This is not for the faint of heart. Before Couch to 5k:
After Couch to 5k:
This body is hard to move, it is hard to "jog" for 90 seconds. Truly hard. It is hard just walking up our hills. And I know this is why we (me) give up on exercise. When you're overweight, it's not easy. It's not easy when you're not overweight, but even harder when you are.
Going into anything like couch to 5k or going to the gym or whatever with the mindset that it will be easy that you will be like one of those women in sports bras breezily running down the road will not be helpful. It's hard and it doesn't look good. Your face will be red, your legs will feel like they weigh 500 lbs. each. But you will get through it, you will live, and you will feel better for it.
I've learned two things through couch to 5k:
1. You have to eat good food. On days when I eat too much or too little, it is even harder to do. On days when I eat well, I do better, I can move faster and go longer. I have more energy. I challenge myself to do this on not so perfect days, it helps me see the reality of eating too much. Often I avoid activity when I'm bloated, but I feel like exercise should change my eating habits, not the other way around.
2. I need to stretch and exercise between sessions. It's hard to move a stiff body that sits at a computer all day. So when you combine sore muscles with sitting on off days, it's hard to get started again.
I feel terrible for saying what I’m about to say, but you know I love you. And you know the tone with which I say this.
Your after picture? I laughed out loud. Because I’ve been there. Because I know what it feels like. Because you look so worn out and pitiful and hit by a truck. I want to jump up and down in celebration and give you a big fat hug. But for now? I just cackle. Because, guuurl, you look a hot mess!
And you earned that look. You worked hard for it. You go!
So are we running this weekend?
Can’t wait to see you!
*do you want big pants?*
Bravo!!!! Based on the after pic, looks like you showed those hills who was boss.
I’m on the last run of week five for c25k,and this is my third time doing the program. It’s still really (really) hard, and I realized that it will always be hard moving a big body around quickly…I’ve gotten faster and stronger, but for as long as I’m big, I will never move breezily. On my best days I “chug”, on my worst days I trudge and gasp and wheeze…but it’s always worth it
I feel your pain…and your triumph. Here’s to ticking another day off the program!!
Oh man looks like you had a workout. I remember those days. I get seriously red-faced when I do my running.
C25K is really hard but it’s sooo worth it & every week when you do your last day you will have a great NSV.
Feeling like your legs are made of lead is so tough, especially when you see other runners at the park zipping by as if they had not a care in the world (which is what I experienced during my workout last night), but we have to keep showing up and fighting. The feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line at the 5k really will make it all worth it!
I FEEL you in the after picture! I come home from my C25K runs (do W2D2 tomorrow) and I’m a red-faced, sweat drenched mess. But I feel great! It’s worth every single drop of sweat because I’m doing something outside of my comfort zone and working towards a goal.
Way to go!
Oh my gosh, I know that after face so well! Running is a tough bugger for me too. Congrats on tackling the C25K program for more than a week!
Like Krissie, I too laughed. Mostly because I look quite similar after I workout.
You’re doing awesome guuuurl! Be proud that you look so terrible!
You’re totally inspiring me with the Couch to 5K thing, which I tried a few months ago and gave up on about halfway through. I’m thinking of giving it another go. You’re so right about the food thing. Keep up the good work!
You might feel worn out and dragging, but you have GOT to feel good about it, right? Now, the hardest part is to take what you’ve learned and hang on to it! I wish I was there cheering you on, good job!
it is so great you are doing the c25k its a really great program sadly i never finished because i can not run for 30 min straight but i am still running and getting ready to run my first 5k race soon. keep going at it you are doing great.
also i have not been to you site in a bit and i love the new header!
So proud of you for taking on the 5km program. Running is tough stuff! FYI – I was purple and had some sexy “boob sweat lines” after spin class tonight…..I think it maybe impossible to be cute after a good workout.
Even getting off the couch is a commendable effort, so well done! I tell you from experience, jogging does get easier. I am overweight too and have always hated running, with a passion. But I’m determined to lose weight and get fit, and a friend kept going on about the benefits of running, so I decided to give it a go (very reluctantly). First time, on a treadmill (which is easier than road running), I just managed a max of 4 minutes at an easy pace (in a walk/run session of half an hour). 4 weeks later and I’ve just successfully jogged for the whole half hour! I tell you what, I don’t know if I’ve ever been so proud of myself for a weight-loss/fitness related achievement. It makes all the pain and sweat and discomfort worth it. Keep it up!
The idea of doing the C25K scares the hell out of me, even though I am sure if I followed the program, I could do it. I can (without too much effort) run the Island Lap on the Wii Fit +, which takes about 13 minutes. It only takes me a minute or two to catch my breath afterward. But the idea of going outside and doing it where people can see me… ugh! Horrifying!
I looked like that on every weekly C25k group run I did with the team! To me it shows that you were true to yourself and got out there and RAN your best run. C25k is HARD! It takes a potato that was sitting on the couch and teaches that potato to run again….uh yeah, that is hard…the potato has to learn to let go of all the pain & mind trappings of “No, I’m too fat, potatoes don’t run” to “Yeah, I can do this, I know I can run!” 90% mental, 10% physical…your body WILL DO what your mind tells it to do. That’s why find your body/mind all those yummy oats will help!
I’m a C25k graduate and guess what? I’m going back for more! I start my second 10-week C25k session on 9/16 and am looking forward to it. Jan 2011 I’ll start training for a Half Marathon! This C25k training will change not only your body, but it will absolute change your life for the better if you let it! Go For it!
Try walkawaythepounds with Leslie Sansone. I combine her 5 mile work out with her 3 mile work out. I have also just combined 3lb weights to start toning my arms. They are in mile intervals and low impact. I absolutely love them. It is not an in your face kind of thing. She just wants you up and walking.
Best of luck to you!.
Good for you girl. I started running this year as well, and you are right, it’s damn hard! Don’t give up though. You can do this. Sign up for a race with a friend and commit to it. That’s what I did as I always give up on working out as well, and it worked! I ran my first 5K in June, I ran another in July, and I’m running another one in October! This coming one I’m doing with a friend who is also learning to run with the runningroom. We’re doing 10min runs/1min walk/10min run…and on and on..to get through it. It’s going to be graet. Girl…if I can do it, anyone can!!!!
I just found your blog and I love it! So I apologize for the late comment on this post as it’s about 2 weeks old now. I just wanted to say you are awesome! Running is HARD! I joined weight watchers 3 weeks ago and I’ve been combo walking/jogging/running in the gym for about 2 months now and I don’t think you ever stop looking sweaty and gross after!
. But it gets a little easier every day and the point is you are DOING IT! You are giving it a try and that is what life is about, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Just keep going, we are all rooting for you!