Question About Running?

[Shannalee 65]

It might be a little early to ask this question because I won't be having my surgery until May 2013 but I am 422 pounds and have been a little obsessed with researching everything I can about running. I've never done it but would really like to start when I have lost the weight. My question is......has anyone lost a lot of weight and been able to start running?

[raquelrdgz 41]

It might be a little early to ask this question because I won't be having my surgery until May 2013 but I am 422 pounds and have been a little obsessed with researching everything I can about running. I've never done it but would really like to start when I have lost the weight. My question is......has anyone lost a lot of weight and been able to start running?

I'm FaRrrrrRRrr from being a runner BUT I have been getting on my treadmill and I walk, jog, walk and I've increased my speed and inclines I'm excited about that!! I would love to do a marathon or something but taking baby steps for now ---

[Shannalee 65]

I am a walker. Before I hurt my knees a year ago I would walk a few miles a day. Actually I would do almost anything outside just to get outside. I also would love to do a marathon...we have what is Bloomsday here in Spokane and my first goal would be to walk the whole thing (10k) May 2014 and then run it May 2014. IDK....I have have been reading and wonder if someone my size could ever run!

[Shannalee 65]

Correction....run it in May 2015.

[lorid 13]

I lost about 40 and realized the treadmill wasn't makings sweat. So I downloaded c25k (couch to 5 k) on my phone It really makes you sweat and its s great introduction to running. I haven't decided to run one yet but it's great.

[kristy3k 1,133]

Because the weather is cold I have been doing my walking on the treadmill. I have been experimenting with walking 4.0 pace and then running 4.8 pace at 2 minute intervals. It can be done... Started at 340 lbs feb 21st 2012 now 174 lbs. I just prefer walking to running cuz I always feel like I am about to pee down my leg when I run lol!!

[Shannalee 65]

I lost about 40 and realized the treadmill wasn't makings sweat. So I downloaded c25k (couch to 5 k) on my phone It really makes you sweat and its s great introduction to running. I haven't decided to run one yet but it's great.

I forgot about that program. My sister has used it and she loved it. She has mentioned that it's a great tool to start running. I just don't know what it feelings like to be able to run and see what everyone I know is enjoying. I have a co-worker that is starting to really get ready for a 50k that we have every year and how he is preparing has really made me interested in it. He is aware of the surgery and very supportive so it would be cool if once I am down to a comfortable weight and have trained maybe I could attempt the 25k at the same time. I can't even imagine but I have added this to my reverse bucket list

[BBdoodle 483]

I am a runner and absolutely LOVE it. At my heaviest weight years ago I was 275, I went on a diet and started exercising and lost 100 lbs all on my own. I started walking in the park and about a year after walking I was not getting my heart rate up anymore so I started to jog, I would jog like 20 steps then walk then jog 30 steps then walk. I finally got up to jogging 1/4 then walk a 1/4 mile. It took me almost a whole year to run a mile without stopping. I ran in my local park 7 days a week 4-5 miles a day all year long. I love running in the cold weather. Of course my weight started going back up again becuse I fell off my diet but I still continued to jog because I loved it so much. My weight got back up to 214 and at that point is when I had RNY sugery. It took me about 5 months after surgery to start jogging again but once I did I feel soooo much better.

My advise to you is start walking first, lose the weight or get to about 50 lbs. within your goal weight. You don't want to put stress on your joints and cause injury then you will not be able to exercise at all...so take it slow and set small goals first.

[Shannalee 65]

I am a runner and absolutely LOVE it. At my heaviest weight years ago I was 275, I went on a diet and started exercising and lost 100 lbs all on my own. I started walking in the park and about a year after walking I was not getting my heart rate up anymore so I started to jog, I would jog like 20 steps then walk then jog 30 steps then walk. I finally got up to jogging 1/4 then walk a 1/4 mile. It took me almost a whole year to run a mile without stopping. I ran in my local park 7 days a week 4-5 miles a day all year long. I love running in the cold weather. Of course my weight started going back up again becuse I fell off my diet but I still continued to jog because I loved it so much. My weight got back up to 214 and at that point is when I had RNY sugery. It took me about 5 months after surgery to start jogging again but once I did I feel soooo much better.

My advise to you is start walking first, lose the weight or get to about 50 lbs. within your goal weight. You don't want to put stress on your joints and cause injury then you will not be able to exercise at all...so take it slow and set small goals first.

Thanks for the advice....I will have to remember that. I know at first I will want to dive right in but walking will be my friend for a while. The good thing about where I live there is a trail that is beautiful and almost, I think, 50 miles long. I know I won't be able to walk it all in one shot but I have plenty areas to start from.

[JustJenn 542]

Hi! I'm 94 lbs down since surgery and this week started jogging on the treadmill at the gym. Kinda freaky for me but I have been feeling like I want to run. So I finally went for it Sunday and have been jogging all week I feel like I look stupid and huge but thank God my knees don't hurt and take it well and I CAN do it:)

I jog and walk jog and walk... Makes me feel accomplished! NSV for me:) never in my life did I think I would jogging!

