[Pumpkin_Pie]

So, my son is now 2 years old, and I have every bit of baby weight left plus some. I am so flabby, fat, tired and depressed. I just feel like someone stuffed me into a fat suit and I can't fight my way out of it. When I got pregnant, I was running nearly every day 2-3 miles each time. I felt great, but my joints got so sore that I quit when I was only about 3-4 months along.

Now I am 35, and I also have mild arthritis. It is in my hips, shoulders, and to a lesser extent in my knees and elbows. I walked for most of the summer last summer, but I am dying to run again. I am about 100 pounds overweight, which makes me want to cry just typing that out.

I realize I can't just go out tomorrow and run 3 miles, but does anyone have any suggestions for getting going again? Everything I read about going from the couch to being a runner pretty much assumes that you have some sort of baseline fitness level. I really don't. I haven't walked at all over the winter and REALLY need to avoid an injury. I do have a jogger stroller that my son loves riding in, so he can come along. I just need a plan. I don't own and iPod, and I don't think my son would let me not talk to him anyway, so podcasts and music are out. I really don't want to be checking my watch every 5 seconds to be doing the 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking while I am out either. I just can't quite figure out how to make it all work.

I did order an Enell bra today though! Next up on the list is new sneakers and I will be off and running! Or ambling anyway.

 

[MsHiss]

:

 

[Kirsten]

I have been 50-60 pounds overweight, and wasn't physically comfortable running. So I might start with brisk walks if it were me. Which it actually is - as I just was foolish enough to sign up for a 5K when I've never run in my life and still have about 30 pounds to lose... At least you have some background with running and know you can do it and enjoy it.

One thing I've been thinking of trying is to run for a block, then walk a block, repeat. So you don't really need to time anything or count anything - when you get to the cross street start running or stop running. I'm going to try it soon.

Do you have a gym in your area? I actually got in really good shape years ago on the elliptical - which I hated originally (thought my friend was trying to kill me) but I love the no impact! Or biking? I have no idea if these transfer over to running being easier but I figure they can't hurt.

I need to spend more time in this forum so it rubs off on me!

 

[Pumpkin_Pie]

There is a gym that I could join in my area, but I am very low income, and the cost of the gym plus the cost of childcare while I am there are prohibitive. I used to do the elliptical machines there, and I LOVE them. I agree that the no impact thing is fabulous. If only I could afford an Elliptical for my living room...

I do bike in the summer, and I have a trailer for my son to ride in. I haven't broken it out yet this year, but I might have to try it this weekend. No impact and at least it will get my heart rate up.

I also like the idea of run for a block, walk for a block. I don't really live where we have "blocks", but I could try counting telephone poles. I also am definitely planning to walk a ton. Maybe if I just up the speed as much as I can and then back off and walk slower for a bit back and forth and eventually start to run during the faster times? I just wish there were a book on how to get back into it after really letting yourself go.

 

[fek&fuzz]

I think the main thing is to just start walking briskly. Don't get caught up in trying to find a "system" to learn how to start running. Just get out, pump your arms, find some hills and do it every day. Don't even worry about running. You can lose weight just fine with brisk walking and not risk injury or giving up because you haven't progressed like the system said to.

 

[sapphire_chan]

Doing lots of walks helped me not hurt when I started doing some running.

 

[SequoiasMom]

I am going to recommend the couch to 5k program. It has options for running a certain distance OR for time, so you don't necessarily have to use the whole 60 seconds thing. Plus, you can go at your own pace and repeat a day or a week's program for as long as you need to before you progress to the next level.
It worked for me, and I plan on doing it again after this baby.
It's really nice to have the structure and goals.
Good luck!

 

[larastheme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SequoiasMom I am going to recommend the couch to 5k program. It has options for running a certain distance OR for time, so you don't necessarily have to use the whole 60 seconds thing. Plus, you can go at your own pace and repeat a day or a week's program for as long as you need to before you progress to the next level. It worked for me, and I plan on doing it again after this baby. It's really nice to have the structure and goals. Good luck!

:

As an example, I don't think I'll ever get past week 6, but who cares? It's what's best for me, and I found that having the framework there really helped. Best of luck!

 

[Siera]

Couch to 5K is the best way I've found to start running!

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

 

[bec]

I would highly recommend the couch to 5k. It's how I started running.

But, I also see that you don't want to be fussing with watching your time. While that seems like just an excuse (sorry if that comes across as a bit harsh, but this is coming from the person who has made every excuse in the book!), I was just reading in this month's Runner's World about how to start running. Basically, it said that you should start by being able to walk for 30 minutes straight. After that, you can start to add some running into your walks. They suggested that you start running at an easy pace and stop as soon as you are breathing hard. It doesn't matter how long you are running, or how far at that point. Walk until you feel recovered, then do it again. Gradually, the time you are running will increase.

They recommended for weeks 1-4 to walk 10 minutes (warm up), run-walk for 15 minutes, then walk for the last 5 minutes (cool down). Do this 3 times a week, and walk 30 minutes 2 times a week.

For weeks 5-8, walk 5 minutes, run-walk 20 minutes, then walk 5 minutes. Again, 3 days a week with this, 2 days with just walking.

