I tried to run, I really tried..

I'm doing the Couch To 5K Program! Also known as C25K. I use to be a runner when I was thinner but now i'm trying to get back to where I was and knew that I had to start slow. This is a great program! You should look into it!!

I was going to suggest couch to 5k iphone app but someone already has....it's great!!!

Do what you can. I started out only WALKING for ten minutes and i would get light headed. It took weeks to get past that. Pace yourself. Do a minute or two running. Then walk. Keep at it, and your stamina will increase. You can do it, girl!

Every body is different. I'd say try to take it easier. Do a super short jog every morning. It will vary how far you can run but just remember, it's mind over matter. Push yourself out of your comfort zone a little bit each time but not so much to where you're vomiting before you even finish. If you can only go as far as a block, that's fine, you know what you need to work on and it is a start. Make sure you are also eating healthy, I know when I have a game that if I filled up on junk food I too always feel like I have to puke after only a short period of time but eating healthy food and healthy amounts really help. Last of all, don't eat right before you work out. I found after a while that I progressed a lot better if I hadn't ate, plus after I exercised I would eat less then i had. Just a few tips, they may seem obvious but you'd be surprised as to how often the little things are over looked.

Hi there, good for you deciding to be a runner! It is sooooo worth it. I would recommend you continue your c25k follow the intervals exactly BUT walk at a comfortable pace during the walk sessions and on the run sessions pick up your walking pace to brisk instead of running. See how your body responds and when you have done 4,5 weeks like that restate the prog with a slightly faster walking pace n very brisk pace reevaluate n then get walking and jogging, you will find it really worth the effort but from someone who has picked up injuries doing too much too fast I strongly rec that you take your time train your body and enjoy the small changes that you make to your body! Good luck

This is a really great idea... slow is always the best way with running... the risks of taking it too quickly are many and you'll thank yourself later for doing it this way... good luck!

. My problem is I want to be able to do everything *now*!

It's a marathon not a sprint. As much as you want to do it all now you have to relearn to be healthy again.

Walk instead. Running is high impact, high intensity cardio. You need to get your heart fit enough to run. It's not just about weight - your heart needs to be stronger. Raise your heartrate slowly with walking/ power walking and gradually increase time and speed.

I used to be a 30 second runner - after 30 secs I thought my chest would explode. Now I'm on to training for a half marathon. After unsuccessful running, I did other things. I rode my bike, went to classes and never thought about running again.

Then a year or so later I wanted to run with my Mum - I tried it and to my surprise I was fine! Ok, not very far or for very long, but no heart attack! And I have never had an issue with it since. Take it slow.... don't hurt yourself!

Not really related to running, but a sign of hope....

When I started working out, I had to force myself to stay on the cross trainer for 5 minutes. I'd have to slowly go up a minute per workout, and each time it was hell.

Now? I can do a full hour and even change the resistance to be higher. Hang in there, you'll get it.

Baby steps. It all takes time.

You will be able to do it in time.

OK, so many here are saying, in effect, keep running but take it VERY VERY slowly -- which is fine if your goal is really to learn how to run. And that's entirely possible. But it is also putting you at the risk of injury.

But for a slightly different perspective, maybe you shouldn't be running just yet. Certainly, where you are right now, if you want to do it for calorie burn, you're vastly better off walking, cycling or using the elliptical, ie, employing a form of cardio where you're already fit enough for your body to output the required energy. For running, despite the effort you're feeling, you're very likely not even consuming that many calories because your body hasn't reached the performance level FOR THIS PARTICULAR EXERCISE yet.

Myself, I'd like to be able to run a mile, so I started with C25K just a few weeks ago, at 200 lbs. And I think I'm just hanging on to the lowest end of possibly making it work. But realistically, my exercise time is still not that well-spent on running. I decided not to make it a priority and to only integrate it in my workouts about once or twice a week. In a few months, I expect to have progressed in general fitness enough to see a difference, just as I'm already seeing a vast difference in my cycling (to work, mostly -- I'm a LOT faster these days than I used to be).

I find that many unfit people, myself included, have a hard time conceiving that others may be even more unfit than they are -- so the "encouraging" words of "hey, I could do it so you can" might on the one hand motivate you enough to achieve progress, but on the other may put you in the path of less efficiency with weight loss and even of injury. (Indeed, one of the reasons I'm not prioritizing running is the many anecdotal reports of injury I am seeing in the blogs and posts from substantially overweight but dedicated runners.)

This doesn't mean you shouldn't do it -- it's meant as some input for your consideration.

Let me just pipe in here. When a dear relative/friend died in 2004, I decided to put off dreaming about running a marathon and train for one. At first, I walked. Slowly, but consistently. Then, I jogged. Even if it was just for a few minutes. After I could run consistently for a while, I signed up for a 5K race. Yes, I walked part of it, but that didn't matter. I DID IT.

After doing several 5 & 10k jog/walks, I started training for a half marathon. I bought some great books. The one I used to train (I didn't go with a group or gym) was:
The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David Whitsett, Forrest Dolgener, and Tanjala Kole

After I ran my half, I was ADDICTED. I ran this first race at 165lbs. Yes, there were MANY skinny runners out there. SO WHAT?! I wasn't doing this for a sponsor or medal. I WANTED TO RUN FOR ME.

In 2008, I trained for 6 months to run the Walt Disney World Goofy Races (half marathon on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday). I DID IT. It was the most amazing experience. I accomplished something that most people would think is nuts. Know what? I don't care. I'm going to start training for the 2012 Goofy in July of this year.

So far, I've run countless 5/10Ks, 5 halves, and 3 marathons. My goal is to run 5 marathons and 20 halves before I am 50yo. That is 8 yrs from now.

Back to the topic: It doesn't matter your size. It doesn't matter how fast. If you can walk, you will learn to run. All it takes is believing in yourself. No one else will get you over that finish line. YOU have to be your own cheerleader. There are days when it will be freezing outside, or blisteringly hot. Those are the times when you have to work the hardest. Believe in yourself. All it takes is putting on your walking shoes and making that first step.

YOU CAN DO IT!
Shan