how do you start

[NurseGrace 509]

I have never been athletic in the slightest except for a brief period of time when I was really into soccer as a preteen. Ive never been able to run even a quarter of a mile but I would like to start.

Is there such a thing as being to heavy to run in your opinion? I know its not the easiest on your joints but I am 24 years old. I just have no idea how to even approach this. I enjoy nightly walks and would love to just take off but 100 feet from where I started I start to feel as though I am unable to breathe and I have to walk again. Rinse and repeat. I never get anywhere with it.

[castiel 66]

I have read that it's bad for your joints, but I've seen a lot of plus sized people run on the treadmills at the Y. I think people have this misconception that in order to lose weight you have to run. Even walking at a fast pace with a high incline might be better than running until you strengthen your heart.

Have you thought about doing the couch to 5k program? You do little bursts of running and walking. Might be worth checking out.

[.......... 129]

Gotta use interval traing method. Walk and pick pace up, then run shorter distance and stay in comfort zones but get heart rate up enough, then basicaly repeat that several times, like; split 5,10 or 20 eventualy 30 minutes into walk, fast walk, running spirts, then again, get 30% faster than just walking maybe. Trick is getting heart rate to higher effective level long enough and then it all as one helps build endurance as well.

[IsB 209]

Try the couch to 5k app. It's on IOS and Android. The whole premise is that you are starting from scratch. Follow it and you will be able to run a 5k by the time you're done

[NurseGrace 509]

I have read that it's bad for your joints, but I've seen a lot of plus sized people run on the treadmills at the Y. I think people have this misconception that in order to lose weight you have to run. Even walking at a fast pace with a high incline might be better than running until you strengthen your heart.

Have you thought about doing the couch to 5k program? You do little bursts of running and walking. Might be worth checking out.

Hey I think I am going to try the couch to 5k, I guess I never thought to do that because it seemed to me like the people who did those were already fit so I assumed it was above my fitness level.

As for the running thing, its not that I feel like I HAVE to run to lose weight, but there is no denying its a calorie burner, and my cardiovascular endurance is piss poor. I am also attracted to running because I am a bit of a minimalist - in all aspects of my life (except food) so I don't like having a full house, I don't like lots of STUFF, I like clean open spaces... so I am attracted to activities that don't require me to maintain lots of equipment and gear.

The other reason is because of CrossFit. I got a taste of crossfit prior to surgery and it got me. I freaking love it, but even scaled down, it was too much for me, I was just flat out TOO OUT OF SHAPE. CrossFit might even be one of the biggest reasons I had this surgery. I want to get into a more physically fit state so I can do crossfit without really injuring myself, which for me wasn't really possible at 300 pounds.

[moregoodtimes 331]

I have never been athletic in the slightest except for a brief period of time when I was really into soccer as a preteen. Ive never been able to run even a quarter of a mile but I would like to start.

Is there such a thing as being to heavy to run in your opinion? I know its not the easiest on your joints but I am 24 years old. I just have no idea how to even approach this. I enjoy nightly walks and would love to just take off but 100 feet from where I started I start to feel as though I am unable to breathe and I have to walk again. Rinse and repeat. I never get anywhere with it.

When i was 57, i lost a good amount of weight with diet and exercise. I had a core workout tape i liked and then walked on my treadmill. I started with only 15 min because i was not really into it at all. Each few days i would add 5 minutes until i got to a mile, then 2 miles. One day i thought..hum... I bet i could run maybe 15 seconds... So every few minutes i would break into a run for those 15 seconds. This went on for quite a bit because i still was at about 225 or so so had confidence that i could really run for a longer period of time. I finally realized it was not that hard to run since your stride lengthens so i gave a quarter mile a go... And boom... Started doing quarter mile runs and quarter mile walks for a week or so then bumped to half mile walk half mile run and then running the full two miles. Im sure true runners would call my pitiful run a jog, not sure how fast you go to call it a run or if it depends on stride length. Bottom line though... It was all about confidence and taking time to build up to the run phase. I do plan to begin the c25k program this time once i am cleared to do more than just walk (already doing at least a mile a day or more at 12 days out) and i plan to order a running book so that i learn more about form, the foot strike, etc. i also need new shoes, but from experience, know my foot size decreases with weight lose so i hate to get new shoes only to have them get too big in a short amount of time. Knowing you can run two miles or more is just the best. Self esteem soars. So yep, i am now 60, but know i will be back running soon. I want to feel that pride and see the amazing changes in my body. Oh yeah... When walking, i always did face and neck exercises, as well as when i was driving. I swear it made a difference especially in my neck. Good luck Grace. I wish you the best.

[.......... 129]

yes, watch if your not in shape and maybe have aches that you do not at first over do, some injuries may prevent more than walking.

[mark! 449]

When starting out, the biggest thing is just going to be getting in there and doing something, anything. You can hurt yourself if you start out too quickly. Running on concrete at a heavy weight can also create joint problems for your knees and hips due to the impact but most treadmills have built in impact resistors so it's easier on us larger folk. Couch to 5k is a great program. Most newer treadmills also have interval training built in so you can set jog speed for like 2.5, and run speed for 3.5 or so, just hit the button to switch back and forth, do 1 minute walk, 30 seconds jog or however long you can go to feel comfortable.

You made the point you're 24, be kind to your knees early on and they'll be there when you need them in 15 years. Elipticals and bikes work great as well to keep the pressure off your joints.

[IsB 209]

The key is to just keep doing it. Once exercise becomes part of your daily routine you will be shocked how fast you improve.

[Nicolanz 1,484]

Please please please get good shoes! If you have a Fleet Feet around they will watch you walk and run and tell you exactly what you need. Good luck!

[hadouni 301]

I started c25k recently and tonight will be my first night of week 3 (of a 9 week program). I downloaded a free app for my iPhone and it's helpful because it prompts you to run or walk and tells you when you're half way there. I have NEVER been a runner so I'm still somewhat skeptical that I'll be able to ever run 5k, but so far so good. I've even tacked on an extra cycle of run at the end most times. I've been walking on days in between run days.

I have a treadmill that inclines and before starting to run, I'd walk at 5-7% incline at about 3.5mph for 30 minutes. Earlier on, I walked at more like 3mph and 3-5% incline.

The phone apps are good for me because it tells me what to do, when to do it and it's sort of a challenge to see if I can do it which is motivating me.

And good shoes are a must if you're going to run. I did the first couple runs in my older shoes and the new shoes made a big difference. I went to a DSW and bought a pair of shoes on the clearance rack for $25 that were the exact same shoe I'd almost paid $60 for in the same store - I just bout white and orange instead of white and pink.

[NurseGrace 509]

Please please please get good shoes! If you have a Fleet Feet around they will watch you walk and run and tell you exactly what you need. Good luck!

You might hate me, I'm a barefoot enthusiast

[cyncitygirl 100]

May I recommend learning how to swim different strokes and lap swimming? Not only is it a good time to clear your mind and be alone but it's a total body workout and it does NOT hurt your joints because their is no impact. It has helped time my arms legs and back in the past and I can feel my heart rate jump up when I push hard. 45min of vigorous lap swimming burns 740calories! And afterward I feel pumped! I swim, do Zumba, hike and I started doing the couch to 5k running intervals w my boyfriend but running to me gets boring. Good luck!