C25K How much did you weigh?

I was 290lbs the first time I started...

I'm now 252 and run often.. Running clears my head... and it's conditioned my heart quite a bit... just a month ago I was burning 500 calories during my run, and a now I'm burning 250-270 calories..

Hubby was over 350 and I was over 260 when we started back in January. If you can run on a treadmill it is easier on the knees than on pavement.

I was over 230 when I first started. It's been a slow road, but I did Week 9 Day 1 today, so it's possible. Like others have said- SHOES!!! I did the first 3 weeks in my normal sneakers and my shins were hurting bad! Then I got my running shoes- no problems.

Just take it at your own pace and listen to your body. You can repeat days/weeks if you feel its necessary too. I understand about wanting to wait, but my 1 regret about the program is that I didn't start it sooner. I have ankle issues (2 bad sprains including 1 that just never quite healed right), and was leery about it. But I just decided to give it a go and see what happens. So glad I did!

I was just out of my 170's. I am 42 and have not had knee or any other issues. I now run 2 -3 5Ks a week with no problems. Just listen to your body and rest when it tells you too! I'm hoping to be in the 140's at my weigh in next month!

340 lbs for me, I'm at 288 now. I started walking at 2 miles an hour and could only last 30 minutes. I kept at it and kept pushing myself. Now I can comfortably push myself and do 3.2-3.5 miles an hour and have completed my first 5k in just under an hour! I'm still on week one of the C25k program because I cannot complete the running yet, I'm still trying 3 days a week and the other 3 days I just walk on a tread mill. I love the fact that I feel my muscles getting sore, it means I'm doing something. Each week I do something differnt from walking at a 10 incline for 10 minutes to jogging at a 5 mph rate for a minute at a time. I figure by the end of the year I'll be running a 5k in under 30 minutes!

The point is, keep moving! Find something that motivates you and keeps you moving! No matter how slow you go you're still lapping everyone on the couch!!

Ladies, I HIGHLY recommend seeking a proper fitting of shoes. Any problem with supponation, or pronation can throw your knees and hips out of whack. Also remember that you are using muscles that haven't been stressed in a while and that will make your joints hurt until they are strong enough to keep them aligned correctly. Add some strength training, it will help with the pain. I've been a runner since I was 12, off and on due to injury, babies, etc....my knees where killing me when first starting back and then I sought out proper footwear for my issues, and added strength training. What a difference it makes! FYI I'm 154 now at 5'3". FYI when seeking a proper fitting, don't go to the mall or a random sports store, they typically are hired help that do not know the difference between pronation/supponation etc. Find a specialty footwear store that specializes in sports shoes, I warn you, a good fitting pair of running shoes will cost you roughly $120, but I swear it's worth it. You have the rest of your life to stand and walk on your feet and knees, YOU are worth it. Your feet are like protecting your head when biking!

I completely agree with this. My feet overpronates so I had to seek out footwear that will stabilize them as I pound the pavement. This is my 2nd time doing C25K (stopped at week 6 last time), I will be running my first 5K June 24, 2012 and so looking forward to it.

Not just the shoes!!! You need to do the proper stretches before and after! Active.com and coolrunning.com have a TON of great tips on injury prevention - and stretching.

I was 248# when I started - am half way through week 2 now and am at 242#. Don't concentrate on how far you go, concentrate on breathing and good form....speed/distance will come naturally! Five days into the program and I'm already covering way more ground than I did on Day 1, and my speed has improved already by a minute a mile.

Good luck and listen to your body!!!

I started C25K in January and I weighed 307 at the time.

I'm in the middle of week 4 of B210K (13 weeks into running). I've completed to 5K races, and my long run on Saturday was 6 miles!

I have my first 10K race coming up in another month or so and I am signed up for two Half Marathons.

I'm down to 271 as of this morning.

Running has changed my life (along with MFP).

Here's the thing... I NEVER thought I could run because of my weight, knee problems and heel spurs that give me plantar fasciitis.

For me the key was "barefoot" or minimalist running. Instead of the highly cushioned, very supportive running shoes that most people wear, I wear minimalist shoes that offer almost no support and very little cushioning. They make you run with a form that causes you to land on the mid-foot or balls of the feet instead of the heel. For me that was the key.

I wear either Vibram FiveFingers or New Balance Minimus Zeros.

This is not for everybody, but the best time to give it a try is if you are not a runner as you are supposed to slowly transition to this type of running to build up the muscle and tendon strength in your feet - that's what takes the shock instead of your heels or joints.

Ted

I also got a good pair of trainers - as a physio student I'm aware that I supinate and got the correct trainers, £45 (sale price), made a huge difference but as I already had a knee problem they were never going to fix it. Just be aware of what you can take, or get some physio advice if you're unsure.