SO UNFIT!!!
danimarshall410
Posts: 7
So I'm not overweight and I eat well. Decided to download the Couch25k podcast to up my cardio a bit as my exercise routine is fairly non-existent. In all honesty I expected it to be so easy. The podcast is designed for complete beginners and was actually created by someone to help his mum lose weight.
At 19 years old, I really expected to fly through it.
Trying my best not to get dishartened at my horrendous attempt at a run (I think I made it to about 1.5k and that's with walking breaks!) just keep telling myself that it'll get easier the more I do it.
Guess it just shows though that being slim doesn't necessarily mean that someone is fit and healthy on the inside.
At 19 years old, I really expected to fly through it.
Trying my best not to get dishartened at my horrendous attempt at a run (I think I made it to about 1.5k and that's with walking breaks!) just keep telling myself that it'll get easier the more I do it.
Guess it just shows though that being slim doesn't necessarily mean that someone is fit and healthy on the inside.
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Replies
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True dat.
Best of luck with the running!
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I know exactly where you're coming from, but it does get easier! I have the soul of a runner, but I didn't pick it up until a couple years ago. I created a playlist on my ipod and set out to be a runner. I could barely get through the first verse and chorus of a song to start, but a couple weeks in, and I could run for about 25 minutes straight without walking. I ran slowly, but deliberately. I loved it, but then winter came, then allergy season, then my feet decided to have gout! I picked it up again a couple weeks ago, but I'm weird and I just run in place while watching tv in my living space. Keep going and have fun!0
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Forget the C25K. Seriously. Just run till you can't run anymore, then keep running. Then next time run further.
This is coming from someone who could not run 100 mtrs August last year....... by October I was doing 10km easy. I just one day decided rather than walk the 3km I was walking...I'd run it. I was so proud. Next day I ran 4. I was again proud. I thought I can o 5km easy.... I ran 7. Then I figured I could do 8km..... I ran 9km & stayed there for a bit. Then I ran 11km & decided that 10km was more than enough (plus the route run works out to 10km exactly by the time I reach my gate) ...now I actually do 10km in 50 min flat (was over an hour when I started) and now I'm back up to 11km per day cause I wwant to run next years Puffing Billy Train race & that is 13.2
No C25k....... just pure determination from a former fatty that never ran in her life.
Just run till you can't run. Then when you think of stopping..... don't. Know you are not going to die.0 -
So I'm not overweight and I eat well. Decided to download the Couch25k podcast to up my cardio a bit as my exercise routine is fairly non-existent. In all honesty I expected it to be so easy. The podcast is designed for complete beginners and was actually created by someone to help his mum lose weight.
At 19 years old, I really expected to fly through it.
Trying my best not to get dishartened at my horrendous attempt at a run (I think I made it to about 1.5k and that's with walking breaks!) just keep telling myself that it'll get easier the more I do it.
Guess it just shows though that being slim doesn't necessarily mean that someone is fit and healthy on the inside.
to be honest, thats kinda normal. cardiovascular fitness feels horrible to break through the barrier at the beginning, but you should see improvement pretty quickly. dont give up! its worth it.0 -
So I'm not overweight and I eat well. Decided to download the Couch25k podcast to up my cardio a bit as my exercise routine is fairly non-existent. In all honesty I expected it to be so easy. The podcast is designed for complete beginners and was actually created by someone to help his mum lose weight.
At 19 years old, I really expected to fly through it.
Trying my best not to get dishartened at my horrendous attempt at a run (I think I made it to about 1.5k and that's with walking breaks!) just keep telling myself that it'll get easier the more I do it.
Guess it just shows though that being slim doesn't necessarily mean that someone is fit and healthy on the inside.
to be honest, thats kinda normal. cardiovascular fitness feels horrible to break through the barrier at the beginning, but you should see improvement pretty quickly. dont give up! its worth it.
this. Good luck!0 -
Don't be too disheartened!
