My first day of C25K..Any words of advice?

gmantek
on 1/30/15 1:14 am

So I've really been wanting to mix it up in the exercise department.  My downfall has always been I get bored, so I stop doing it.  I was previously really into spin class, couldn't say enough about it. I did that mixed in with strength training.  I've really been wanting to run but never been able to until now.

I downloaded the C25K app and started today.  I did well for the first day, I could have gone a lot longer so I'm encouraged by this.  Anyone who has finished this program through to the end have any words of motivation or advice??

Stacy_WLS
on 1/30/15 2:50 am

go slow :)  i felt the same way at the begining -- that I could have gone further.  It's a great program.  

 

I also get super bored doing the same exercise all the time.  I love mixing it up.  I pretty much know that I am going to work out everyday, but I kind of let the day, schedule, classes available and my mood decide what it will be :)

VSG: 12/12/13, LBL, small TL, BL/BA: 11/7/14 Twins 12/9/18 HW after Twins 260. 5'10 37 years old - Stacy_WLS (MFP)

gmantek
on 1/30/15 4:17 am

Thanks you Stacy!  I will remember that:)  I like that you let your mood dictate your exercise choice, I think I'll start to adapt to something like that as opposed to planning it all out and being so 'technical' about it!

ald731
on 1/30/15 3:28 am
VSG on 04/07/14

I have fallen in love with running (never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be able to say this) - but I can only do it outside, no treadmill for this girl! Luckily I live in Georgia, so a relatively mild winter here (I just invested in some cold gear and a rain jacket. No snow to deal with, thankfully!) I've started half marathon training and my first 10k is scheduled for April! 

I would echo go slow - C25K actually progressed too fast for me in the beginning and I had to go at my own pace and increase the runs as I was able, not when the app told me to. Runner friends have told me to always "leave something in the tank"- to not increase too fast or too much at one time to avoid injury. So that's great that you felt you could do more! I started the program in August and I can now run (as of yesterday) 3.7 miles continuously. Other advice would be to get good running shoes - from a real running store that fits you into the right shoes. That makes a huge difference.

April:  HW- 323, SW-310, CW-159 (as of 9/25/15), Goal- 140; Pre-op (-13), M1 (-17), M2 (-16), M3 (-14), M4 (-13), M5 (-12), M6 (-8), M7 (-12), M8 (-8), M9 (-8), M10 (-5), M11 (-7), M12 (-5), M13 (-7), M14 (-0), M15 (-1), M16 (-5), M17 (-5)

        

        

gmantek
on 1/30/15 4:15 am

Thank you so much! That's great advice.  I tend to always jump in with an "all or nothing" attitude - that's part of what got me to be obese in the first place.  I will definitely remember your's and Stacy's words and go slow!  Congrats on your results!!  You are an inspiration I can't believe you are running almost 4 miles now in such short time! 

ald731
on 1/30/15 6:31 am
VSG on 04/07/14

Thanks! It's still kind of bizarre that I can actually run. I've always wanted to be a runner but was too heavy really and didn't have the discipline to actually train at it when I did lose weight before. Now, I've gotten to the point where it's hard to take rest days, haha!

I struggle with "all or nothing" as well, but running requires a slow, consistent progress.  I don't always feel like I make a lot of progress with speed during training, but I've improved my 5k time with each race. One key of consistent training, for me, is to sign up for races, so that I'm constantly working toward my next goal/personal record.

April:  HW- 323, SW-310, CW-159 (as of 9/25/15), Goal- 140; Pre-op (-13), M1 (-17), M2 (-16), M3 (-14), M4 (-13), M5 (-12), M6 (-8), M7 (-12), M8 (-8), M9 (-8), M10 (-5), M11 (-7), M12 (-5), M13 (-7), M14 (-0), M15 (-1), M16 (-5), M17 (-5)

        

        

Gwen M.
on 1/30/15 4:18 am, edited 1/30/15 4:19 am
VSG on 03/13/14

Congrats for starting!  I got about halfway through regular Couch to 5K and then switched to the 5K training app that Zombies Run produces.  I found C25K too... boring.  But the Zombies Run version includes things like heel lifts and calf lifts and skipping!  It took me through to my first 5k race :D  

After that race I switched to just using the regular Zombies Run app and a Runkeeper training plan for prompts.  My second 5k is next weekend.  EEK.

I definitely agree with the advice to get a proper shoe fitting at a running store if you have one close by.  Good running shoes are SUPER important.  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

ald731
on 1/30/15 4:32 am
VSG on 04/07/14

Good luck on your 5k, Gwen! It's really fun to see progress each time. Races are so addictive!

April:  HW- 323, SW-310, CW-159 (as of 9/25/15), Goal- 140; Pre-op (-13), M1 (-17), M2 (-16), M3 (-14), M4 (-13), M5 (-12), M6 (-8), M7 (-12), M8 (-8), M9 (-8), M10 (-5), M11 (-7), M12 (-5), M13 (-7), M14 (-0), M15 (-1), M16 (-5), M17 (-5)

        

        

Gwen M.
on 1/30/15 5:19 am
VSG on 03/13/14

I haven't quite gotten to the point where they're addictive.  But my first one was definitely quite an awesome experience.  I'm curious to see how this one will be since it's a smaller local race.  My first 5k was at the huge Baltimore Running Fest!

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

ald731
on 1/30/15 6:22 am
VSG on 04/07/14

I was definitely NOT addicted after my first one; I struggled just getting through it. But with each race (I'm at #4 so far), I've gotten a little bit faster and can run a bit more of it. I probably could have run the whole thing in the last race I did, but there was a bigger hill than I was used to and I psyched myself out and walked up it. I'm trying to incorporate more hills into my training so I'll feel more prepared for the next one. Big races are definitely a different experience than the small ones, but I like both in different ways. One great thing about a small race is that people spread out on the course a lot more so there's a lot less bobbing and weaving around people.

April:  HW- 323, SW-310, CW-159 (as of 9/25/15), Goal- 140; Pre-op (-13), M1 (-17), M2 (-16), M3 (-14), M4 (-13), M5 (-12), M6 (-8), M7 (-12), M8 (-8), M9 (-8), M10 (-5), M11 (-7), M12 (-5), M13 (-7), M14 (-0), M15 (-1), M16 (-5), M17 (-5)

        

        

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