57 Years Old...Overweight & Wants To Become A Runner

Boyd911
Boyd911 Posts: 3
edited September 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hello Virtual Friends -

I have fought weight for years ... have won the battles but to see it just come right back on again. Of course these fights have been with the help of just about every diet program created so I'm going back to something I learned with I was 20 .. you can eat what you want, just don't eat more than 1200 calories. Well we all know that healthy eating is the key so when I found MFP I was delighted to see how amazing the program was and how easy it was going to be to track my intake.

I also have a goal of running a 5K and when I started training 4 weeks ago the realization hit me like a brick wall ... my knees hurt ... i was winded ... and I was overweight. So I'm looking for anyone who may have decided to become a runner at the young age of 57 and trying to get the extra pounds off at the same time. So far no weight loss for me and still trying to beat the running beast that's holding me back from making my goals.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Boyd911

Replies

  • fredd500
    fredd500 Posts: 106 Member
    Have you heard of the C25K programme? www.coolrunning.com. It is designed to ease you into running with the ultimate goal of running a 5K non stop.
  • volfan22
    volfan22 Posts: 149 Member
    Have you tried the "Couch Potato to 5K" program? My friend and her husband are doing it and I have seen success with it. She suffered from shin splints after start (bad shoes) but she's back at it now and on week 3. I don't know about 57 - but I'm doing it at 44 - and yes, the body ain't what it used to be. Keep trying - just remember you're not 20 - and it will take you a little longer to get there - but it IS possible!

    ~Cheers
  • Leanz
    Leanz Posts: 1,971 Member
    I am 59 - losing weight and on week 6 of the C25K programme! Thant means I ran non-stop for 20 minutes on Saturday! And 5 weeks ago running 1 minute nearly killed me :)

    Good luck
  • volfan22
    volfan22 Posts: 149 Member
    Have you heard of the C25K programme? www.coolrunning.com. It is designed to ease you into running with the ultimate goal of running a 5K non stop.

    LOL - Great minds!!
  • jrich1
    jrich1 Posts: 2,408 Member
    I would also invest in a really good pair of running shoes!
  • gatorflyer
    gatorflyer Posts: 536 Member
    Start walking, and work yourself up to several miles to ease your knees into it. After you start getitng some consistent distances of say, 3 miles, start adding a little jogging into it. Then I would start the Couch potato to 5K program.
  • FatUncleRob
    FatUncleRob Posts: 341
    I'd recommend lots of walking to start with. It helped me to increase my fitness without so much knee pain. Once I could walk 2 or 3 miles at a decent pace, without getting winded or sore, I started running. I'm still "a work in progress" but I'm running now and enjoying it.

    I wish you the best of luck! :happy:
  • Lindsayrob
    Lindsayrob Posts: 247 Member
    I'm another fan of C25K - it's a great programme. It's designed to be used over 9 weeks, but there is nothing to stop you repeating a week if and when you need to.
    You'll find plenty of people on here doing it, so you'll have a team of virtual running buddies! I'm in week 9, and now running for half an hour, and my husband, who is overweight and in his 50s, is doing it with me.
    Feel free to add me as a friend if you want any more support!
  • outersoul
    outersoul Posts: 711
    I'm not 57, I'm 38 and I was in the same boat. I was and still am carrying a lot of extra weight when I decided to start running. Granted I'm 30lbs lighter from when I started running. I decided in January that I was going to lose weight and I was going to challenge myself and run a 5k.

    So I downloaded an app for my phone called C25k or 'Couch 2 5k.' It's a training program designed for people who have never really run before. It starts you out slowly with a short run and then a walk. It's a 9 week program and as the weeks go by the run intervals get longer and the walking intervals shorter. You run 3 days a week.

    I ran my first 5k on May 1st and absolutely loved it! I ran another 5k on May 30th and did even better than the first time. I have my third 5k this weekend and I am absolutely hooked!

    If I can offer any advice, I would say invest in GOOD running shoes. It really makes a difference. When I say GOOD running shoes, I mean go to a running store...not a store in a mall or some big box store. Find your local running store and get fitted and tested for the right shoe for you. It may cost a good chunk of change but it's really important. At worse, get fitted and search online for the shoe at a cheaper price.

    Also, if you decide to do C25k, feel free to repeat days/weeks. Not everyone can get through each week. I repeated a week or two along the way. Do it at your own pace.

    Good luck!
  • Lindsayrob
    Lindsayrob Posts: 247 Member
    Oh and as well as investing in a good pair of shoes, invest in a good running bra!
  • Boyd911
    Boyd911 Posts: 3
    I can't thank you all enough for the quick replies to post ... the C25K is a great program and is kicking my behind right now - that 9 week program may take 18 at the rate I'm going. I also appreciate the shoe insight.. right now I don't have a really good pair of shoes and when I can get into the city to a running store I will certainly be investing in a good pair and that bar too ! LOL
  • Boyd911
    Boyd911 Posts: 3
    Thank you for the insight and congratulations on that weight loss !
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