Can you be too heavy to Jog?

perhaps you just need to start out slowly, maybe by walking...then as you feel stronger, go a little faster walking and gradually work your way up to jogging slowly and then running?

I started jogging at 275,but it was a walk- jog. I also had a dislocated my knee 3 months before I had started. Nor was I a person that even could run a mile in grade or high school.
I set small goals and 5 months later I jogged the Chicago 5k Monster Dash, weighing 221 lbs. I jogged it nonstop with a time of 45 minutes. It was slow, but it proved myself, that if one puts their mind to it, they can do whatever they desire.

Set small goals, I am sure you'll fall in love with it. I did and now, I can jog 7 miles (slowly after my heart attack, not related).

Good luck and have fun... and listen to your body!

Definitely consult with a doctor first. A guy I used to work with was about 100 pounds overweight and he started running. He was 47 years old. While jogging, he had a massive heart attack and was dead before he hit the pavement.

WOW! That's just awful!

Definitely consult with a doctor first.

YES! Do that too!!

I was about that weight when I started running. I did a half-marathon last month, mostly walking, but doing running intervals, too.

If you want to avoid injury, get some good shoes, watch your form, and do some strength training for your legs so your knees are supported properly.

I would say "Beware". What you do today will affect you tomorrow, years down the road, even if you feel find in the moment. One extra lb. of weight puts 4-8 lbs of stress on your knees. So multiply your weight by a minimum of 4 or 5, and thats the load your knees are taking, just walking! Now, include the extra pounding by jogging, and running and that ups the ante quite significantly. Do you want to put that on your knees? You may achieve quicker gains in the present, but may suffer significant losses in the future with osteoarthritis.

I gained 40 lbs within 6 months and it was a shock to my body, and I still have many issues, especially the knees and feet. I went from 133 to 152 and then in a matter of months jumped to 192. I was fortunate because though I was experiencing some knee problems and dealing with a torn meniscus, x-rays showed no arthritis because I never ran on pavement and exercised all my life so had good muscle tone around my knees. I am 57 years old. But still the weight has caused havoc on my system.

However, I went to the sports doctor and he said every person is different; some can handle more stress and wear on their joints than others. So as others are suggesting, at the very least listen to your body. Then check out your parents constitution, are they predisposed to arthritis? If you can clear yourself from these concerns and still be gentle on your body, go for it! I know people that got into running and it changed their entire mindset. Good luck to you!

When I started to run I was exactly 268lbs. I've been doing it for 3 years and I'm fine. I'm not very fast, but I'm fine

It can definitely be done. That being said, when I started running again after I had my second child, I felt like my whole body was put together wrong... my hips were loose and didn't move the same way they used to, my knees and ankles felt weak, and most of all the fat on my body was just jumping and jiggling so much that it was actually painful. I only ran 0.6 miles before I quit and I started walking instead. I shed about 10 pounds before I started jogging again and by then, my joints felt stronger and I wasn't jiggling as much.

So yeah, you could do it, but for me it was just too uncomfortable. I needed to lose a few pounds first.

I weighed 220 pounds and did the couch potato to a 5 k I just took it slow and built up to it. actually the speed walking I lost more weight than those who ran. scored a better time too.

I started C25K at 295 pounds, but I had also already lost 50 pounds at that point. I waited until I felt ready, and then took it slow - didn't want to push too hard and risk injury. It doesn't so much matter your current weight as your level of activity - you can be "average" weight and still struggle with running if you're entirely new to working out. If you're bigger but very active, it should be fairly do-able. If you're very concerned, ask a doctor or running specialist at a local running store!

I do think that sometimes extra weight can put a lot of strain on your knees, hips, ankles if you try to do too much impact. Also, I often have had people tell me how much better their bad knees feel when they're at the right weight. But, if you've done the first two weeks and feel good and you're enjoying it, then keep at it. Just listen to your body and stay on a week for two to three weeks if necessary to let your body adjust. The respondent who suggested running in the pool seems to have a good idea, too!

I think it is not a question of can you be to heavy to run as much as it is should you run when you are 'that heavy'.

I have several friends who are running weighing in at 250 lbs and continue to do so. But the question is should they? I would say no!!! The reason for saying you should not run weighing " that much" it is the damage you do to their knee and hip joints as well as the stress you put on their ligaments - not to forget - the injuries you may cause. You may not feel the damage now, but down the road as you age - you may regret you started running.

Clearly the elliptical trainer is a great tool for people who are looking for the alternative to running. It is a non-impact training and give you just as good of a cardio. I realize the limitation is that you are 'confined' to the gym or where ever the elliptical trainer is located.

Now if you start on the elliptical - and when you get down to ... I think most people say 220 lbs (although that is an individual thing)- then you can liberate yourself from the indoor elliptical to the outdoor running or a treadmill .. what ever you are more comfortable with.

You may want to talk with your health care provider to see what he/she says.

Make sure you 1. invest in a pair of good running shoes (get fitted) 2. work on your core strength - it really helps your running.

Simple answer - Run. Run fast, run slow, run short, run long. Just run. Do get yourself checked out by a doctor but as long as she/he clears you for exercise go and run.

I just took up running last year. I could barely run 100 yards when I started and now a bad day of running is when I can only manage 5k. (3.1 miles)

I'd also suggest adding dailymile.com for tracking your mileage, if you aren't already using it. Great community there, too!

C25K is an awesome program, BTW!