Did you start jogging/running while still obese?

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Replies

  • brustman1369
    brustman1369 Posts: 4 Member
    I started running four years ago when I was 44 and @250 pounds. When I started, I couldn't run a single block. Yesterday, I ran my second marathon.

    Start slow and do what you can. The C25K programs are good.

    Stick with it if you enjoy it, don't if you don't. You said you ran before, so probably you will.

    Running's great. But you can't outrun your fork.
  • BobcatGirl110
    BobcatGirl110 Posts: 364 Member
    I was obese when I started and I also started with C25k...it's a wonderful program to start with. Run slow when you run and if you need to stop and walk then do...the point is to keep doing it and you WILL build up strength and endurance I promise you. Once you have the right shoes and keep with it you will find yourself doing things you never imagined. My C25k program ran with my own music in the background (as I assume most do) so you listen to music you love while it tells you when you walk and when you run. You can do this....I was never a runner in my life and now I can't live without it. It helps me when I'm stressed, angry, bored, etc etc.....you got this!
  • mojohowitz
    mojohowitz Posts: 900 Member
    I was 300+ lbs when I started "running." It was more like extended doubled-over panting sessions interspersed with short periods or walking and lumbering. However, I stuck with it and as the weight came off the panting lessened and the lumbering evolved into an elegant lurching.

    Now, I look like an epileptic orangutan when I run but I could care less. I did my first marathon last October.

    You can do it. Listen to your body. Learn the difference between pain and discomfort.
  • BobcatGirl110
    BobcatGirl110 Posts: 364 Member

    Im currently 225lbs and can do 1.5 miles straight on the treadmill, and almost 1 mile straight on outdoor road terrain. Sometimes I get self conscious about it, but then I think ya know what, f**k what people think, Im better'ing myself.

    My experience is that runners will cheer you on. Runners don't care if you are overweight, if you stop to walk, if only run a half mile, or if you wear an oversized t-shirt and sweats (which I did when I started)....they are encouraging and accepting of anyone who is trying or who "gets it" :) cause honestly to enjoy running is a mindset many can't understand so we all "get it" :)
  • asdowe13
    asdowe13 Posts: 1,951 Member
    Started at 250 lbs!

    Things i learned along the way.

    The C25K (couch to 5 km) is a wonderful tool to help get you moving.
    Repeat weeks as needed.
    Slow, oh so slow - you should be able to carry on a normal conversation without wheezing and gasping.
    Water lots of water - this helped with my shin splints, and cramps
    Stitches in your side when running - stop take a deep breath, hold it and slowly release x3 or more if needed.
    Map out a 3-4km route (week 1 - week 3 I ran about that) and walk/jog it.
    Enjoy it. If you don't you will likely give up. So pick a route to start that you will want to run, make them harder if you want.
    Speed will come the more you run.
    I found a treadmill to be dreadful on my knees and lower back - so asphalt and trails are where i like to run the most.
    Cold showers are your friend.

    Listen to your body, it will tell you when it's had enough.
  • Flab2fitfi
    Flab2fitfi Posts: 1,349 Member
    Started at 250 lbs!

    Things i learned along the way.

    The C25K (couch to 5 km) is a wonderful tool to help get you moving.
    Repeat weeks as needed.
    Slow, oh so slow - you should be able to carry on a normal conversation without wheezing and gasping.
    Water lots of water - this helped with my shin splints, and cramps
    Stitches in your side when running - stop take a deep breath, hold it and slowly release x3 or more if needed.
    Map out a 3-4km route (week 1 - week 3 I ran about that) and walk/jog it.
    Enjoy it. If you don't you will likely give up. So pick a route to start that you will want to run, make them harder if you want.
    Speed will come the more you run.
    I found a treadmill to be dreadful on my knees and lower back - so asphalt and trails are where i like to run the most.
    Cold showers are your friend.

    Listen to your body, it will tell you when it's had enough.

    +1

    I'm only 5'5 and 180lbs but have two half marathons this year plus about 10 more 10ks. I started out at 245 lbs and yes it was a slow process but I now love running . You clearly know to get the right shoes etc so go out and enjoy.