I was a total couch potato until about 6 years ago when I started going to the gym. I started out doing cardio classes like Body Attack and at first I really struggled and had to take breaks quite often but eventually built up my fitness and could do them no bother.
I then took up swimming and again, built myself up and could do length after length no bother.
I'd always wanted to be a runner and tried again and again to take it up and no matter how hard I tried, I barely improved and then, when I did improve, I'd go back to square 1 again. At the moment I'm trying to run again and decided to do 5k on the treadmill and time myself so last week it took me 46 mins 10 seconds, then I did it a few days later and it took 44 mins 50. Yay, I thought! Did it yesterday and only managed 1.5k and even at that I was sooo slow. It always feels like I never get anywhere with running. I think it's partly because running is quite psychological. There's nothing to distract you from your pain and tiredness like there is in playing a sport, going to a class etc.0 -
Phew! I thought it was just me, so many people can just strap on a pair of trainers and run, I couldn't understand why I was close to death after 1k!!!
But I'll push through it and hopefully in a month or two I'll be posting about how I can run 5k with no problems at all.
Thanks guys!0 -
The great thing about fitness is u feel daily improvements. Just keep at it and always challenge yourself. I am still overweight but i crossfit with people who are thin and fit with abs and who run 1/2 marathons for fun. Thats not me, im not a great runner... but my crossfit times are in the top 3. Be encouraged. Fitness is fun.0
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Keep at it! You will see improvement, that is what the program is designed for. I used it, and made steady progress.
I am on the other side of the coin - I am not slim (yet) but running my 3rd marathon in two weeks. Fitness can be deceiving!
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Forget the C25K. Seriously. Just run till you can't run anymore, then keep running. Then next time run further.
No C25k....... just pure determination from a former fatty that never ran in her life.
Just run till you can't run. Then when you think of stopping..... don't. Know you are not going to die.
Although that works for some people, I know that the interval training from C25K helps me tremendously, and I do think the short rest periods are good for your body to recover a little bit and allow you to extend your workout without injuring anything. I'm on week 5, day 3 today, and I intend to finish the C210k program by the end of the summer. Good luck to you!0 -
Forget the C25K. Seriously. Just run till you can't run anymore, then keep running. Then next time run further.
This is coming from someone who could not run 100 mtrs August last year....... by October I was doing 10km easy. I just one day decided rather than walk the 3km I was walking...I'd run it. I was so proud. Next day I ran 4. I was again proud. I thought I can o 5km easy.... I ran 7. Then I figured I could do 8km..... I ran 9km & stayed there for a bit. Then I ran 11km & decided that 10km was more than enough (plus the route run works out to 10km exactly by the time I reach my gate) ...now I actually do 10km in 50 min flat (was over an hour when I started) and now I'm back up to 11km per day cause I wwant to run next years Puffing Billy Train race & that is 13.2
No C25k....... just pure determination from a former fatty that never ran in her life.
Just run till you can't run. Then when you think of stopping..... don't. Know you are not going to die.
Different strokes for different folks. While I loved your philosophy, it caused me all sorts of tendon issues when I followed this same advice highlighted in "Chi Running". Four years later and several tries using your advice, I kept getting injured. This year I'm trying a new tactic. I began by walking 3 miles 4 days a week for 3 weeks, then started C25K in week 4 - last week. I'm doing MUCH better and my confidence is high. No pain, just success.
Not saying you're wrong, just saying your way worked for you but not always everyone.0 -
You're right, I wish I could just decide to run until I couldn't stop anymore but I need a very definite distance or time or I just give up way too soon. I don't enjoy exercise, I do it because I know I have to if I want to look good this summer. So for me I need to know it's just 30 minutes or 5k and then I'm all done. This is why couch to 5k works for me, it's the only thing that's ever even got me out of the door for a run!0
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Just keep going. You'll get better. The best thing you could do for yourself at this point is to study proper running form and get started running correctly. It will make your running more enjoyable and result in less chance of injury.0
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You and me both. Even with good cario fitness from when I was doing biking. I have a hell of a time trying to run. c25k is a good program to start with.
