I can't run

Are you going too fast too quickly? That was my main problem. Plus I panic :weirdo: This time round instead of getting hung up on speed I'm keeping that low and building up the time running a bit at a time - I've just gone from jogging 1 minute/walking 1minute to jogging 90seconds/walking 1minute. I did the first one this morning. It was hard but it'll get easier

then don't run

no need to run to lose weight

Nothing's "wrong" with you, it's high impact exercise, and one you need to build up to. The good news is your endurance will improve just as quickly as your body once you get rolling.

Here's what u need (from a former fellow non-runner)
1. A plan. Try to run for 30 seconds then walk for 3 minutes. Do that for 30 minutes. Do that 3-4 times a week for the first week or so. When that gets easy, change something: run for a minute, or shorten the walks to 2 minutes. Keep that pattern until that seems to get easier...then change something again, run faster, or run longer or shorten the recovery walks, or increase the total time. It will get better fast. Remember it's more important to avoid injury and make it somewhat pleasant so you're willing to go out again another day.

2. Good music makes a HUGE difference
3. Find a mantra...mine is a bible verse, but any positive thought that you can meditate on when you run is fine
4. Make a point of smiling at the people you come across on your runs, it will keep you in a better mood.. Which makes running easier

Finally, drop your shoulders and try to breathe through your nose. If you're breathing properly, your belly should be going in and out, and your shoulders shouldn't be heaving up and down. Run sometimes with your arms at your sides, to remind you to drop the upper body tension.

Good luck and happy running!

I was exactly the same - couldn't understand why people who looked much less fit than me could struggle though & progress so much quicker than me! As other people have said - take it slowly. I have a great book called Running Made Easy by Susie Walley & Lisa Jackson which starts at 30s running & builds slowly. The other thing that has really helped is doing general fitness stuff ( Jillian Michaels 30 day shred made a HUGE difference). Running is really hard - harder for some than others too! If you really want to get better then persevere - it can happen but it's not easy!

Read my blog about my journey theres a whole piece in it regarding my running.


Good luck

Here are my tips for beginner runners:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

Please take note of the first one, as it's very, very important:
When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

When you start you may need to slow down your running to almost walking pace. Get the endurance and the speed will sort itself in time. So long as you can rule out any medical condition not to do so, everyone can run. I ran a marathon while still obese!

As others have said, try C25K, bearing my tips in mind. Here is is in its simplest form:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Where are you experiencing pain? You may need to invest in running shoes properly fitted at a specialist store (as soon as you want to commit to a running programme), check your running technique, and incorporate cross-training and stretching.

Good luck, and do come back and let us know how you get on. Friend me is you're looking for running buddies! :flowerforyou:

Breathing! Make sure you're breathing properly to get the amount of oxygen you need to the crucial areas of your body while running. If you're breathing in gulps, too quickly or too shallow that could explain the light headedness. Learn HOW to breathe and that might help. Just keep at it, it gets easier!