    PS recent studies show that running is no more likely to damage your need then walking the same distance and runners actually are less likely to have osteoporosis.
  • tabbyblack13
    tabbyblack13 Posts: 299 Member
    I started running while I was almost 200 lbs and I'm 5'6''. Start will a really good pair of shoes and a C25K program for your MP3 player or smartphone. I have the C25K program from Zen Labs on my droid plus I have music on my phone too. Also if you can't complete that day add 10 mins of walking for each cycel you can't do to the orginal 30 mins. This will help your endurance over time and get you motivated because you don't want to spend an hour on the treadmill.
  • scraver2003
    scraver2003 Posts: 526 Member
    First off, I am so very sorry for your loss. <3

    I am about 260lbs right now. I did a 5k a couple weeks ago (my time was 46:17) and I am doing another 5k on Saturday. You can run - just be very careful. I have gained a lot of weight (pregnancy, etc.) and the extra weight has slowed me down so much. I was doing 5k's in about 35 - 37 mins. I will get back there.

    My advice:

    - Start slow - getting faster takes TIME, practice and patience
    - Good shoes
    - Cross training. (Zumba, weight lifting, step classes, kick boxing, DVD's at home - whatever) Do things that will help strengthen those muscles - it will make running better/easier.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    I started at 300#...slowness will be your friend. slow pace and slow build. you'll gain the strength an endurance to push it over time.

    also lift weights. help strengthen the tools you'll be using
    Agreed. I started running at about 275 LBS. The key is to start SLOW. Start by doing a lot of walking, and then start including short runs into your walks. Check into the C25K.

    And one of the best things you can do is build your stamina with some non-impact cardio exercise, like cycling, elliptical or swimming.
  • mom2my4boys
    mom2my4boys Posts: 148 Member
    Hi,
    I'm very sorry for your loss!!! I'm 5'5 and started "jogging" on an elliptical at 275lbs. (i have a rare joint disease and thought it best to start there) As i've lost weight, i've progressed to the treadmill. (still hurts my joints at 199lbs but i'm going slow and building up each time) I've tried running on the road and suffered with sore, swollen ankles for weeks afterwards. I'm currently waiting for it to stop snowing, (i'm canadian and it's still coming down a foot at a time!) so i can try out trail running. I will run a marathon someday and if you want to, you will too! Keep at it, good shoes, go slow, listen to your body, you'll get it :)
  • caseys29
    caseys29 Posts: 63 Member
    I'm 5'7 and currently 260. I started walking 2-3 miles a few times a week in September. I started running in January/February when I was about 270 pounds. My knees hurt all the time when I first started. I didn't think it was ever going to end and it was kind of scary, but I spoke to an orthopedic surgeon at work (I work in a hospital) and he said it was really common for women to feel pain under their kneecaps when they first start running and to take two Aleve twice a day. I've been doing that and now my knees are feeling great. I've gone from not even being able to bend my knees in bed at night because they hurt so badly to not even feeling pain in my knees while running.

    I started with running small distances downhill. A quarter of a mile, then half a mile, and so on. I'm now up to running three-four miles, three or four times a week. I am extremely slow, as in being passed by old men walking slow, but I am able to run for an entire three miles. I've tried running several times before and never stuck with it and I think it's because I was trying to go too fast. I work on speed intervals once a week, hills once a week, and a longer distance once a week. Maybe one day I'll get faster. Last week I ran up a hill that I could barely walk up a few months ago.

    I vastly prefer running outside to a treadmill. Even with all the hills in my town, I'd rather run up those than be on a treadmill for even a few minutes.

    Good luck! You can do it.
  • mbeuchert24
    mbeuchert24 Posts: 204 Member
    I'm obese (5'6" 218), and just starting to run now. Though I'm still walking more than running...but hopefully it wont' be too long before I can run more.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I only started running last year when I hit the 170s but I see a lot of people on here who run at 200 lbs+. Couch 25K is a great program for those interested in going from walking to running. Try it out and see how it works for you.
  • MizTerry
    MizTerry Posts: 3,763 Member
    I started with walking, then graduated to power walking. After that, I'd run from time to time. I just don't like to run, but occasionally I get the running bug.
  • sriley7682
    sriley7682 Posts: 48 Member
    Yes, I did. I was mostly walking, but I would throw in a jog here and there. I would go as far as I could and then keep walking. I was around your weight then.
  • sriley7682
    sriley7682 Posts: 48 Member
    I was 300+ lbs when I started "running." It was more like extended doubled-over panting sessions interspersed with short periods or walking and lumbering. However, I stuck with it and as the weight came off the panting lessened and the lumbering evolved into an elegant lurching.

