I can't run. I want to but I'm struggling.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY...if it says don't run yet, then don't! The last thing you want to do is blow out a knee or an ankle then you won't even be able to "Just" walk for awhile! Walking is better for your joints (the more you weigh the more stress is put on them but works exponentially!). If you truly want to be a runner someday, then great! But maybe for now try power walking: walk at your fast pace (I happen to be a fast walker naturally myself), but add some exaggerated arm movements for a more aerobic workout. I can never be a runner because while I don't have bad knees per se, it just plain is not comfortable for me to run BUT there are plenty of other choices out there (Gonna throw in my plug for the Wii video game system - get any of the Just Dance games - you WILL get an aerobic workout LOL). Also, another plug for a favorite thing: if you wanna run and your biggest complaint is The Girls hurt from bouncing all over the place, then go to titlenine.com and they have the best selection of bras for any size woman! Anything from cute little AA's to The Girls Will Not Bounce We Guarantee It bras! Remember marathon runners do not just wake up one morning and go hmmm let's I dunno...run 25 miles today! They spend lots of time preparing and working up to their goals and if you can do myfitnesspal you can become a runner...in time! AND my favorite saying, anything worth having is worth working for! Good luck!

I would suggest you google the Galloway method. It is interval running and you should have great success with it.

^second this

I'm just about getting the courage to run on the treadmill. I am kind of scared of running in front of people but feel more comfortable doing it on a treadmill than out in the street. I'm worried people will think I'm too fat and can't keep up. Reality is - I can't.

I weigh 230lbs and can walk at a brisk pace for miles and on a gradient. People often comment that I walk too fast but that's normal for me. It gets my heart rate up and I can burn up a sweat but I feel I can get more benefit from running. After a warm up, I can jog or run for about 30 seconds and then I feel like I'm ready to throw up. My chest burns, my boobs hurt, my legs hurt and I feel dizzy. Is this normal for someone who doesn't normally run? I thought I'd get some benefit if I can run for 30 seconds and then walk for 5 to get over the horrible feelings I get, but how can I learn to run properly?

If I can get my heart rate up and sweat from a brisk walk, will running be any better or does it not matter?

slow down! stop "competing" with the people on the next treadmill or trying to run at the speed they are running at. i started out doing 30 seconds on a treadmill at 4.8. persistence and dedication are your friends. we all start somewhere and 30 seconds is a good place to start. check out c25k too it may help.

for me i started running because i got bored walking, i just wanted the walk to be over so i figured if i just ran it i would be done that much faster. i ended up just going further and then realized i enjoyed it. i love running in races - i get such a high from them it's crazy good. crossing that finish line hearing everyone cheering you on OH IT IS SUCH A RUSH! so asking if running is better - yes it is (for me).

I'm just about getting the courage to run on the treadmill. I am kind of scared of running in front of people but feel more comfortable doing it on a treadmill than out in the street. I'm worried people will think I'm too fat and can't keep up. Reality is - I can't.

I weigh 230lbs and can walk at a brisk pace for miles and on a gradient. People often comment that I walk too fast but that's normal for me. It gets my heart rate up and I can burn up a sweat but I feel I can get more benefit from running. After a warm up, I can jog or run for about 30 seconds and then I feel like I'm ready to throw up. My chest burns, my boobs hurt, my legs hurt and I feel dizzy. Is this normal for someone who doesn't normally run? I thought I'd get some benefit if I can run for 30 seconds and then walk for 5 to get over the horrible feelings I get, but how can I learn to run properly?

If I can get my heart rate up and sweat from a brisk walk, will running be any better or does it not matter?

Why don't you try HIIT? walk for a couple minutes, then sprint for a couple minutes, then repeat the whole process for 20 minutes. Burns as much as straight jogging for 60 minutes (I've read, anyway).

Say!
In the dark?
Here in the dark!
Would you, could you, in the dark?

Start walking up hills or on an incline on the TM, this will give you a good work out, but will be less stressful on your joints and such. You will start shedding pounds and getting more comfortable getting sweaty and out of breath in front of people (which is what we are all there to do anyway). The better you get at hills, the faster you should go. Maybe start at 2....then 2.5....then 3....then 3.5 until you are at a jog at around 4.5-6 depending on your stride. You are going to do awesome. You are doing this for YOU!

I also say try C25K. I really wish I would have started this way. I wasn't as heavy as you when I started, but I sure was slow. Don't worry about what people are thinking. You're out there and that's all that matters. The only people you should be comparing yourself to is yourself.

When I started running, I couldn't run 200 metres without stopping. I've just completed my first marathon. It hurt like hell, but I did it. My 5k time has also dropped from an hour with a big rest at half way, to 27:xx mins non-stop at a pushed pace. Stick with it. Running is the best thing I ever did for myself.

I'm also a big proponent of Galloway's run/walk method. I do all distances 10k or over this way. No way I could have done a marathon without using it.

I agree with all of this!!

I glad this was posted. I'm 211 and want to jog on the treadmill and this is just what I needed to read!

C25K is really great. I was in the high 190s when I started the program and was able to follow it all the way through without problems. I started out running at the local high school track early in the AM when there were only a few elderly people there to see me "run." LOL Actually, those folks gave me some of the best encouragement ever.

I gradually got more comfortable with running and having people see me do it.

Here are all my running tips for beginners.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

Note point one:

When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

It could even be slower than your speedy walk. Just get used to doing the different action and the speed will come with time.

And get a bra specifically designed for running - sometimes just general high impact ones don't do the job. If you take a big cup size, think about wearing two - quite a lot of us bigger-boobed exercisers do this.