Running at over 200 pounds in weight?

<<< Runs 4-6 miles 4-5 days a week.

210 lbs as of this morning.

213 pounds this morning, and training for my second half marathon! Nobody told me I shouldn't be running.

I was running at about 225. Was a HUGE help in losing the weight the first time. Didn't bother my knee at all even after having knee surgery the year before.

This probably varies quite a bit person by person due to health, age, gender, etc. The health of someone "over 200 lbs in weight" would be quite different between me (6' 4" man) and my wife (5' 5" woman). I should be about 200-210, she should not be.

I started running at 285lbs (which did make my ankles and knees sore) but I was only 30, tall, had always been active, and was a high school athlete so my body was used to movement and impact.

If I wasn't used to impact or was older it would have been a bad idea. I'd start with daily brisk walks, control the calories, and start jogging once I felt 'light on my feet'.

I've never heard that someone over 200 lbs shouldn't run, just make sure you don't over do it. I weight 246 and I run frequently, I just try not to run every single day for long periods of times because my legs get tired.

If you're worried about joins, consider checking out the elliptical, I personally love them and get the best calorie burn bang for my buck.

I started running around 250 lbs. I'm at 220 lbs now, and run up to 10 miles at a stretch with no issues.

I doubt that there is a hard and fast rule for this and that it depends on how active you have been. For example, many football players are way over 200 pounds. If you have been walking enough so that walking is not much of an exercise you might start the C25K program and listen to your knees. I'm doing one after not running/jogging for a couple of decades. I generally find that the day after a C25K session my knees are sore but two days later they are back to normal. While I weigh less than you I am nearly 64 y.o. You may find that you need to slow the C25K program down and repeat days or weeks while you build up. Do what is comfortable but that gives you the challenge you need and be sure to get some quality shoes before you start. Go to a good running store and have someone there give you some advice and recommend a shoe that will give you the support you need to get started.

Was over 200 when I started running. I took extra care to be good to my body after running and sooner or later it got easier. I say go with what it comfortable to you. Start with intervals of walking and running and go from there.

I started running at 230lbs and have not had any issues in the passed three years running at or around that weight. I would concentrate on form (as you should running at any weight) and listen to your body and what it's telling you. Make sure you have good running shoes and change them out every 3-6 months (approx 300km) to help minimize injuries. Way to go on the jogging! I do hope you keep it up!

I started running at 330. It's doable. Start on some strength exercises for your legs, too, if you can. It will help.

Also note that your knees or ankles may be sore for a while after you run, but that it will get better over time and shouldn't last more than a day. If they are sore before you run on non-consecutive days (which is how I think C25K works), get to a running store, if you can, for a gait analysis and the right shoes. For the soreness: ibuprofen!

considering that soldiers often have to PT while carrying/wearing 80+ pounds in gear/body armor/etc....and obviously the "average" military member would be > 120 lbs bodyweight...

there are very small/light people who can't run due to joint pain & there are people who are 200+ pounds bodyweight who it doesn't bother one bit.

give it a try; just start slow (low mileage) and see if it bothers you or not.

also worth making sure you're wearing shoes that are very supportive/properly fit.

just my $0.02

I just started running again after being unable to for months for various reasons. Add a 40 pound weight gain on top of that and I am running at over 200 lbs. It is harder but it is definitely doable.

My advice, from personal experience. Start SLOW. The first thing I did was commit to walking 20 minutes per day, every day, rain or shine. I use Map My Run and when I saw that I was going further in that 20 minutes, I started running part of it. I continued from there. Couch to 5 K is a great program but if you feel like it is ramping you up too quickly, take it slow. A big part of running is patience. It is easy to not only get injured, but even worse get discouraged and quit, when you try to go too fast and/or too far.

Good luck! Would love to keep up with your progress if you want to add me!

Been running a long time, and when I was 315, it was very stressfull on my knees until I found a really good pair of sneakers, and I made sure to take osteo-biflex everyday.