    Now, I look like an epileptic orangutan when I run but I could care less. I did my first marathon last October.

    You can do it. Listen to your body. Learn the difference between pain and discomfort.

    This is fantastic. LOL
  • TdaniT
    TdaniT Posts: 331 Member
    I started running at 190lbs on my 5'3" frame. I completed the C25K program indoors on a treadmill. Then I took it outside and found that I loved running (aside from my lungs not cooperating). I am going to get back to running with the weather turning nicer as I haven't seen any weight loss since I have stopped. Although I have been exercising.

    Good luck!
  • bamadwl
    bamadwl Posts: 111 Member
    I started at 300#...slowness will be your friend. slow pace and slow build. you'll gain the strength an endurance to push it over time.

    also lift weights. help strengthen the tools you'll be using
    ^^ This. I started walking at around 425 lbs and then started incorporating lifting weights and just within the last year I've started jogging some. Running to soon can cause joint damage.
  • Smackemdanno
    Smackemdanno Posts: 83 Member
    Get new shoes often. I walked for almost a year to begin with being 320 lbs. I got my legs and feet in shape that way. Increase your mileage slowly. Don't just run distance. Run both long distances slowly and short distances quickly. Warm up and adopt a stretching regimen. Eat right, and not just at a deficit all the time. Educate yourself.
  • gmoneycole
    gmoneycole Posts: 813 Member
    Do the elliptical for a while if you can (gym or your own). This has very little impact and you can get a fantastic burn if you push yourself. After losing a good bit of weight you can then give the running / jogging a try. This is one approach you can take. Just do what will make you happy and successful. Good luck!
  • JoelleAnn78
    JoelleAnn78 Posts: 1,492 Member
    Yup! Started at 219# (5'7") and ran my way to 182# :smooched:
  • GBrady43068
    GBrady43068 Posts: 1,256 Member
    Since you use continual forward motion while running/jogging, get some time in on the elliptical going BACKWARDS..to help counterbalance the other muscles' growth and help avoid knee issues.
  • hnsaunde
    hnsaunde Posts: 757 Member
    I started jogging when I was 5'3 and 200 pounds.

    I also did the run/walk intervals on a treadmill, where I would run for 2 minutes at 5 MHP, and walk for 2 minutes at 3 MPH. Once I got to 5 minutes running, I shortened my walk down to 1 minute, and then worked my way up to running 10 minutes, walking 1, which is what I do now.

    My biggest tip is don't start off too fast, just take things slow, and do lots of stretching and invest in a foam roller.

    Running while obese was not comfortable for me, my knees hurt, I got short of breath really quickly, my IT bands flared up, but I pushed through it, and you do get used to it, and now I run just for fun :)

    ETA: I'm no longer obese, and I have no issues with my knees or anything else hurting when I run now. The more I do it, the more fun it becomes!

    Having said that, you'll need to find the balance between pushing yourself when you're uncomfortable and listening to your body for when you should stop. It's hard to tell sometimes whether you're in pain and should rest, or whether you're uncomfortable and need to push through.
  • Trissyboo
    Trissyboo Posts: 69 Member
    First please let me send my deepest thoughts and prayers to you and your family for the loss of your little one. To endure such a thing is a testament to the type of strength that you possess.

    I started running at 300+ pounds. It was more of a slow jog but I wanted to learn how to run so I joined a couch to 5k program. It has been one of the best things I could have ever done. You have started off well by getting fitted for shoes. Like someone else stated start slow and then work your way up. I wasn't able to run a lick when I first began and now I can run about 30 to 35 minutes straight without stopping. I am still not the fastest person however I give it all I have and that is all that matters.

    Good luck to you and all the best!
  • mrstallent
    mrstallent Posts: 13 Member
    When I first started out I was listed as "morbidly obese" and there was no way I would have been able to do C25K. My husband, who used to be a certified fitness trainer before becoming a PE teacher, had me start with the Mayo Clinic's version. http://www.mayoclinic.org/documents/fsm14-5k-run-pdf/doc-20086108

    It really helped me out a lot. I stretched out some weeks and did them for a few weeks straight until I felt like I would be okay to move on.

    I've been running since September and did my last 5K in 42:46. Not the best, but better than when it took me 1/2 hour to do one mile when I first started!

    Best of luck to you!!

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