Jogging for beginners

I'd start with couch to 5k (c25k) which is a running programme that can be downloaded onto your phone, it's especially designed for people that haven't ran before.

C25K is probably the best programme for you to try, I used it and found it really good, I may start using it again as I havnt been out running now for nearly a year so have lost the little fitness I had, I to hated running but found it very satisfying that I could do it without and even joined the park run family and ran 5k in 38mins not very fast but I did it!! good luck with it

Good for you! I started running similarly- just decided one day I was going to try it and little by little built up until I was running a half marathon. Not fast mind you, but I did it and I loved it. Running also helped me go from 180 to 135 and put me in the best shape of my life.

The biggest piece of advice I could give you looking back, is to not neglect strength training and cross training. When I discovered running, I threw everything else out the window because I loved to run so much, but my desire to do much else disappeared. This was a mistake and suffered injury after injury. Doing it this way may be fine on lower mileage, but believe me once you get to 10 miles+, you want your quads and your core to be in good shape to avoid injuring your knees. I had problems with my knees and then with my hip and finally my back. Almost 2 years ago now they found that I have a herniated disc in my back and disc degenerative disease. I can no longer run and really anything other than yoga causes me pain as well.

So the moral of this story is run and love it (because you will!!) but remember to continue to strengthen your body to help you support your body and to avoid doing significant damage to it.

Have fun!

Hey guys I am a beginner at jogging. I'm looking for any advice that you may have for me. I started my weight loss journey at 273 lbs (currently 226). I feel like I'm ready to try jogging. I have never liked running but its a new year & I'm ready for some new adventures!

Check with your doctor first and make sure running/jogging is something that is safe for you. If you have any kind of knee or back problems, it's not a good idea, and you'll feel better knowing you have your doctor's stamp of approval first.
Then see if you really do like it. If you don't, you won't stick with it.

Welcome to the wonderful world of running! Start with the couch to 5k program, as a beginning step. This program is specifically designed to assist with early anxiety, pushing you more a little each day - which is what running is all about. You're always trying to do better than the run before. Good luck!

It may sound silly but I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone.

Not silly at all! I hate running, so what did I do? I made a goal to run 50 miles in January. Haha, that's the only way I can get my butt out to do it. Good luck! Just don't push yourself to the point of injury.

Congrats on your weight loss!!!

Agree with much of what is said. You only have one set of knees...they'll be happier if you wait til you have less weight pounding on them. How about elliptical til then? Walking FAST is also excellent exercise (especially if you seek out a hilly terrain) and much easier on the knees.

Bravo that you want to be out of your comfort zone. Great attitude!

Good luck!

I did C25K and I didn't even enjoy running to begin with... But I ended up falling in love with it! Now I look forward to running. Just start out slow, don't go too fast, you will get there in time! The C25K is amazing.

It may sound silly but I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone.

No, that's the whole point. That's how a body gets stronger, mentally and physically.

Knees? Mine got stronger as I ran more and more. Just do it slowly.

In to vouch for C25K!

C25K is how I got started and I used to hate running. Follow the plan and give yourself time to see if you like it or not. Day 1 of week 1 I thought to myself, "I can't believe I'm doing this! I'm actually running! I feel great!" Day 2 of week 1 I thought to myself, "I can't believe people do this for fun! Why would anybody keep doing this?!" That was three years ago and I have since ran 4 half marathons.

I've started out jogging at about a 3.5 mph pace. I jog to songs, right now I'm up to about 4 songs without stopping. I started out with 1 song. Before I gained the wieght I was very active, but never liked running. Now, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm so excited that I can run, which motivates me to continue running. Starting slow has helped me greatly!

I tried the C25K program, and it wasnt for me.

Some good comments.

When I started my weight loss program, I used walking as one of my forms of exercise. I just kept increasing my distance when I thought I could handle more. Then I got a Wii and Wii Fit and noticed that "running" in the game was a pretty good workout so I bought a treadmill.


I started walking at a rapid pace on the treadmill until that became boring. I increased the speed and got used to jogging and like running, only did as much as I could handle. Slowly I kept jogging longer and faster.

Then the day came when I ran outside for the first time, not realizing the difference between the forgiving surface of the treadmill and the not-so-friendly concrete. I ran up and down the street a few times each day to get used to it.

Finally, when I thought I was ready, I headed out and started running, sold the treadmill, and never looked back.