Am i too heavy to start running?

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Replies

  • ema727
    ema727 Posts: 18 Member
    I started running a little over a year ago at almost 250lbs. I tried the couch to 5k program and did not really care for it. I became frustrated with the fact that I could not run a 5k in 30 minutes. I joined a running class which uses the Galloway method. It is also a run/walk program but you run/walk your entire distance. I ran my first half marathon in March of this year and ran another one in October and improved my time by over 13 minutes. Just Google Jeff Galloway, he is an Olympian marathoner and continues to run/walk marathons today and I believe he is 60s or 70s now.
  • Erica_theRedhead
    Erica_theRedhead Posts: 724 Member
    If you can do it, running is the best way to get the pounds off in my opinion. It takes a lot of energy to move a 200-something pound person for an extended period of time. Just be careful when starting. Make sure to go slower than you think you need to, and you can always increase speed as you progress. Don't get too spent by trying to run too fast at first. Also be wary of any pain that you feel (joints, lungs, chest pain etc.) I started when I was 280, but developed patellar tendonitis becuase I pushed it too much at the beginning. Good luck!
  • conchita962
    conchita962 Posts: 327 Member
    I think watching this might answer your question. This is amazing!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtq1OkbD1VU&feature=related
  • pomegranatesquash
    pomegranatesquash Posts: 3 Member
    Oh My! Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question. Im in awe of everyone who has started running at a "heavyer" weight than normal, very proud.

    Im going to make a doctors appointment right now (just to get checked out), i already have specialist shoes as i started to walk massive miles earlier in the year (managed around 6/8 miles in one sitting lol)

    I cannot wait to get out there. Will keep everyone posted and join that club for support. Thank you again

    Nessy x
  • sarscott
    sarscott Posts: 189 Member
    I started at 320 and am currently 304 and in week 3 of c25k and it actually feels good. I definitely"run"ally slower than most though, but I've got to start somewhere.
  • ooOOooGravy
    ooOOooGravy Posts: 476 Member
    I was 260lbs when i started C25K back in July, i completed C25K and now run 4 days a week... i LOVE running, i now weigh 222lbs and still losing :) Best of luck on your decision
  • Ant_M76
    Ant_M76 Posts: 534 Member
    Good thread. Infact it inspired me to purchase a pair of Asics trainers during my lunch break :p
    Think I might have to try C25K!
  • iuangina
    iuangina Posts: 691 Member
    I started running at 336 lbs. It hurt like hell, but it got easier over time. The shoes are super important. I would also suggest starting on a treadmill because it's a little more forgiving on the joints. You kinda bounce on it instead of hitting the hard concrete.
  • AJDistel
    AJDistel Posts: 93
    I started at 245... it was hard at first, but I wanted to complete it so bad, that I kept going. It will be a challenge, but it will be so worth it. I just did my first 5k the beginning of this month and it was an amazing feeling. I wasn't first, I wasn't last, and most people would consider my run a "fast walk" but I don't care. I'm moving faster than people on the couch and that's perfectly fine with me. Good luck and take your time. It will get easier the more you stick with it.
  • AshinAms
    AshinAms Posts: 283 Member
    I started running at around 300 pounds, and just ran for as long as I could, slowly, then walked. I got up to a 5k in 35 minutes then had a car accident and stopped training. I am currently around 220 lb.

    I am building up again now and I set the treadmill to a very slow jog (6.5 km/hour) which I can also walk if I want to.. I use a heart rate monitor to keep my HR within the correct limits (not all the way at my max) because I find that if I'm struggling the HR tells me first before my ankles and knees start to signal that it's time to stop. I keep the time that I train constant (31 minutes) and only increase the speed very slowly - ie. over weeks & months rather than days. The fastest I run now is 8.5 and only for very short intervals.

    Your doctor will probably not know/not care (in my experience) so take care to listen to your body, get a good pair of shoes, some good socks, a pair of compression tights (if you are big in the behind like I am) and most of all, try to enjoy it!
  • AbiCusPeck
    AbiCusPeck Posts: 96 Member
    Hi,

    Im hoping someone can help me, as i seem to be getting alot of mixed reviews on this. I would like to start taking up running, im thinking the couch to 5k would be a good start and I currently weigh 265 pounds.

    Am i too heavy to start running? Should i wait till i have lost more weight?

    I do exercise almost every day, in either the form of walking and cycling, with cycling being my main exercise.

    Hope someone can help

    Nessy x

    I haven't even read the first response to this and I know it was a while ago, but I'm a) thinking its great that there's someone like me... wanting to run and overweight and also has cycling (mine being spinning) as a favourite... and b) interested in how you got on...!

    Will now go and read through the rest of the posts and probably realise that I didn't need to write this, lol :)
  • AbiCusPeck
    AbiCusPeck Posts: 96 Member
    I was a round mound of 262, and yes, I started running.

    Well, it was running to me. Most people crawl faster, but no worry; I was out and doing the best I could.
    Sometimes I'd run to the end of the street, then one driveway past, then another, and before long?

    ONE MILE!

    It was not long before I was running 2, then 3 and I stopped increasing after 4 miles. I lost 64 lbs so far, and do various other forms of cardio, but I still do my runs a few times each week.

    Go slow, and do not be too proud to stop for a walk if your body says stop.
    Make sure you get a complete physical and talk to your doc before starting.

    This is really motivating! I did day 1 week 1 yesterday and doing my normal spin and sculpt today - fingers crossed I kick butt with day 2 of week 1 tomorrow :)
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