C25K Success Stories Please?

The best part for me wasn't the weight loss. It was accomplishing something I never thought I could.

When I first started c25k, a few years ago, I didn't even care if I lost weight. I didn't think I would, because every past attempt at weight loss either failed or left me feeling like poop. I just wanted to be fit enough to run a 5k. To be honest, if I was just doing it for weight loss, I would have quit. But going from not being able to even run 2 minutes straight, then running a mile straight a few weeks later... that felt AMAZING. Then running two miles straight, then three, then being able to keep up with my very fit brother and niece in races... that made it all worth it.

The weight loss during that time was maybe 10 pounds. The confidence I got from becoming a runner kept me motivated to lose 35 pounds.

(Be sure to add some strength training, too. It does a body good.)

IMO, the magic of the C25k program isn't a dramatic body change at the end. It's getting your body to go from a 'non-runner' to a 'runner.' By the end of of the program you should be able to (fairly) easily run 30 minutes at a time. Once you have that base built, you'll find it's easier to add extra time and that you'll run faster as your body logs more miles.

Add a little strength training and the right diet and you'll start losing weight much faster.

Warning though, it can become addictive. Good luck! There is a lot of support on here from people who were in your shoes not that long ago....

I can't remember what I lost through C25K, although clearly that's more about achieving a deficit rather than the running per se. Each session will burn somewhere between 200 and 300 calories, so not a huge amount in the grand scheme of things.

I've lost about 4 stone over about 18 months of consciously trying to lose weight, but to answer the specific question, I finished C25K, then started working up to my current plan; marathon training.

I started MFP and C25K at the same time with 80 pounds to lose. My first week was AWFUL (couldn't run even the 60 second intervals) but I kept at it. My first 5k race happened to be at the 100 day mark of this journey. I ran/walked the 5k in just under 40 minutes and lost about 25 pounds during the 100 days. Agree that most of that weight was because of calorie deficit, but for the deficit was definitely increased because of the C25K program.

You can TOTALLY do this! Add me to your friends list if you like. I'm on here a lot and love to encourage

I was already off the couch, but I started C210k in January to help prep for my first 10k (I've done several 5k races already). I kinda wish I had done C25k several years ago - it would have made those 5k's easier, and got me more interested in running sooner!
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I did C25K In July/Aug of last year. Turned me into a runner. I have yet to actually run a race, but plan on it in the spring. I struggled with the 60 seconds at first and now my runs are 5 to 8 miles and I have run a sub 30 minute 5k. I was at 20+ miles per week and can't wait for the weather to fully cooperate so I can get back outside. I do run a track inside but it is a lot more difficult for me mentally. I'm down 35lbs since I started. I get a monster high from running.

I started C25K around September 2013 because I had started cycling and was told that I needed to add some impact exercise for bone strength and because a lot of my friends were runners and I was envious. lol Every day felt difficult, but I always felt accomplished at the end. I finished it, decided I enjoyed running, and moved on to C210K, hated that, and just decided to start training for a half marathon. I enjoy running in the mornings 3X per week and it is a regular part of my lifestyle.

I started c25k at the end of August 2014. It was also the time I started tracking calories here on MFP. My goal was to lose about 1 lb/week and, almost like magic, that's what happened. But I don't think I could have lost the weight without tracking calories. I also don't think I could have kept my intake at or under my caloric goal without the exercises — 43 years old at right under 5'3", my caloric allowance was pathetic

Just like what many others have said, the most joy came from seeing myself progress — from not being able to run more than a minute, to running 5k. It feels great after each run. My body also don't feel like a drag as it used to. I ran my first race last Thanksgiving and we spent the rest of the day at seaworld. My legs weren't sore like it used to after a day at a theme park!

My husband also started c25k a few weeks ago and we are registering to run together with our 2 boys in March.

Btw, my profile picture was taken appr. before and after c25k. About 4 inches lost at my waist, still work-in-progress... Now added body weight exercises to my weekly routine. Hope to see more transformation soon

Did the program and then ran a 5k, the Color Run. The end of the program was harder than the actual 5k. I did the program on treadmill.

I agree with so many of these posts. I did the C25K last year, struggled with the first week, but stubbornness and seeing myself progress really helped keep me going. I then carried on to do a 10k and now training for a half marathon. For me it wasn't really about the weight loss, but about finding an exercise routine that work and that I could stick to.

It cannot be said enough but take it slow, and repeat weeks as needed, but definitely give it a go!

When I first did C25K, my nutrition wasn't in line so I actually gained a few pounds. But when I started being more carefull and doing a bit of HIIT and occasionally swimming on top of running, I started droping pounds fast!
I weighed 195 lbs (5'1'', 27 yo) when I started in April and by mid-october I ran 8K non-stop. I'm now at 176 lbs.
Running is great and addictive. Make sure you read a few blogs about good form and other advices to avoid injuries.

I did a C25k in September of 2014 and ended on thanksgiving. I started at 213 and ended at 183.7lbs I'd say a decent almost 30lbs loss. I started 70lbs over weight though and counted calories pretty vigorously not having many 'cheat' days. I ate on average between 1500 and 1800 so I wasn't starving. My first 5k I was at 39:40....and to be honest I was thrilled it was under 40min! Haha I can now run a 5k in 33min. which I'm again thrilled at!

at 213lbs and unhappy if you couldn't tell


End of November right before my First 5k with my 2 boys 183.7lbs


beginning of December 2014 178.1lbs


Beginning of Jan 2015


I'm now at 169!! Holy cow, can't believe it myself. I'm in the first 3 weeks of now training for my first 10k. Now that I can actually run for more than 2 min without feeling like I'm dying I LOVE it. It's so hard but after you succeed every week it feels like such a giant accomplishment. I can't get over what a success I feel like after I run 3 or 4 miles....I loved learning how to run, how to breath...and how much it's changed my body. It's a beautiful thing when your mind realizes what your body can do. Good luck to you!

dyemysoul wrote: »

I'm now at 169!! Holy cow, can't believe it myself. I'm in the first 3 weeks of now training for my first 10k. Now that I can actually run for more than 2 min without feeling like I'm dying I LOVE it. It's so hard but after you succeed every week it feels like such a giant accomplishment. I can't get over what a success I feel like after I run 3 or 4 miles....I loved learning how to run, how to breath...and how much it's changed my body. It's a beautiful thing when your mind realizes what your body can do. Good luck to you!

That's what it's all about! C25k helps your mind realize what your body can do! I started c25k in April 2013 to help me change things up a bit to get past a plateau. I literally couldn't run 30 seconds without feeling like I was going to die! Today I ran 6 miles without stopping (and could have gone further). I have run numerous 5k's and several 10k's and am currently training for my first half marathon. I used to HATE running. I like to run now.

The C25k group is great for support, success stories, etc: Couch to 5k Group