.::SurgeryDate 7/25/12::.

[kristy3k 1,133]

Hi! I'm 94 lbs down since surgery and this week started jogging on the treadmill at the gym. Kinda freaky for me but I have been feeling like I want to run. So I finally went for it Sunday and have been jogging all week I feel like I look stupid and huge but thank God my knees don't hurt and take it well and I CAN do it:)

I jog and walk jog and walk... Makes me feel accomplished! NSV for me:) never in my life did I think I would jogging!

.::SurgeryDate 7/25/12::.

Jenn... 94 lbs... Woohoo!!!!!!

[JustJenn 542]

Yup!!!! It's hard to believe I'm almost at 100 lbs lost post op!!!! but I'm still aways away from my goal of 180. About another 85 pounds :/ but it's a marathon... Not a sprint

.::SurgeryDate 7/25/12::.

[BBdoodle 483]

Thanks for the advice....I will have to remember that. I know at first I will want to dive right in but walking will be my friend for a while. The good thing about where I live there is a trail that is beautiful and almost, I think, 50 miles long. I know I won't be able to walk it all in one shot but I have plenty areas to start from.

Just start out slow, you don't want to get burnt out on exercise. Its great that you want to dive right in but please don't because you risk injury and then you will not be able to workout at all. Jogging/running really puts a strain on your joints, hips etc. if you don't do it right. Oh and one other thing and this is my BIG thing.. get proper sneakers for "running" it will truly save on your joints. My sneakers cost anywhere from 50 to $70.00 but they are made specifically for running. They have cushion in them and are made for running. When I first started walking I bought the running sneakers because they felt better on my feet and gave me more protection than just regular sneakers and the took the pounding too !!! My . running sneakers are Saucony... believe me I have tried them all, Saucony has the best cushioning, but that is my opinion and that brand works best for me.

[Shannalee 65]

Just start out slow, you don't want to get burnt out on exercise. Its great that you want to dive right in but please don't because you risk injury and then you will not be able to workout at all. Jogging/running really puts a strain on your joints, hips etc. if you don't do it right. Oh and one other thing and this is my BIG thing.. get proper sneakers for "running" it will truly save on your joints. My sneakers cost anywhere from 50 to $70.00 but they are made specifically for running. They have cushion in them and are made for running. When I first started walking I bought the running sneakers because they felt better on my feet and gave me more protection than just regular sneakers and the took the pounding too !!! My . running sneakers are Saucony... believe me I have tried them all, Saucony has the best cushioning, but that is my opinion and that brand works best for me.

I have been saying to myself that I need to take it slow. My issue in the past was that I would dive right in and then something would happen. I think that over time the running will be part of the exercise but I do love walking too so that's what it will be in the beginning. Thanks for the tip on the shoes. I actually wear sneakers all day everyday because they help with the impact on my knees. I don't spend as much but I have a feeling when I do start to walk more that I will be buying better sneakers.

My head has all these ideas for what I want to do for exercise after the surgery but I need to continue to remind myself that it took be this long to get all the weight on and it's gonna take sometime to get it off. Like JustJenn said....it's a marathon, not a sprint I just have to remind myself that everyday.

[BBdoodle 483]

I have been saying to myself that I need to take it slow. My issue in the past was that I would dive right in and then something would happen. I think that over time the running will be part of the exercise but I do love walking too so that's what it will be in the beginning. Thanks for the tip on the shoes. I actually wear sneakers all day everyday because they help with the impact on my knees. I don't spend as much but I have a feeling when I do start to walk more that I will be buying better sneakers.

My head has all these ideas for what I want to do for exercise after the surgery but I need to continue to remind myself that it took be this long to get all the weight on and it's gonna take sometime to get it off. Like JustJenn said....it's a marathon, not a sprint I just have to remind myself that everyday.

You have to do what works best for YOU !!! I do a lot of "talkin" to myself too, it keeps me motivated and on track. I also yell at myself too - LOL. When I was 275 lbs. my Mom would always invite me to walk with her in the park, she was very acitve and in total great shape. So I joined her one day then I got hooked... it was great having someone to talk too, we would walk all year long, it was great seeing nature, the sun rises the beautiful fall colors, the beautiful winter snows, etc. etc. She would notivate me.. plus I liked spending that time with my Mom. If you have someone to walk with it helps.

I have noticed that a lot of people want instant gratification, at first the weight comes off really quick then it slows, at least for me it did. I had 70 lbs to loose, I am 9 months post op and have lost 50 lbs, I have 20 more to go. I had a 2 month stall with no weight loss in Aug/Sept. it was awful... but I kept the exercise up, watched what I ate and then when I increased my exercise the weight started to come off again. Plus, once you start losing the weight it is such a great feeling it totally motivates you to lose more. Just find a exercise you like and you will stick with it.