Who's done C25k?

PinkyFett
PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just downloaded an app and I'm thinking about starting tomorrow or the next day, since tomorrow might be a rest day for me.

Anyone have luck losing weight on this program?

Replies

  • dettiot
    dettiot Posts: 180 Member
    More than just losing weight, Couch to 5K helped turn me into a runner and helped me become healthier and stronger.

    Good luck with the app!
  • mamahannick
    mamahannick Posts: 322 Member
    I just started this to condition myself for a 5k in May. I am combining it with Jillian Michaels workouts to build strength as well.

    Weight loss is calories in vs calories out though, so any workout when balanced accordingly with your intake will equal weight loss. :)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    It's a good program for getting you ready for a 5K. Your weight loss is largely about your diet, not your exercise. Exercise simply increases your activity level, thus increasing your energy (calorie) requirements...thus you either create a larger deficit than you already have with your diet (not always the best way to go) or you can eat more and still lose weight. With MFP you are not trying to out exercise your diet...you are using your diet for weight control and exercise for fitness.
  • mamahannick
    mamahannick Posts: 322 Member
    It's a good program for getting you ready for a 5K. Your weight loss is largely about your diet, not your exercise. Exercise simply increases your activity level, thus increasing your energy (calorie) requirements...thus you either create a larger deficit than you already have with your diet (not always the best way to go) or you can eat more and still lose weight. With MFP you are not trying to out exercise your diet...you are using your diet for weight control and exercise for fitness.

    Excellent advice. :)
  • QS82
    QS82 Posts: 65 Member
    Completed it a couple of years ago, it was one of the best things I ever did!

    Along with counting kcals and other exercise it has helped me lose weight, and although i'll never be a marathon runner I do regular 5 and 10k's now where I couldn't run for more than a few minutes to start with. It really is excellent. :smile:
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member


    Anyone have luck losing weight on this program?

    C25K isn't a weight loss program. It's a ''learn to run" program.

    That being said, yes - I lost weight while doing C25K. But I lost the weight because I had my calories right.
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    it's an awesome way to learn to run five km. I didn't lose weight primarily from running though, I lost the weight from eating less.
  • erincsnider
    erincsnider Posts: 1
    I just started the program myself today. :) I did a test trial of it last week to see what the intervals would be like and it wasn't too bad! I'm sure the first little while it will be difficult but I am optimistic.
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  • mgallop1
    mgallop1 Posts: 7
    I just got back from week 7 day one, I've lost a couple kilos just by going from totally sedentary to a lil bit of regular exercise but mostly I am SO much fitter and happier this end - I ran for 20 minutes straight today which isn't a lot but I thought I would never make it past 10 minutes the first time I ran that haha. But yeah I agree with the other posters, it's not going to shed pounds in seconds but it's such a good way to get back into an active lifestyle because it's so simple and manageable.
  • thatismesammyg
    thatismesammyg Posts: 71 Member
    It's a great way to get you hooked on running. I never thought I could run 5K. I used the app for about two weeks and that was all I needed. Once i knew I could do that I just started pushing myself farther. I'm up to 5 miles straight now and I'm training for a 10K this fall.

    I did lose weight along the way because I figured out that running isn't as easy when you're fat. It's a lot of extra luggage to carry. I began modifying my diet and counting calories. It's a heck of a lot easier for me to run now that my heart rate can stay at a decent level. I don't get as tired as quickly.
  • thatismesammyg
    thatismesammyg Posts: 71 Member
    I just got back from week 7 day one, I've lost a couple kilos just by going from totally sedentary to a lil bit of regular exercise but mostly I am SO much fitter and happier this end - I ran for 20 minutes straight today which isn't a lot but I thought I would never make it past 10 minutes the first time I ran that haha. But yeah I agree with the other posters, it's not going to shed pounds in seconds but it's such a good way to get back into an active lifestyle because it's so simple and manageable.

    Congrats on running 20 min straight!
  • echoslug
    echoslug Posts: 73 Member
    Yep, I found that by the time I could run 30 minutes 4-7 days a week I was slimming down really quick. I lost about a 1/2 inch off my waist every week without changing my diet (though it's already pretty healthy). I imagine that would have plateaued pretty soon but it was nice to see the change. I absolutely loved it but then I got to run beautiful trails along the beach and in the redwoods in Northern California.

    Sadly I've been forced to stop on doctors order but hopefully I'll be cleared to start running again by mid-March.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    I just downloaded an app and I'm thinking about starting tomorrow or the next day, since tomorrow might be a rest day for me.

    Anyone have luck losing weight on this program?

    It will help your fitness level, but weight loss happens in the kitchen
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    You can't outrun a bad diet.

    C25K is great for learning to run 3 miles/5 km without stopping. Depending on your weight, it will only add 600-900 calories a week to your energy expenditure. That doesn't make a huge difference in weight loss. It will give you more energy and develop your muscles -- mostly legs, but also core and upper body to a lesser extent.

    No matter how much you exercise, you can gain weight. In 2012 I bicycled over 2400 miles and gained 10 lb. Last year I lost around 45 not because I was bicycling more (though I was) but because I was eating less.
  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
    I know how this works, diet is the main thing with weight loss. I meant in comparison to just walking/running on the treadmill. Should have worded it differently.
  • mamahannick
    mamahannick Posts: 322 Member
    I know how this works, diet is the main thing with weight loss. I meant in comparison to just walking/running on the treadmill. Should have worded it differently.

    Well it IS walking/running on the treadmill, just designed where it gradually builds you up to being able to run the distance without walking. It has the same benefits as walking/running on your own without the program, they just make it easy to follow and build up.
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    I finished C25K, whet on to the 10K bridge and finished with a 10K Race in October of last year. As long as I watch my calorie intake and continue training 3-4 days a week I lose weight. After I ran my 10K running became about so much more than exercise to help weight loss. It became second nature for me. Sure I slack off from time to time, usually when it's ridiculously cold outside like it has been these last couple of months or it's snowing.

    For the most part though, the BIGGEST benefits I have seen from running are:

    My blood pressure has dropped. I was average before, now I am slightly below average. 117/64
    My resting heart rate has dropped from 72 to 58.
    My recovery rate is much faster. The "panting" that used to go on for maybe 10 minutes now ends after about 3 minutes.

    Honestly if I never lose another pound it won't matter as long as I can run! Lace up and get out there!!!

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