Am I too heavy for running?

I weighd 320 lbs when I started running. If you're concerned about it. Walk for a few weeks. Then ease into it so your joints have time to adapt. I recomend a program like Couch-to-5K even if yo think your cardio fitness can do better. I will say, my knees and ankles got stronger after I started running regularly.

I started "running" when I was about 260 ish (that was about 5 years ago)- about 2 years ago I developed issues with plantar fas.in my right foot only. I did some reseach into shoes and got some designed more for my issue. Since then it's pretty much gone. I started slow and I'm still not super fast but I enjoy it and just do as much as I can without aggravating my foot or my knee issues. There is no magic number to tell you that you can or can't be a runner. Just look into good shoes (I prefer Asics) and go your own speed. You will do great!

I asked my doctor because I was concerned about the same thing. He told me that being heavy and doing high impact exercises can end up causing injuries to my knees, and/or back. He said I should swim, bike or work out on the elliptical until i'm at a lower weight. If you do decide to starting jogging anyway, make sure that you buy great support shoes.

Go slow do the C25K program, get fitted at a running store for shoes not a sports store.
Do a walk run and no you are not to heavy to run.
Check with your Dr before starting any exercise program.
I watched a gentleman this past year run by my house the progression has been amazing.
He was a very big guy and would run about 30 seconds and walk a minute, I would see him daily now he looks at least 100 lbs less and runs all the way down my street. Not going very fast but still getting there.

I had a very painful and persistent case of plantar fasciitis that is just now back under control. Have you been to see a good podiatrist or perhaps an MD foot specialist? I went through over a year of bad pain in both feet. After shots, physical therapy and custom shoe inserts, and continuing to stretch every day, it's now under control. I wish you the best with that. I know what it's like when you have pain every time you stand up, and pain with almost every step. It is a horrible way to live and really messes with your outlook and mood. So I know how you feel. If you're getting it under control, I would think you would want to be careful-- don't do anything too fast, or you could jeopardize your progress. Since you said you're heavy, I think it's important to realize that it will take time for your joints and muscles to build up to the point where running won't hurt something. Of course if you're in your 20s or 30s, you may have an easier time than someone like me who's pushing 50.

I used to jog about once a week for five miles, along with other exercise a few days a week. Personally if I were getting back into it now (which I can't yet because my shoulder is still in a sling from surgery), I'd start with a few decent length walks, and make sure to keep stretching the feet, calves, hamstrings and Achilles tendons. Then, assuming your feet do okay, maybe do a run-walk-run-walk kind of thing. Take it slowly. Then as you progress and build up strength in your feet, joints and muscles, then take it further. This is what I intend to do next year. And my custom inserts get put into my running shoes when I go. They really do help.

I hope you write again and let us know how it goes!

I do not think you are too heavy. Just listen to your body, build your speed and mileage gradually.
I started running when I was 210 pounds. I'm 5'4 short. I was slow and it was hard, I've had to deal with a lot of shin splints and take breaks, but now I can "comfortably" run a 5k. My time is not the best, but I'm working on it. If I did it, I am 100% sure you can too. Just take it one day at a time and pay attention to your form. A good tip that someone told me when I started running is "If you can slow down, you are running too fast". When you begin, run as slow as you can without it having an impact on your form.

Like a few persons mentioned, I highly suggest the C25K. It's a good program that will help you go from the state of couch potato to 5k runner. The fact that it's a plan really helps you stay motivated.

If you ever feel like it hurts too much, stop. Attempt an exercise that's low impact like the elliptical. It's really easy on your joints and is a great workout.

You can do this! Take care. xo

Heard a doctor say that every pound above your knee adds 5 pounds of pressure on the knees. So if a person loses 10 pounds, they lose 50 pounds of pressure on the knees.

Go slow and easy while listening to your body is good advice.

After several running injuries, calf tear and knee issues, I'm doing low impact exercise (walking, elliptical, swimming and weights) until I get closer to 200 pounds.

Just rolling off what other folks are saying, but no you're not! Start small. Good running shoes are everything. I managed to get a stress fracture in my foot this summer because I was toodling around in ones that were falling apart.

On a slightly more scientific note, biologically it's important that you lose the weight if you want to build back that bone strength. I was a lab assistant for a few semesters where we focused on in vivo musculoskeletal biomechanics and skeletal adaptation to load and disuse. We used mice but the principle remains the same. Stop using those bones and muscles, lose bone strength. Obviously don't go sprinting out the door now and run 30 miles, but start getting in the habit of running a little bit. If absolutely nothing else, I find it very enjoyable:)

Best of luck OP!

Go running.

The longest journey begins with a single... Run.

Look for the silver lining... and run to it.

Roses are red, violets are... nope, poetry is for runners. Go running.



Hope that helped!

go to a running store and have them observe your gait to know which shoes are best for you.

you're not too heavy

Personally, and having had plantar fasciitis in the past, I would not run if I were that heavy, as getting in to trouble again would create a big delay on my exercise goals. I would start with low impact exercise, for example walking and swimming (I love swimming these days) and once I've dropped more weight I would start running again.

Once you start running you should get decent running shoes (these days I've gone for minimalist shoes) and work on your running technique to avoid putting unreasonable strain on your feet.

For me shoes are everything!! Suffered from PF til it hurt to walk, much less run. With the right shoes, I'm completely healed. As so many have said, go to a running store that will watch your gait and find the right shoe for you. Start off slowly and keep on runnin! Best of luck in your journey.

You are absolutely not too big to run!

See this article if you need some motivation to get started:
http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/sumo-wrestler-breaks-world-record-for-heaviest-man-to-complete-marathon-032011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm07iPOl4ko

I second the advice above about getting fitted for appropriate running shoes. Start out slowly and build up you mileage very gradually. Don't worry about speed at this point. Focus on time on your feet. Take walking breaks as needed. c25k is a good program

Good luck!

Not at all OP I started running when I was 100kg (I am not much less now haha) and have completed the c25k program. Admittedly I don't do 5k as I only shuffle along at 6km/h (and I use the treadmill) but the point is that I just gave it a red hot go! Now am doing the c210k and hopefully can build some speed and some more stamina.

Go for gold :happy:

No your not. I started at around 280 pounds just take it easy and walk run to start with