Is C25K REALLY for "couch" people?

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  • denisek80
    denisek80 Posts: 82 Member
    I am 31 weigh 241lbs and am currently on week 2 and yes I'm a couch person and never ran since I was about 14!! It's hard but you can do it!!!
  • terri0527
    terri0527 Posts: 678 Member
    Want to start this program also...here's to hoping I like running better than i do now. :smile:
  • Hestion
    Hestion Posts: 740 Member
    Want to start this program also...here's to hoping I like running better than i do now. :smile:

    You will :-) I never ran, think the last time I ran was school, and that was because I had to!hehe

    I didnt think I'd like it, but I really do, have my music on and its great :-)
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    OMG this is NOT for couch people ... I thought I was going to die
    I walked at least 1/2 of it ... :(
    But I did the whole thing ..

    Go slowly. I had never run a day in my life either. I had been walking regularly for about 5 months before I started it though. I can now run 5K and am training for a 10K, and still very much overweight LOL. It took me 13 weeks to do the 8 week program. Go slowly, repeat weeks or days as necessary. If I can do it, anyone can. Seriously LOL.
  • johnsummerton
    johnsummerton Posts: 86 Member
    Yes it is . Used to be a whale on the sofa . Now a runner 18 miles a week . All achieved in a year .go for it
  • ixap
    ixap Posts: 675 Member
    OMG this is NOT for couch people ... I thought I was going to die
    I walked at least 1/2 of it ... :(
    But I did the whole thing ..
    Hey that's okay! Good for you for finishing. You don't need to be sad that you walked half of it. I think many if not most find that to be true their first time trying. In fact I know of many people who couldn't finish the 30 minutes even walking. With a little time, they succeeded in becoming runners. You can too.

    I'd stick with it, and either warm up to the program with several 30-minute walks each week, or do week 1 but shorten the running intervals to 20 or 30 seconds, and lengthen the walking intervals to 120 seconds (2 minutes). In a week or two you'll be ready for the standard version of week 1.
  • MizSaz
    MizSaz Posts: 445 Member
    I loved it, my only issue was that I'm a smoker, so I did get winded a little easier than I would have if I could just kick the stupid butts. But in terms of being a real couch person, I'm DEFINITELY a couch person, and I had no soreness or cramps or aches or anything like that.
  • Mamasota
    Mamasota Posts: 144
    It's a great tool. You can go at your own pace - I stayed on level 1 for much longer than my 2 friends but I'm starting to catch up. It's YOUR diet and it's YOUR exercise plan. Do what works for you.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I have never ever been a runner(except for a short stint in May where I went temporarily insane and decided that trying to run a treadmill was a good idea.)

    I just completed Week 3 Day 1 yesterday and it went well.

    My advice is to go slow and don't push too hard/fast.
  • OpenHeaven
    OpenHeaven Posts: 275 Member
    I started it last week...It is intense at times, but I really like it!!!!! The first week, it has you warm up for 5 minutes and then do several intervals of running/walking. You run for 60 seconds, walk for 90, run for 60, walk for 90, etc. I'm not going to lie - there were times when I would skip a jogging interval because I was exhausted (or I was about to pass someone and didn't want to look like Phoebe from Friends while running!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!)

    You CAN do it!!!!! If you have an iPhone, I downloaded a free program called JogLog, and it has free access to the C25K program. Listen to your body. If you need to slow down, do it, BUT push yourself!!!! I have found that it's usually not my body that needs a rest...it's a mental hurdle that I have to cross!! (Mountain climbers tell me that the biggest battle that they face when reaching the summit of a huge mountain is not physical...it's mental.) You got this!!!! Now go get your sweat on!!!
  • bookyeti
    bookyeti Posts: 544 Member
    Start off with a regular walking routine. Gradually speed up your walking. Then start C25K. No problem. :)
  • tammyandzach
    tammyandzach Posts: 922 Member
    This is probably a really dumb question. But the way I keep myself going is I keep myself distracted. So I watch netflix on my phone while on the treadmill. Has anyone found an app that will count down the time and verbally tell you but let you netflix at the same time?
  • macsgirl526
    macsgirl526 Posts: 80
    I saw this last night and was very interested. I downloaded the app this morning.Tonight or tomorrow morning I am going to start.I have never ever been a runner but I want to become one. So we will see. :)
  • Tandksmommy11
    Tandksmommy11 Posts: 399 Member
    I had knee surgery 3 times and have never run in my life because of bad knees. The first time I started C25K, I tried doing it where I used to live which was a hilly area. I almost died just trying to jog 60-90 seconds. I moved and now I am running outside on flat ground or on the treadmill at the gym when it's hot...I can do 3 minutes at a time with 1.5-2 minutes walking in between. I am not following it exactly but I am using the intervals and upping it as much as I can each week.
  • Dad_of_3
    Dad_of_3 Posts: 517 Member
    @ mamabear0222:
    OMG this is NOT for couch people ... I thought I was going to die
    I walked at least 1/2 of it ... :(
    But I did the whole thing ..

