Hi,
My name is Laura. I'm 49, live in Seattle, and have two boys, age 10 and 7.I am vegan and recently found out I'm gluten intolerant, so also follow a GF diet.

Five years ago, my 3rd triathlon season, I ran 6 tris (5 sprint and 1 olympic distance) and a hilly half marathon. I'd lost 50# and was 25# from goal. A month after the half marathon, my husband was laid off for the 2nd time and I had to return to work full-time (I'd been working 10-20 hours-a-week prior and was a SAHM). I'm a stress eater and really didn't do myself any favors for the past 5 years, which included a 3rd layoff for my husband, learning to help our 2 kids with ADHD and dyslexia, a hysterectomy, and buying our own business. In other words, LIFE! I gave up all of me to take care of everybody else and support our family, keeping my nose to the grindstone and really forgetting about how to have fun and what brought me joy. I just worked and ate.

Things are finally starting to settle down, business ownership isn't as scary, and I'm working my way back to better health and healthier coping skills. My exercise commitment has seen fits and starts, but I've signed up for a half marathon in October (a flat one this time!) and am in the second week of Jeff Galloway's coach-to-half marathon training program. When I was running regularly, I absolutely loved it, especially middle distances like 8-10 miles. I'm certainly NOT loving it at the moment but looking forward to that feeling again as I improve.

My MFP runner friends have been a real inspiration to me, and I'm grateful for it.

Nice to meet you,
Laura

Hi. I'm Deb a SAHM of 3, ages 18, 8, and 6. I have been overweight most of my life. I've always admired runners and when I read about C25K, I knew that was the program for me. I am currently on week 6 of C25K and I am amazed that I have made it this far with completing each day as designed and not having to repeat any days. I've done most of it at the local track with a 2 days inside due to weather. I have had problems with my feet since I was 16 years old and problems with my knees since college. About 5 years ago, I gave in and had surgery on my left knee. My knees were hurting the first few weeks but I was also running the steps at the stadium after I finished my C25K workout and doing high impact 30 DS on my off days so I gave up those 2 other activities and have been concentrating on the C25K and do various other workouts usually 2 other days a week. I have just started doing the Bob Harper video on kettlebells so that is going to be my off day workouts.

My oldest participated in cross country and track his first three years of high school. He just graduated high school and will be going into the USMC in August. My middle child, my daughter, has not yet learned to run. She has a rare genetic syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). PWS is the most common known genetic cause of life-threatening obesity in children. PWS has a quadruple whammy (as I call it) in that it typically causes low muscle tone, short stature if not treated with growth hormone, and a chronic feeling of hunger that, coupled with a metabolism that utilizes drastically fewer calories than normal, can lead to excessive eating and life-threatening obesity. Developmental delays tend to go along with PWS. My youngest (another boy) has ADHD. Life at our house is always exciting and very stressful and I have always turned to food when I am stressed. That certainly is not a good role model for my daughter who has been on calorie restrictions since she was 4 months old.

I want to do a race but don't want to do it alone and have not found anyone who wants to join me. Maybe I'll get up the courage to go solo. We tend to have real high humidity in the summer so I'm not sure if the summer is the best time for me to do my first race. We'll see how it goes.

Nice to meet you all!

Oops! I guess that I should have included that I am 46 years old!

Hello, I'm 52 -- 53 tomorrow, ugh!. I used to run between college and about age 40, but never very seriously -- probably never more than a mile or two at a time. I actually like walking much better. For the past 12 or so years I've gotten very sedentary -- I walk the dogs and that's about it, except for occasional things here and there. Since I've gotten on MFP around a couple of weeks ago, I've come to realize that if I want to meet my weight goal, and more importantly, MAINTAIN it, I'm going to need to start exercising regularly. It needs to become a habit -- a lifestyle change. Since starting MFP I've done some sort of exercise every day -- either walking briskly (in addition to strolling with the dogs) or Pilates class. As I've started to feel more fit, the idea of getting back into running, and even getting into it more seriously, became a real possibility. It burns so many more calories than walking, and gives you more of a cardio workout. I also remember that sometimes in the past I did like it. So I started the c25k program on Tuesday, and did Day 2 yesterday (Friday). I'm excited about having the goal of running a 5k. I'm not so concerned about speed -- I don't see myself winning races -- but if I could even just enter and FINISH a 5k I'd be happy. We'll see! I've never really LIKED exercise much other than walking, but I'm definitely feeling more fit lately, so hopefully I'll like the RESULTS enough to keep it up.

