Tips for beginner/overweight joggers

I started running at 285 so don't worry about that, as long as your shoes are the right kind for your pronation and you take it gently to start with it's a great way to get in shape. I'm 250 now and doing a 10k on Sunday.

This is a great way to get started slowly...
http://www.c25k.com/

Look into the Couch to 5k... you can google it. I've NEVER been able to run, and I love this! You start out slow and work yourself up, but sounds like your on the right track!

You might find a couch to 5 k program helpful - you can find them to download on itunes or they can be downloaded to your smartphone.

I hear great things about the Couch to 5K program. There are lots of them out there.

Get a good pair of shoes, it makes a huge difference.

You're off to a good start. I started jogging at a heavy weight as well. Make sure you have no underlying physical reasons not to jog. Have a physical and make sure your doctor says to go for it. Then you may want to google "couch to 5k". This is a great training program that got me in shape for my first 5k run.

For heavier runners the surface you are on does matter. Grass, dirt, track, in that order of preference. This will minimize the impact on your joints. If you must run on the street, asphalt is better than concrete. Some soreness is to be expected, but you shouldn't have pain.

Good luck! I would love to hear how your progress goes!!!

i was jogging at 325 lbs; I jog in place alot, i started at being able to do 1 minute at a time, several times a day, and now i can get up to 5 minutes at a time several times a day; i havent been training to run, just enjoy jogging in place because i can do it at home, at work, anywhere, during commercials on tv, while the microwave is counting down, in front of a clock with a second hand, etc. If I were to have been training everyday for it I know i could probably jog 15minutes straight, at least, cuz i did it before and after a week i was up to 8minutes straight.

I echo everything said about C25k. I will start on the Week 2 running tomorrow - I have done the Week 1 jogs for 7 days in total. The feeling of success to achieve the 8 mins of jogging the first time is difficult to describe.

Go for it!

Hey Welcome to Running! its an awesome sport and great cardio workout. If you take the time and do it right, it can provide some awesome benefits (Ok... I admit, I am biased) Let me give you a few tips... I was over 320 when I started and now run 40-50 Km per week.

1. Listen to your body and be careful not to overdo it. Pain is an early warning system that shouldn't be ignored.
2. C25K is an excellent start, but why not look into a Learn to Run Clinic put on by a local running store. Easier to run in a group, its scheduled, you have a trained coach to gleam knowledge from and the peer support is usually fantastic.
3. Never exceed your previous weeks run by more than 10%. If you run 10 miles this week, you should limit yourself to 11 miles next week. It helps prevent injuries.
4. Baby steps... remember that people who run and complete full marathons have been doing this for a very long time. Don't get frustrated by slow progress. Instead marvel at your successes.
5. Enjoy the ride and make some friends. It is easier to keep going when you have someone helping to motivate you.
6. Hydrate... constantly. Your body will thank you. Running can be an intensive activity. The average runner loses between 500 and 1500 ml of sweat per hour.
7. Avoid cotton. Cotton acts as a sponge and can be hard on the skin. It can lead to chafing and blisters. Look for clothes made of "Tech Materials" . Common names include Coolmotion, Dry Fit, etc. These are breathable materials that dry quickly and wick moisture from the body. You don't want blistered nipples... trust me. You just don't.
8. Replace your shoes every 300 miles. Shoes break down quickly and are easier to replace than shins/ankles/feet etc. When you run, you are applying several times your body weight per square inch in impact to your shoes. This happens up to a couple thousand times a mile. Don't cheap out on shoes, your feet will thank you.
9. For safety's sake, Carry a minimum of three things with you... Identification, Cell phone and Cab Fare. Because you just never know... Also ensure that someone knows where you will be running and approximately when you will be back.
10. Running is like building a house... it has a foundation, walls and a roof. Speed is the roof and the last thing you'll tack on. Endurance if the foundation. Work on the foundation first.

I'm sure I'll think of a few more... but work calls.

Good Luck!

You have all inspired me . I need to check out c25k now. I tried jogging several years ago, ended up with a stress fracture in my left shin and on crutches for 6 weeks. Just decided then that fat girls should not jog. So excited to see what this entails. Thanks

Just take it slow and wear the right footwear. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day!

Bump!!!!!

Bump

started @ 400+ lbs. everyones got it covered. C25K is a great program. don't worry about pace just work on endurance. as I build up my endurance I added in speed afterwards. I still am slow but I can go alot further now w/o walk breaks than I could in the past.

filter out all the "OMG C25K" answers, and you'll find some good advice.

for the record, i have nothing against the program, it's just not the only answer here.