    You can do it. And if you keep at it, eat right, drink lots of water, and most of all, stretch and rest, it will get easier. If you need support, send me a friend request- you WILL have my support! Hang in there and you will succeed!
  • Seaglass1123
    Seaglass1123 Posts: 500 Member
    I think so. I started this program being a decent walker (walking several times/wk) but never imagined being able to jog/run for 30 secs let alone for 3 miles. I actually kind of pushed myself into this on my own. During my walks I would say ok jog to that telephone pole and kept pushing myself. Finally I committed my mind to doing this. I am currently heading into week 5. Week 4 started to become more of a challenge for me and I may repeat it if I feel I need to. But the end of wk 5 is a huge jump. I am trying not to let my nerves get to me. But the way I look at it is I am doing something outside of my comfort zone and I feel good about it. I am so proud of myself for even committing to doing this. I say go for it!
  • kkmulholland
    kkmulholland Posts: 28
    Great thread of encouragement!
    I'm so glad I read this before my Wk1/D1 start off today. Had I failed to complete the session as written, I would have really felt like a failure. I'm glad to know now that it take more time than advertised for many people to get going on this. Of course, I stupidly have already signed up for a 5K! HA! We'll see how much gets run and how much gets walked. :-D
  • SteveTries
    SteveTries Posts: 723 Member
    I got off the couch in January. I was so embarressed at my inability to run properly and my physical shape that I would only go when it was dark outside.

    This Saturday I ran my first race; a half marathon on a very muddy trail in 2 hours 8 mins. Far from fast but not a disgrace. It was an amazing feeling.
    OMG this is NOT for couch people ... I thought I was going to die
    I walked at least 1/2 of it ... :(
    But I did the whole thing ..

    That's exactly what my wife said during her first week. She was convinced she'd never get to 1 mile. She now runs 5k 3 times a week and has run her first race raising £400 for charity in the process.
  • SteveTries
    SteveTries Posts: 723 Member
    your post inspired me to write my first blog post

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/sjb74uk
  • masanz1
    masanz1 Posts: 65 Member
    great program for the non runner. I started the program on 6/17/2011...ran my first 5K on 9/17/2011 throughout 2011 I have ran at least one race a month...2012 I have only ran one 5k...the rest of been over 10K. I now run 4 times a week, 3x5k and 1 at least 10k...bike and swim twice a week and am working on my first triathlon on August 26. BTW I use to weigh 350 lbs...now weigh 185...site doesnt reflect since I started using MFP a year into my life change.
  • macsgirl526
    macsgirl526 Posts: 80
    OMG.I did it today.My 1st day and I did it. I was able to jog the whole minute every time I was suppose to!! I am super proud.I was very nervous to begin this. It kicked my butt BUT I freaking did it!!!!!:happy: :happy: :happy: :happy: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
  • mrsbankston
    mrsbankston Posts: 42 Member
    I just started this week. I'm on Day 2 and surviving though I've never ran a day in my life either lol. It's kicking my butt already but I feel so proud of myself. :) I'm nervous about the coming weeks, but I'm up for the challenge. I'm just going to modify the plan, maybe stretch it out longer, if I feel like I can't accomplish it in those 8 weeks. That's a short time!!
  • captainspalding
    captainspalding Posts: 4
    I started the c25k the day I gave a 30 a day smoking habit. I had never run anywhere and had been over weight my whole life. I had to repeat a couple of weeks especially at the half way mark where the intensity really starts building.

    I'd say it is for true "couch" people if your mind is in the right place. Running is 80% in your head at the end of the day. I've been doing it for 6 months now and have lost over 40lbs. i still have some more to go but my 5k morning runs have become a cherished moment of my week. I get up at 5am while no one is around and and head out. It's pretty much the only time I have to myself and I get all grouchy if I can't go out.

    It's all in your head.
    Some advice (that no one ever takes but I'll give it anyway). First of all get some banging techno music. Even if you don't like it, it will pace you so you don't go to fast and knacker yourself out to fast. Google 150bpm running mixes and you'll be provided with excellent resources. You can speed up as you progress but trust me when I say 150 is fine to start with.
    Get good shoes
    Do it in the morning before you eat or drink anything
    Have I mentioned pacing yourself yet?
    Find routes that are fun to run. I have a few but one I do most often has become like an extension of my street I know it so well. People even say hello to me now.

    This is a long post but seriously, c25k pretty much changed myself. I'm so much happier now and have copious amounts of energy. You can do it.
  • amagus
    amagus Posts: 71 Member
    Yes. it worked for this Mrs. Potato Head. I literally could not run 100 yards and keep up with a 4 year-old. Now I am a veteran of 1 race and training to increase my speed for race 2. I still hate running, but do love posting my completed workouts.

    Advice, If you find any day particularly difficult, repeat it. Do not move on if you can barely make it through the routine.

    FYI - I am a 47 year-old Grandma and in my race came in 71 out 87 in my age/gender group. I felt like I won an Olympic metal.
  • ixap
    ixap Posts: 675 Member

    Some advice (that no one ever takes but I'll give it anyway). First of all get some banging techno music. Even if you don't like it, it will pace you so you don't go to fast and knacker yourself out to fast. Google 150bpm running mixes and you'll be provided with excellent resources. You can speed up as you progress but trust me when I say 150 is fine to start with.

    This is a nice tip.
    I find I like different music for running than I do for actually sitting and listening to, and the right beats per minute really does get me into the zone.
    I came home from my run yesterday and confessed to my husband that I listed to a Skrillex remix of Bad Romance 10 times in row, and he kindly suggested I not ever admit to that in public, LOL.
  • pinkgumdrop123
    pinkgumdrop123 Posts: 262 Member
    tomorrow is day 2 of week 2 for me and i LOVE it!! Before starting I had never gone for a run or a jog
  • AsellusReborn
    AsellusReborn Posts: 1,112 Member
    I was a never-runner and it worked for me! :)

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