If anyone here is looking for more MFP "friends" feel free to add me -- hopefully we can keep one another motivated!

Welcome to the group Lilylight and Happy Birthday tomorrow! Don't be bummed about birthday's. They are a good thing.

I'm glad you have started to get back into exercising. I agree with you. I used to walk, but running does burn so many more calories. I'm sure I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for running. If you just take it slow and easy, you'll be able to do a 5K in no time! I have to walk part of the races I do and am not ashamed of that. Most people do. Just getting out there and doing it makes you a winner! (The key to winning/placing in your age group is to find a race without many people. At least that has worked for me. LOL)

Good luck and again, welcome to the group.....and welcome as my friend too!

Thanks, Quilter!

Hi, forgot to finish this post this am...

quilteryoyo....

wow, what a great day, a great NSV, which seem to count more than the food! Running that long means you could do a half marathon....but I hope it was a fab run, with great views, and lots of fresh air. Congrats to you!

to the rest, have a sane and fulfilling day.

Hi,
I am fairly new to MFP, have lots to lose, and due to the academic work, have been very sedentary for the last while,,,that and fear of a recurrence of debilitating pain from sciatica. I am trying to get out, walk briskly with the dog for a few kilometers, and then will try running when my endurance is better. Anyone else start out like this, slow, but steady? The couch to 5k, or even the longer ones seem too much at once at this stage, but , in another month, I will be trying them.

Hope this group becomes more active and involved with posting.....Cheers, BJ

Hi there QYY,
I really appreciate hearing of your own experience, and your sharing of that knowledge. I am not at the 5 days a week, 30 min, YET. I will be in another 2-3 weeks I think. So sorry for your shin splints, that was painful....and you obviously do not suffer from them now. Like you, I can get over ambitious and overdue it, so to make this a lifestyle change, I am really trying to acquire the regular habit of walk-then jog-run.....and doing too much too soon will be self sabotage. I looked up and bookmarked you other suggestion of marathon training that takes longer, and plan to undertake that as soon as I hit the higher walking goals.

Right now I am at 2 km/ 1.25 miles/ in 25 minutes...but Runtastic tells me I am doing 3.5 mph... but.I do take 2 rests. Sometimes that just helps me recover wind. Will keep plugging, and using your success for inspiration!

Hi QYY,

I was really down and out for the count there for much longer than I thought....but I got out and did the same brisk walk, even increased the milage, and took extra time to warm down. I did a recovery drink - planned in my food - and felt better than not doing it. Thanks for the encouragement, I am stil working on making it out the door at least 4 times this week.....the woof was very happy, and I felt great after!

Do you ever use wrist weights to increase upper circulation? Or does the jog just do that? Also, do you have snow, and do you run in it in special shoes? I could see my fave trail had some snow on it; it is a mud-stone path that I find softer on the body than the pavement; I don't do concrete at all, even Costco has it limits for me... right now I use a standard running shoe.

Hi Gina,
My name is Gail (healthfulnow) and also just started running. Quilteryoyo is a great inspiration and encourager to us all. I'm 55 y.o. mom of 3 with my youngest 15 y.o. and my oldest 28 1/2. I am a grand mom of 2 (ages 4 and 3). I am also running my first 5K on the weekend of April 27th. Are you perhaps doing the St. Luke's race? I could not find if you lived in PA like myself. Wish you the best.

Hi Gail...The race I am doing is at Pensacola Beach FL April 26th. Best Wishes in your race as well!! I will check the post after 27th to see how it went for you or you can friend me. I loved the couch to 5K program..worked great!.