For weeks 9-12, walk 2 minutes, run-walk 25 minutes, walk 3 minutes.

Good luck!

 

[kate~mom]

what's that song?

just put one foot in front of the other?

anyway, i never could do a couch to 5K style program, so i just ran. i did three blocks the first day, four blocks the next, etc.

 

[limabean]

I agree with the Couch to 5K recommendation. There's a support thread for it somewhere on the first page of this forum -- come join us!

 

[floiejo2]

Just start running. I mean go out there and start walking, as soon as you feel warmed up, run a little. Just as far as you feel comfortable with. Don't push yourself too hard yet. Then walk again as soon as you're tired. Then run again. That's how I started this time around. Pretty soon I started paying attention and went from 1/2 mile to 1 mile to 2 miles. It was a slow progression though. Be super careful though, if anything feels uncomfortable listen to it! I ended up getting super bad shin splints, maybe stress fractures. I've had to stop running for a couple weeks now and am doing other exercises instead because of them. I just kept pushing myself regardless which was stupid in hindsight. Good luck!

 

[limabean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by floiejo2 Just start running. I mean go out there and start walking, as soon as you feel warmed up, run a little. Just as far as you feel comfortable with. Don't push yourself too hard yet. Then walk again as soon as you're tired. Then run again. That's how I started this time around. Pretty soon I started paying attention and went from 1/2 mile to 1 mile to 2 miles. It was a slow progression though. Be super careful though, if anything feels uncomfortable listen to it! I ended up getting super bad shin splints, maybe stress fractures. I've had to stop running for a couple weeks now and am doing other exercises instead because of them. I just kept pushing myself regardless which was stupid in hindsight. Good luck!

[Emphasis mine]

This is exactly why a program like Couch to 5K is beneficial -- it gradually and systematically increases the time/distance, whereas if you just go out and run as much as you can it's pretty easy to overdo it.

 

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Thanks for all of the advice. I agree that not wanting to look at my watch carefully sounds like an excuse, but I have a tendency to obsess over things like that, so I could see it becoming a huge stressor for me and then using that as an excuse for not running. I want to avoid excuses if I can and just get out there and run.

Yesterday I walked for about a half hour and it felt great. Today I planned to go for about 45 minutes or so, but then it was so nice out and I ran into friends who were walking and we ended up walking for 2.5 HOURS! I know I am going to pay for that tomorrow, but I am thinking I may try to get out and walk 10-15 minutes tomorrow and then rest on Monday. I was thinking of skipping going at all tomorrow, but I think I need to stretch my muscles tomorrow, and a very short walk will hopefully not hurt too badly.

I did run across a street today! Woo Hoo!! I know that sounds like such a weeny thing to say, but I was so happy that it didn't hurt to run those few feet. I can't wait for my new bra to come in the mail. I am going to run the day after I get it. Even if it is only for 5 minutes, I am going to do it.

Oh, I downloaded the Chubby Jones podcast Week 1 and I freaking love it! I listened to it on my computer and it totally inspired me. Now to just get an iPod. I hate, hate, HATE spending money on this, but I really desperately need to get this weight under control and get back in shape. If anyone has any recs on a good, inexpensive MP3 player, I am all ears! I don't need any frills, just something that I can load the Chubby Jones podcasts onto and then music when I am really ready to run. I am hoping my son will let me listen, and if not, then maybe I can rig something up so I can have a little speaker so he can listen too.

 

[Pumpkin_Pie]

nevermind. Answered my own question.

 

[coccinelle]

Hi, when I first got into running I worked up to it through the C25K program. After a move and new job I let the running slide, and am just getting back into it.

This time, I looked into my county's Road Runners club and discovered that they're offering a beginning women's running program. Meets twice/wk to work up to a 5k. Very low-key and supportive....maybe you can find a similar program where you are!

 

[Materfamilias]

Good luck and

I just started running a month or so ago after mistakenly signing up for a 5 mile run in May. Thought it was a 5K -- ooops! Anyway, it has helped a lot knowing I have this run to prepare for -- it's a lot harder to blow off a run. I have never been a runner, never have run long enough to feel comfortable, until now -- I've enjoyed it quite a lot.
Maybe you could sign up for some run in summer to give yourself a goal?

 

[limabean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie I agree that not wanting to look at my watch carefully sounds like an excuse, but I have a tendency to obsess over things like that, so I could see it becoming a huge stressor for me and then using that as an excuse for not running. I want to avoid excuses if I can and just get out there and run.

I hate checking my watch too, so I downloaded a Couch to 5K podcast that tells me when to start and stop running so I don't have to keep track of it at all.

 

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Yippee! I don't know if it is the new shoes, but I am not in pain AT ALL today after my 2.5 hour trek around my town yesterday. I think it might be that I am a bit more in shape for walking than I realized, as I do tend to walk for a half hour to an hour every day if you count the running I do after children every day for my job.

I am so definitely going to run on the first day that the Enell bra gets here. I am getting so excited! I think I am going to sign up for a 5K that happens in the fall. That way I have all summer to really get ready. I so cannot afford to get an injury. I am a single mama and not being able to chase down my toddler in a parking lot is downright dangerous.