C25K advice

First of all great work on the weight loss, you look great. Ok, you have the running trainers and where you are going... all i would suggest is just something to time yourself. I started C25K back in July and did it with only a simple watch; just to know how long my runs and jog were. I used that watch all way through my C25K and it worked brilliant! You can get pod casts and things for a smart phone if you have one, which remind you when to run and walk, but i hear the music can be fairly .... crap! lol Its very rare i run with music on at all, as i prefer to listen to the streets, the people and things going off around me. But thats just me lol Everyone is different and some people find it boring to run with no music on, just mix it up and see what works for you.

I hear woman say get a good sport bar too??? i would know about such things, lol but you may have one already anyway.

Your diet seems good to me, simular to mine i guess, quite high Carbs. I would suggest no food at least an hour before running, 2 would be better. I almost keel over if i havent had at least 2 hours after eating, and i try to have low fiber and fat before a run too, seems to make a difference to me.

btw i completed C25K and now training for a half marathon, and up to 8 mile runs now. It deffinately works if you put the effort it!

Be wared you will get addicted! Have fun with it, and happy running.

Please feel free to add me for support

I got a Garmin GPS watch/heart rate monitor. It tells me how long I've run and how far.

yeh i have a smart phone and i found a free app that lets me play my own music and also lets me know when to switch between running/walking so i'll be able to keep track.

i tried to get a sports bra but for what they cost i don't think its worth it.

any more advice would be hugely appreciated!!

I have a very small chest and I tried doing c25k not wearing a sports bra.....BIG mistake! The next day, not only did my chest hurt, but I couldn't lift my arms above my shoulders, so my advice is a good sports bra is defo worth it!

Hi I live in UK. Sports Direct, I got a bra for about £8, it was reduced from about £30 I think. They always have deals like that in there and they have a website too. I have just done Day 3 of the first week, feel free to add me. I am bang on the same height and weight as you, so we could compare notes! Though sadly I can't fit into a size 10 which just goes to show everyone's different! I definitely do needs a sports bra so maybe that's why :-} I want to lose somewhere between 7 and 10 pounds, not sure of the right weight for me anymore, I will know when I get there! Two babies and 8 years older since I was last a size 10, it's a different starting point for me!!

I know this may sound counter-intuitive, but make sure 55-60% of your diet is carbs.. multigrain, slow burning carbs. You'll need them to fuel your runs, and running will burn down that belly fat in a hurry. I began my journey here with c25k as well, a little over a year ago I couldn't run at all.. then I could run 60 seconds.. then 90.. and within a year of beginning, I ran a half marathon with a finishing time of 2:30. My stomach is the flattest it's been my entire life.

ooo question actually, how fast does everyone run? I'm starting at the gym because of nasty weather and i've got it set to 10.5kph

i'm in the C25k, and my BEST advice is hydration and potassium and protein. I eat bananas and celery at least an hour before a run, and keep up with adequate hydration to prevent dehydration cramps. best of luck!

I did C2 5K last year- starting in March- and have run in 3 races since! I think it's a great program. I repeated a few of the workouts from time to time since I really didn't feel particularly ready to move on.

As for speed (that someone asked) I remind myself on a regular basis that no matter how fast you're going, you're lapping everyone on the couch :-)

Ok, I am just going to throw this out there, but running isn't really great for toning. C25K is great, I did it last year, and running is a nice caloric burn, but you probably want to work in some strength training. Sounds like you might want to look at our group-not that heavy girls. We have compiled lots of resouces about losing the last 10 pounds and toning up.
I am doing the Jamie Eason live-fit trainer-it's free and after phase 1, there's 30 minutes of cardio three times per week, which is great to do the C25K.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer.html
msg me if you want an invite to the group, or can't find it!

SHOES!
Spend a little money getting some shoes, properly fitted, and from a place that can do a bit of a gait analysis on you.
The smart phone app is the best way to go, and you can customize your music list on most of them. I use the "EASE INTO 5K" app.
I have never run in my life, and this is turning me into a addicted runner, and I'm 57 years old.
Good luck to you, I don't think you will regret it!

Week 7 just finished and I have NEVER enjoyed any kind of physical activity more in my life. I have always been moderately active, but the changes I have seen in my body, will, spirit with this program, all I can say is that I am madly in love with running now. ITs a fantastic program. I love that it eases you into it. Best of luck and the one piece of advice I can offer (in my case) I may get yelled at about this. Sometimes it will hurt....as long as you listen to your body and know what is discomfort because you aren't used to it versus real pain. I had knee problems from lack of strength in my legs the first few weeks...added in strength training into my routine and checked with the doctor...at this point it doesn't seem to be an issue. Don't quit the program if you find yourself having discomfort, research it and evaluate it.

I am registed to run my first 5k (I've only walked them in the past) in Feb, signing up for an 8k in April, 10k in August, and half marathon in November. So yes...its addicting.

As for speed (that someone asked) I remind myself on a regular basis that no matter how fast you're going, you're lapping everyone on the couch :-)

That gave me a :laugh: moment, right there! I run on a treadmill, usually around 6.3, so not very fast. I may decide I want to increase speed later to burn more calories, but for now.... I just kind of coast. I'm getting back into C25k after taking some medical time off, & I couldn't run 5 straight minutes yesterday! It was REALLY sad.

Thanks for the advice, whoever posted about eating 1-2hours before running. My biggest problem yesterday was DIZZINESS. I think that might have something to do with when I ate, & what. I'm going to try eating a multigrain bagel with peanut butter today before going running. Yesterday it was yogurt, granola & fruit. I'll see if that makes a difference. Thanks! :bigsmile:

I'm actually doing Couch to 5K right now! I eat lots of carbs and protein (I read that carbs help with running). Eat about an hour before you run. Listening to upbeat music with good lyrics makes running MUCH more enjoyable. Have fun!