If you can add in more and longer walks too throughout the day.0 -
Cardiovascular training is always the worst the first few times you do it. A run walk style is not a bad thing, just keep concious of your work to rest ratio (keep it around 1:1 or 1:3). Without going too much into the science, the more you train your cardiovascular system, the better your body gets at taking in and using oxygen! So keep it going (with proper rest)!! It shouldn't be too long till you see some solid gains!!0
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I FEEL YOU GIRL, lol!
I've never been "overweight" either but I've always been terribly unfit! It used to be that just thinking about having to run put me out of breath! I started in the exact same boat as you or worse, barely able to jog for 60 seconds and I HATED it. The C25K was really hard for me but I pushed through and finished it (twice actually, but I got injured towards the end of the first time). I just finished my second round about a week or so ago and I'm really excited about running! I never thought I'd be able to say that. I'm no Olympic athlete by any means, but I've finally got some confidence in my fitness and I feel good about it.
One thing that definitely helped me was to start walking everyday. Before I started C25K I had been walking for around an hour most days to my favorite music. I know someone mentioned doing it without C25K, but I don't think that would have ever worked for me. My advice is to stick with it, even if feels too hard and you want to give up. Never dump on yourself and say you're not strong enough or that you suck at running because you're making HUGE steps and are leaving behind people in the dust who are just sitting on the couch. They wish they had the motivation and ambition that you do. Keep it up!
I can't wait to do a Halloween themed race myself. You should find a really fun 5K race and use that as motivator as well! ^_^0 -
Hi there, just want to encourage you to keep trying. I only began myself with 10 seconds running and about 2 minutes walking.. But first I could walk for a good distance/time. I began February 2012 and ran a 5K in August 2012 and am now in love with running and am working up to a 10k, but no hurry. By the way, last year Feb 6, turned 55-years-old)
You might find this site helpful; Olympiad runner Jeff Galloway, check it out, may be of some help.
Good luck!0 -
Couch to 5K is an awesome running program. It has worked for me and so many other that I know. Keep at it. You can do it! And you are right, slimness has nothing to do with cardiovascular fitness. But since you are slim, you may want to think about adding weight training and eating plenty of calories as you progress with your running. Lift, eat, run!!!0
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Forget the C25K. Seriously. Just run till you can't run anymore, then keep running. Then next time run further.
This is coming from someone who could not run 100 mtrs August last year....... by October I was doing 10km easy. I just one day decided rather than walk the 3km I was walking...I'd run it. I was so proud. Next day I ran 4. I was again proud. I thought I can o 5km easy.... I ran 7. Then I figured I could do 8km..... I ran 9km & stayed there for a bit. Then I ran 11km & decided that 10km was more than enough (plus the route run works out to 10km exactly by the time I reach my gate) ...now I actually do 10km in 50 min flat (was over an hour when I started) and now I'm back up to 11km per day cause I wwant to run next years Puffing Billy Train race & that is 13.2
No C25k....... just pure determination from a former fatty that never ran in her life.
Just run till you can't run. Then when you think of stopping..... don't. Know you are not going to die.
Different strokes for different folks. While I loved your philosophy, it caused me all sorts of tendon issues when I followed this same advice highlighted in "Chi Running". Four years later and several tries using your advice, I kept getting injured. This year I'm trying a new tactic. I began by walking 3 miles 4 days a week for 3 weeks, then started C25K in week 4 - last week. I'm doing MUCH better and my confidence is high. No pain, just success.
Not saying you're wrong, just saying your way worked for you but not always everyone.
Why do people try to run 'chi' I'll never know. Run how YOUR body runs, not what someone else tells you that your form should be. I tried chi & got hurt, went back to MY running style & didn't get hurt again. I can't understand why people try to run a particular way that their body does not want to run like. If you hell strike, then so be it. If you run on your toes, then so be it. That's your NATURAL way of running & that means less chance of you being injured from trying to follow someone elses style of running that is natural to THEM0
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