Obese and running for weight loss

I also enjoy running and have done the Couch to 5K program a couple of times. Previously, I didn't adjust my food intake and didn't really lose weight. This time around, I'm running and cutting back the calories I eat and it's working for me. I've lost 14 pounds so far and I continue building my running time/distance. I highly recommend Couch to 5K to build up your running stamina.

I started couch to 5k at 250 pounds... I never quite finished it I'm still stuck around week 5 but you don't HAVE to follow the week guide if you don't want just follow your body queues. I'm now 216 pounds, but I also do Jillian Michaels 30 day shred on the days I don't run.

I am doing this now. I am 150 pounds overweight and have recently taken up jogging. I am hoping to see some nice losses with it. I just signed up for a 5k in March, and I plan on jogging as much of it as possible. Just knowing that I can do it is a huge confidence booster. If I can do it, you can do it.

I have back problems and when I started last year my left knee was starting to give me trouble. So what I did when I got bored of walking is run, sometimes just a few steps, until it hurt (or until my fat self was gasping like I was gonna die!) and then walk again. So if nothing else maybe you could alternate walking and jogging? Heck I still alternate walking and jogging most days. It's just that I can run 20 minutes or more instead of 20 seconds before I start walking again.

I don't know how much running helped me lose weight – I am sure it did in combination with my other workouts. But, for me, my running success was that I never believed I could do it. I would make jokes like "I only run for the ice cream truck" when I was heavier and self-conscious about it. Every year, I would sit on my front porch and watch the city's biggest 10k pass by and tell myself "someday I am going to do that." The single happiest moment of my weight loss journey was the day I ran across the finish line of that race. This year will be my third time running it. For me, running was how I learned to stop telling myself I couldn't do things and started believing I could accomplish anything.

WOW! omg this actually made eyes watery.. :sad: This is very inspiring! I also get made fun of a lot,. And I recently started jogging. I understand exactly how you feel. Jogging actually makes me feel amazing inside and out. and I feel it boosts up my self esteem and my confidence. I stopped caring if others are looking at me! I want to reach the running stage. For now I will stick with Jogging until I boost up my stamina! Thank you for making my night!

sw: 242
cw:219

hi there well you will love running but first see your doctor to make sure you are ok to do it then like me and others have done do the couch to 5k program its great and build you up to it so have fun and enjoy and you could look at the parkrun website they have 5k runs every saturday and might be one near you

Walking/Running helped me lose 60lbs about 6 years ago. I started off with a treadmill set on 1% incline and walking to one show/movie per night (about half an hour to 1 hr). Every once in awhile I'd get into a really good movie and actually walk the whole 2 hours. Then I started running.

I switched to walking and other things and over time my weight crept back up a little (20lbs). I'm currently doing running and CrossFit, and the combination has really helped.

Hope you find something that works for you!

Just tossing my advice out for what it's worth.

I tried the couch to 5k program, and I was about 100 lbs away from where I needed to be. I could make it through, shin splints and all, during the "warm up" phases (the shorter jog periods toward the start of the program). But eventually it took a toll on my knees. Thankfully, no ligament or cartilage damage, but my kneecap got knocked a bit off its track and my knee squeaked like a rusty hinge. Thankfully it is something that is fixable with a little exercise, but it was still kind of a scary prospect, trying to lose weight and having a sore knee.

What's worked really well for my is the elliptical runner. It gets your whole body worked out and burns a great amount of calories. The large burn you get on here will help your weight loss start, and minimize knee impact. And if you push yourself, you'll get your cardio system to be healthier too. This is all great prep for running. I plan on trying the Cto5k once I lose more (currently 310, want to try this when I get around 250 or so).

But the best thing to do is listen to your body. Try it out, and see if you feel "good" sore or "bad, injured" sore. Make sure to stretch before and after, and cool down with a walk rather than sitting down and stopping right away. And if it works, you have my best wishes in succeeding! (well, you have those either way)

I'm still 150lb from my goal weight, but I jog occasionally. I used to do it more but stopped the reason is because 20lb heavier (at about 330lb) I got really into jogging intervals (15 sec, then 30 with a 1-2 minute break and another interval for about 30-45 min 3x a week) but it started to hurt my knees and ankles even though I lost those 20ish lb in a month doing it. I stopped jogging because I got scared I was going to injure myself badly. Now (20lb lighter as i said) I still jog but not for long (maybe 30 seconds) and not often (about 3x in a 30 minute walk) and maybe twice a week. I've been doing this for about 3-4 weeks now and haven't had any knee/ankle problems this time. As it helps me lose weight I'll probably try to add more. My point being, TRUST YOUR BODY! If anything starts to hurt, cut back a little until it's comfortable. Don't push yourself into an injury.

I cannot run* due to a torn meniscus in my right knee. However I started walking probably at around 330 to 340 and never looked back. I walked a 5K on January 1 and have another one scheduled in April. I also wanted to say that if you try C25K and it isn't for you, don't be discouraged. When I could run and tried it before, I hated it. I much prefer to do my own thing and once I get my knee fixed (which will hopefully be soon) I'll start my own plan for running again.


*Since I've lost weight I've noticed that I can run for up to a minute at a time with no pain but I won't run anymore than that because I don't want to risk further injury. In the beginning, though, I really couldn't run at all.

Good luck to you!

I have been hearing a lot about C25K. It sounds like ''fun'' but the fact that I'm morbidly obese puts me off of doing it right now. I'll continue to think about it in the future though, for when I'm more comfortable to jog/run in public.

I am most likely more morbidly obese than you and given a functioning knee I would run like the (very slow) wind. Don't talk yourself out of something you might love.

I have lost about 16 pounds with Running.First I started with Walking with about 167 pounds and Jogging and then Running.It has taken me around 1 and a half months to run consistently for about 30 mins.I run every alternate day.I am longing for more.Please start it slow and its a great exercise.You are doing great.Keeping track of food is also very important.All the best!

I was never any good at running at school. I was always the one at the back of the cross country race struggling with my breathing and a stitch in my side. I started running in Summer 2011 after reading the forums here on MFP. I started Couch to 5k and have not looked back since. It was very hard at first and I had to have two tries at completing the program but it is so worth it! I ran my first 10k last summer and it was one of the biggest achievements of my life. This may sound over the top but I never thought i would do something like that and nobody can take that medal away from me! And running makes me feel great! I have lost over 40lbs now and am still working on my running. It isn't always easy to keep running regularly but I always come back to it and I think it is something I will do for the rest of my life

Hi

Started running at 276lb in Mid Jan 2010

Completed my first 10K 09/04/2010 in 1:04:49 mapped by run keeper. Completed my last June 2010 57:04 (This was coupled with a Weight Watchers diet, which up to May 2010 I had shed 75lb starting Jan 2010.) before the Knee problems hit, had to stop running following doctors advice 18 months later put 64lb back. Started again Jan as I have signed up for a coast to coast cycle challenge in July, change of exercise but results are coming and fitness has improved loads

Only advice would be make sure you invest in decent running shoes, if you detect problems with you knees seek medical advice. Good Luck