Running

I'm 275 pounds-I'm I too heavy to start running? I do have plantar fascitis in my feet (burning joint pain) and not-so-great knees from being heavy, but I want to start making good habits. If I do start running rather than just walking, are there any precautions I should take to prevent joint injury? I know I've got a lot of weight to slam down on load bearing joints, and I know I'm a "heel-braker" when I run, so I know there's definitely some room for form improvement to help me.

Has anyone been there? Does anyone have words of the wise or hard learned lessons they can share?

I was just wondering the same thing. I'm at 270 and wondering how I can handle running now. I haven't ran in probably 10 years... ugh!! I'm interested to hear the weight where everyone else started running!

I am waiting until I get within 20 pounds of goal to start running.  I have had the heal pain, ankle surgery and knee issues and just do not want to exasperate those issues and not be able to do any exercise, including walking. Some people do fine starting at a higher weight, but remember the stress it still causes on your heart, lungs and body, when you carry the extra weight.  Just be careful.

I do know from runner friends that it is VERY important to warm up, stretch and cool down.  Plus, regulating your breathing during running is important too.  Form is obviously important, along with good quality shoes.  If your stride is off kilter from your shoes, you can mess up your back too.

Not trying to discourage you, but do your research and start out slow (intervals) to work your way up to full running.  There are many other forms of exercise that give the same endorphins and benefit to your body without being so hard on your joints.  

With that said, I do hope to get to a point where I can run a 5K and actually enjoy it.  Ha!

Best wishes on your endeavor and if it is a goal for you to be a runner, go for it, just work your way up with intervals and listen to your body as you go.

I seriously injured my knee from running during a time of significant weight gain (had run for years without injury at a lower weight). That's not to say you can't run when heavier, but it's important to listen to your body's pain signals.

After almost three years of suffering, my knee got better when I got about 20 pounds from goal. It is only now (at goal) that I would consider running again.

I opted to swim for fitness rather than run. I've been a runner in the past (Army) and even when i was in shape, hated every step and found it hard on my joints.

I started swimming laps slowly, using the kick board and stroke drills and slowly added more laps with fewer breaks between laps.  I also took a classes to help me develop a better stroke so as not to wear our my shoulder joints.

Swimming laps probably gives you the best calorie burn of any of the options out there  this morning, my workout burned off 600 calories of goo. 

If you have a lap pool near by, you may want to consider it over running.  Otherwise, an elliptical trainer or just plan walking will get it done.

I wouldn't run until your weight is a lot closer to goal, you will create unneeded stress on those leg/feet joints.

My 2 cents for what it's worth.

I can't advise you about the weight, but if you run landing on your heels, you might want to check out these shoes: http://www.altrazerodrop.com/

I started running a few weeks ago using "Couch to 5k". Check it out. I would be very careful about injuring yourself though. Bike riding is supposed to knock off a lot of calories with a lot less stress on your joints. There are also programs like "walk away the pounds" that could give you a good start while the weight is dropping off.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Leslie-Sansone-Walk-Away-The-Pounds-Ultimate-Collection-With-Resistance-Band-Full-Frame/11988277

I really need to find a gym with a lap pool with late/early hours. My psychologist said that people who start aerobic exercise before surgery tend to have less loose skin afterward. I know I'll have it anyway (I have some DEEP and WIDE stretch marks, and those don't exactly have elasticity) but it's a good idea to start finding ways to do all of this (meaning the process, eating better, eating less, fighting bad habits, making good ones, exercising, etc) now rather than when I'm also dealing with the "Wait, when exactly did I decide removing some of my organs would be a good idea?!" aftershocks. (I know, at some point, I will freak out over that. I just have to remember that it's really half my stomach, or my life. My life, shorter, and impeded by reduced ability to enjoy what I have.)

You can also see if your local school districts have open swim time.  I registered for family access to my local school district for open gym/swim time and it was only $150 for the whole year.  They also have a community rec program with floor cardio classes and water arobic classes including both kinds of Zumba for $2.50 each class.  Works out cheaper and closer for me then a YMCA or gym member ship.

Running is so much more physically destructive at high weights, I would suggest that at your current weight walking is much more efficient and will cause less injuries. Then when the weight starts to disappear and you need to push yourself through plateaus you can add running as as "afterburner" to get you to your final goals . 

For what it's worth, I "ran" a 5K 2 years ago at 295.  Looking back, I probably would have had better time speed walking and my doc told me that while I may not feel it now, it is a beating on the knees and joints.

I would definitely look at a walking group.  Those speed walkers are no joke!  But also check in with your doc.