169 and I injured my knee. Go figure. :sad:
  • MileyClimb
    MileyClimb Posts: 414 Member
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    I weighed 220 pounds and did the couch potato to a 5 k I just took it slow and built up to it. actually the speed walking I lost more weight than those who ran. scored a better time too.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    depends on your joints, especially your ankles and knees. you can always try and see and if you do have any issues, try moving the program to the pool until you lose a bit more weight and you wont get joint issues. there's no sense in needlessly screwing up your knees and ankles
  • Loozin
    Loozin Posts: 91
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    Thanks foe EVERYBODY'S replies.

    Please feel free to Add me, if I haven't added you already....MFP keeps saying I can't add any friends in 10 minutes.
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
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    Nope. i started running when I was over 300lbs.

    I was 400+ when I started. I was stubborn. lol. pace yourself, take walking breaks as needed, get good no scratch that, get GREAT running shoes. get fitted at a running store. listen to your body.
  • oh_mg
    oh_mg Posts: 35 Member
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    I started C25K at 295 pounds, but I had also already lost 50 pounds at that point. I waited until I felt ready, and then took it slow - didn't want to push too hard and risk injury. It doesn't so much matter your current weight as your level of activity - you can be "average" weight and still struggle with running if you're entirely new to working out. If you're bigger but very active, it should be fairly do-able. If you're very concerned, ask a doctor or running specialist at a local running store!
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
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    Anyone can run. I started at 276. Here is what I recommend.

    - Do some strength training before you start. Try lunges, squats and leg lifts. (Toss in a few push-up and jumping jacks and you have a nice little workout!) If you doe these for 4 weeks.
    - Get GREAT RUNNING SHOES!
    - Walk a 5K before you run it. If you can't run walk 3 miles, I suggest waiting until you can.
    - Be sure to do the warm ups, and some stretching.
    -Stop if you have any pain other than muscles soreness! This would include shins, arches, or knees.
    - You can always repeat weeks if needed.
    -Be sure to lose the weight by following MFP. If you are serious, I bet you can lose 4-6 pounds a month. A lot folks on here for a year lose 50-100 lbs!

    Every one is different, but above all, avoid injuries!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • LillysGranny
    LillysGranny Posts: 431
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    I do think that sometimes extra weight can put a lot of strain on your knees, hips, ankles if you try to do too much impact. Also, I often have had people tell me how much better their bad knees feel when they're at the right weight. But, if you've done the first two weeks and feel good and you're enjoying it, then keep at it. Just listen to your body and stay on a week for two to three weeks if necessary to let your body adjust. The respondent who suggested running in the pool seems to have a good idea, too!
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
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    When I was 218, it was painful to jog, but there are people who jog regularly who weight more than that. Give it a try for a month. See how you do, and if you're having pain, then find something else to do until you can jog. Swimming or jogging in the pool are very good cardio exercises and low impact. Ellipticals are good also.
  • janf15
    janf15 Posts: 242 Member
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    I think it is not a question of can you be to heavy to run as much as it is should you run when you are 'that heavy'.

    I have several friends who are running weighing in at 250 lbs and continue to do so. But the question is should they? I would say no!!! The reason for saying you should not run weighing " that much" it is the damage you do to their knee and hip joints as well as the stress you put on their ligaments - not to forget - the injuries you may cause. You may not feel the damage now, but down the road as you age - you may regret you started running.

    Clearly the elliptical trainer is a great tool for people who are looking for the alternative to running. It is a non-impact training and give you just as good of a cardio. I realize the limitation is that you are 'confined' to the gym or where ever the elliptical trainer is located.

    Now if you start on the elliptical - and when you get down to ... I think most people say 220 lbs (although that is an individual thing)- then you can liberate yourself from the indoor elliptical to the outdoor running or a treadmill .. what ever you are more comfortable with.

    You may want to talk with your health care provider to see what he/she says.

    Make sure you 1. invest in a pair of good running shoes (get fitted) 2. work on your core strength - it really helps your running.
  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
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    It depends on what your goals are. If you goals are to run the whole thing, it may be a bit rough of your body. If you goal is to run some of it and increase your distance/speed etc than go for it.

    Look into Jeffgalloway.com for a different run/walk/run program that is more suited to your needs.
    I started running at 276 pounds... 13 half marathons later I am trying to complete my first full this fall.
    Jeff's program has allowed me to continue to run through my back injury ... now I run 15 seconds and walk 45 seconds ... I am capable of running longer than 15 seconds...but longer time continuous running does put more stress on your joints and add the walk breaks with the quick turnover helps me do better.

    Ironically ... I have faster time running 15 seconds and walk 45 ... then I did when I was run 4 minutes and walk 1 minute!
    Feel free to friend me if you would like. I love running! Just finished a 15 miler this morning!
  • reluctanthippie
    reluctanthippie Posts: 3 Member
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    Simple answer - Run. Run fast, run slow, run short, run long. Just run. Do get yourself checked out by a doctor but as long as she/he clears you for exercise go and run.

    I just took up running last year. I could barely run 100 yards when I started and now a bad day of running is when I can only manage 5k. (3.1 miles)

    I'd also suggest adding dailymile.com for tracking your mileage, if you aren't already using it. Great community there, too!

    C25K is an awesome program, BTW!

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