Magic Number for Running?

couch to 5K! Go!

I have been walking forever and my body just feels like it wants to jog now...it's really weird because I don't jog unless something is chasing me (which is never lol)!! The C25K is going to be my New Year's thing. I want to run a 5k in 2013!!!

if you can do the skipping and the butt kicks on 30ds then you could probably start a program, as other posters have suggested,which has little jogs split with brisk walking. The b))bs thing... well gravity is a sod for us big girls but get a great bra (some people wear two) and go for it. How have you coped with the "bounce" on your other workouts...same thing!

Well my scale doesn't move often (currently resting at 209) but my body has changed and I have started jogging a bit in the past couple of weeks and I can do it multiple days in a row without getting injured as in the past. I have osteoarthritis and jogging about 6-9 months ago would taken me down for 2 weeks, even the 30 day shred would too.

Until my body got better I focused on other exercises that didn't involve bouncing. Lifting weights, slow aerobics, belly dancing, dance cardio, etc. You don't have to just do walking. Playing outside is even good because it's activity.

As for bras, when I started I was wearing a K cup (so sad face) and I saw on here women saying Moving Comfort brand was good. I got the Fiona style in the largest band and cup size they make (it doesn't go up to K cups lol) off amazon.com and used that until I got back into normal sizes. It held them down with little movement. It didn't dig, roll up, or ride up.

You're ready whenever you're ready to get up and get going. Start the C25K program and see how you make out. Get fitted at a running store for good shoes, get an industrial strength sports bra or two, download the app and head off.

This (also, a technical shirt or two is great - there's such a difference with running gear vs. cotton clothes!). You'll start out doing jogging/walking intervals, and if you find you're pushing yourself too hard and your knees are hurting, scale back. As you build more muscle support for your knees you'll be able to do more, but you don't want to damage yourself meantime!

I honestly do not think there is a magic number. I think it is whenever you are comfortable enough to do it. I started out at 271 and even though I would run around with my kids running or jogging on the treadmill or street was different. I really didnt start running/jogging til I was 240 and I just made sure I wore baggy shirts and a nice fitting sportsbra to keep the girls from bouncing.

Good advice here re: starting with intervals & even trying some flavor of C25k.

Above all, I'd say GO SLOW. Don't worry about speed, just find the point at which you can be either walking really quickly or jogging really easily. For me, on a treadmill, that was about 3.8 MPH. There's pretty much bound to be a point at which a really brisk walk will feel a bit easier when you maintain that speed but shift into a jog.

With that said, if you're like me & haven't been running except when crossing a city street & dodging oncoming traffic, your ability to maintain that easy jog is going to be a bit underwhelming and the very act of running is going to feel W.R.O.N.G.

Don't panic. It'll improve. ;-)

I did C25k for a while. I loved the interval aspect. It really helps with the boredom factor if your next "mini goal" is just a few minutes away. But I didn't find the intervals working very well for me, and I think it was week four that I just found stupid hard. So, in the end, I started using my own intervals. Every week I'd increase the run time by a minute or so, or reduce the walking interval by a minute or so. I ran my first (treadmill) 5k this weekend, but I still use intervals most of the time even if it's just switching from an easy jog to a brief run... It just makes time pass more quickly.

If you decide to give it a go, then step #1 = go get some good running shoes at a good running store. I started out with the wrong shoes, which I pretty much knew but didn't worry too much about it since I wasn't running much & I mostly run on a treadmill (much more forgiving on my bad knee). Switching to the right shoe made a world of difference & that little bit of hip & knee pain I'd been building went away pretty much overnight.

The magic number for running is whatever you want it to be. I started running around 220 lbs. I use the couch to 5k app. Day one of week 1 is 60 seconds of running followed by 90 seconds of walking repeated 8x. I thought I was gonna die. Day 2 of week 1 is a little more. Again thought I was gonna die. I was soooo sore. So instead of 1 day off I took 2 or 3 days off between and then went on to the next step. I've repeated steps because I was sure if I took just one more step I was gonna die. Well, 3 months later I'm not dead. I just finished running 25 minutes without stopping and ran 2.14miles/3.5 km!! Woohoo to me!! I don't run fast. Maybe an 11 minute mile, but I don't stop and you know what? It just isn't that hard. I'm not gonna die. That doesn't mean it's easier. But today was easier than the last time, and next time will be easier yet. And I'm looking forward to running 5k.

Why am I doing this? Not because I loved running. I thought I hated it. Turns out, I don't hate it so much. It's another challenge. A while back I heard myself say I can't run. WHAT? Wanna bet?

Anyhow, lot's of good advice above. Just try it! And good luck!

If you do decide to try running, aim to jog on something other than straight asphalt. This can damage your joints. If there are dirt paths around where you live you might try those. Tracks are also good too, as they provide less resistance than concrete (I like the springy feeling). And start SLOW! The more you push yourself at first, the chances are you won't like it. Just try to the end of the block at first. If that goes well the first day, maybe add a half block or block on the next. Have patience, you aren't going to run marathons next week Having a solid workout routine in spite of running helps as well, helps spice things up!

This. I find trail running much easier on my joints, and a lot more engaging.

I started on C25K. It was HARD at first. I seriously questioned whether I would ever be able to run. But, like magic, it gets better. You will feel like you are going to croak after the first 45 seconds. That's normal (just make sure your heart rate is in a good space). After the first few weeks you may find that you actually look forward to your run days. It's a love-hate thing. Running is as much (if not more) brain as body. I do a lot of self talking.

For a bra, I would go to a lingerie store (if you have one) that carries big girl sizes. Most of the nice ones do. I'm not talking Victoria's Secret. Get fitted. You will pay through the nose for it (mine was close to $70), but it will be worth every penny. I initially told myself that I would only wear mine during running days, but I end up washing it every day just because I can't stand the thought of wearing a different one. Good ones for women our size should not only have firm cups, but also have breathability and comfy straps. I know some women double up, but I would roast. I went with the Anita bra, I love it a lot. In addition to having all of the qualities that I listed, it keeps the girls where they are supposed to be without crushing them. I do like to breathe as I work out.

Good shoes, as everyone has mentioned. I like Asics, but everyone's feet are a bit different.

For your joints (especially knees), you need to cross train. Cycling, even stationary bikes, build up very specific muscles that help keep your knees stable and supported as you run. I feel it when I don't use my stationary bike. It's boring, so I always think that I can get away with not using it, but nope - pretty soon my knee starts hurting when I run. Squats are also great for cross training, weighted if you can.

Have patience with yourself, it will get easier.