New to running ,advise please

Most folks will recommend C25K for a beginner because it's structured and incorporates proper rest days and increases intensity at a reasonable rate.

With that being said, if you decide to go at it on your own, make sure you only increase distance only by 10% per week. Much more than that and you will be increasing overuse injury risks.

Have you found the Couch to 5K plan yet? If not, I'd suggest looking it up. Starting to run can be daunting and fraught with chances for injury if not approached cautiously. The C25K plan is set up to get you running a 5K in about 9 weeks in a way that will minimize your chance of injury. The caveat is that you have to follow it exactly. No extra days of running because it seems easy or you're excited and keeping a slow, conversational pace rather than sprinting because "running means running fast" (it doesn't!) Avoid anything high impact on the days between running. If you still want to do something on the days between runs lift weights or pick a low impact activity like biking or swimming or even walking.

You say you can already run for 4-5 minutes. That's great but don't be fooled that you can simply pick up on the C25K program from that point. Your body needs time to adapt to the pounding that running gives your feet and leg joints. One day isn't a problem but after a few days in a row you'd be sidelined with some sort of pain. Trust me, I see it in here all of the time. The most common reason people get injured when they first start running is that they try to do too much too soon. Don't be a statistic!

At some point after the first couple of weeks, when you'll be walking more than running and it's not as important, go to a dedicated running store and get fitted for a pair of proper running shoes. If you've done that already, kudos! If you haven't, that old pair of trainers that were gathering dust in your closet are not a good substitute for running shoes that complement your running style and foot form. I learned that one the hard way myself. The right shoes instantly fixed the knee ache I'd been having and there were no more black toenails after that either.

Most of all, have fun!

Don't even worry about anyone who might be watching. Trust me, most people are probably thinking, "Good for him." and anyone who is being critical will be blown away by the progress you'll soon be making. When I started running, the most important decision I made was about my running shoes. If you haven't already, you should get fitted. Or you can do what I did. Go into a shoe store, and try on every pair of running shoes they have on and choose the ones that feel most like slippers. Haha, Ok, I know it sounds funny, but seriouly, the shoes I ended up starting with had so much cushion to them that I felt like I was walking on clouds. (Adidas Energy Boost 2) I needed cushy because when I started running I was 205 lbs. I'm 155 now. Starting with the right shoes will help prevent unnecessary aches and pains in your feet, knees, shins, calves, ankles, back...and possibly other places I can't think of right now. I know that wasn't your question but I could not run a decent distance in the wrong shoes, and in the past I never realized that my back pain could be fixed by something as simple as a new pair of shoes.

Congratulations on your weight loss, and welcome!

http://www.active.com/running/articles/running-shoe-guide-for-dummies

And to beat the horse a little more, TAKE IT SLOW. I've literally crippled myself by not following this advice. Sometimes it's frustrating, you may want to go harder and farther than you know is entirely good for you, but that's how you end up with a torn hip flexor and a knee the size of a cantaloupe (personally).

Now that I have been running for a while my new philosophy is "He who finishes without injury wins." Find good stretches before and after. Keeping the hamstring flexible is critical.

Pay attention to your pains. A little muscle burn is fine, but don't overstrain your ligaments! As my physiotherapist argued, I can slow down now and recover in three days, or muscle through and cost me six months in recovery.

That being said, running is therapeutic good for mind and body, provides a free endorphin boost, lets me eat more, lowers my heart rate and blood pressure, and has made me much more body aware.

The best sure fire way to maximize your results is to use a Heart Rate monitor, which will tell you if you need to work harder or if you need to slow down. I strongly recommend looking into hr training.

and if for some reason couch to 5k isn't for you there are many walk run programs out there.

1st thing I would do is change your id.... I run anywhere from 30 to 110kms per week depending.... and I would say this..... forget gps watches and all the gizmo's..... go run, if your need to walk...walk! then run some more.... but regardless of the weather..... go run..... enjoy the outside..... forget about times, splits, elevation and all the other nonesense.... Do what you can where you are with what you have.... Good luck and keep being awesome!

The best running shoes/gear are those that fit you and you are happy running in/with.... and trust me these attribute have very little to do with what the expensive shoe companies would have you know.... buy shoes on sale. :-)

And as for what other people think.... who cares?....

Sneakers are so important! make sure to go to a place where they will *kitten* your gait and guide you to the right shoes (and then go bargain hunting for them on the internet). They will save your joints from a world of pain! Also, break up running with muscle building exercises like squats and lunges to keep everything balanced.