Running when overweight?

I started running at 238/239-ish (5'9" female) and have bad hips and back problems. I've only gone down to 224 now and run 4-4.5 miles at a time, and I'm working up to half-marathon training.

Start by getting fitted for good running shoes. Go to a specialty running store, and have them do a free gait analysis, then get some shoes that are good for your body and running style. Then work up to distance running by doing intervals. Do you run at all yet? If not, maybe try the c25k program to get started. That's what I started with at the end of April, and my training plan right now is working towards 10 miles at a time within the next 2 months.

You should be okay if you start slow and take your time. When I first started with this weight loss thing I started walking and wanted to move on to running as well. What I used to do because I didn't want anyone to see me struggling was get out extra early in the morning. I'd walk a block, run a block, until I was able to run the whole time. I did this for awhile because I couldn't afford the gym. Later on I moved to the treadmill and each month as I got faster and could run farther, I'd increase my speed. I'm now running at 6.7 on the treadmill. I alternate when I can between running on the treadmill and a regular run on the road. I have to admit to some minor knee issues but it is mostly due to an injury some years ago. All you need are the proper shoes, learn proper form and pace yourself. Heavier folks (like me) need shoes with extra cushioning to make the impact easier on our knee joints. Also make sure you get some strength training in as well, like lunges and squats with weights. It helps to keep your legs strong and run farther and faster.

Take your time and go for it!

I forgot to mention that concrete is rougher on your joints. I have found trails to be gentler than asphalt, which is gentler than concrete.

I am inspired and will soon be running with ya'll. I want to run a 5K for my 48th birthday in March so I have time to train.

Its no so much how much you weigh, more like the condition your knees are in.

Example - I would love to run, I used to enjoy it when I was younger - before I abused my body by kneeling in places where lil old ladies would say "you'll regret that when you're older"
My Ortho said I have arthritus, not the genetic kind, the "you should have been nicer to your body" kind and I am not allowed to run.
Walk yes, Bike, yes, anything, except run.

I'd love to run with my dog like my son does, except I think she'd end up helping me to walk home.

If it hurts, don't do it, start slow and easy and work up to it.

Something I've always wanted to train myself to do was run for long distances, but I recently read that anyone either heavy or overweight just shouldn't run at all because they'll basically massacre their knees?
Is this true? Am I doomed to forever use the elliptical?
Elliptical's not gangster at all :grumble:
I'm 210lbs and 6'2, so about 20lbs overweight.

Nope just take it slowly.. work yourself up to it. Walking fast turns into some jogging then all out running. Try to do your walking then go into a jog for as long as you can handle then back to a walk, keep doing this. Interval jogging/walking burns lots of calories. I just started but the more I try is the longer I can handle a jog spurt. Just take it easy and make sure you stretch afterwards.

Stretch, stretch, stretch before hand.

Actually No well not static stretches all the research over the past decade as pointed towards static stretches causing and promoting injuries before running. Best best is to warm up with a bit of a walk before running ore just start very didn't for the first 10 minutes

Keeping my stride fairly short with a midfoot strike makes a big, big difference in my knees' attitude toward running. I wear minimalist shoes. They were the only shoes I could wear for a year or two because of bunions and other joint-related issues, and now they help me a lot with running form.

I hope it's going well for you, Lumpy! :happy:

I have knee problems and I run. But, I learned from experience that overdoing it does cause injuries not just to the knees. In the last year, I have had a stress fracture and plantar fascitis. So far what I'm doing is working well for me. I workout 6 days a week. I'm doing a couch to 5K program and run every other day following that program and on the days I don't run, I do an elliptical interval program. And rest one day a week. Good luck to you!