EXTREME BEGINNER...contemplating running for cardio - advice appreciated!!

I got back on the scale one week ago, after discovering that my jeans were tight, to find that I had gained 15 pounds.  I was MORTIFIED.  SOOO very scared that I was destined to become the "fat chick" again.  Funny how our brains never forget.  (as a side note - I have gotten the eating back under control.  Water, water and more water, protein and very limited carbs!)  I lost 3 pounds this past week - YEAH!!!

I have been doing pilates 5x a week for a year.  Well...  took 3 months off in the summer which is where some of the gain came from.  Pilates is great for strength training/stretching and I really did reshape my body somewhat, but CARDIO is the key (I think).  I was doing all Pilates and NO cardio so I was building some muscle but no fat burn.

I am THINKING about starting to run. SO many people in my community are doing it.  5ks, marathons and Iron Mans are the big thing around here.  I have always hated to run (not sure why, maybe the weight or the size of my chest).  Think I might try it again using the www.c25k.com web site (www.coolrunning.com).  It seems to really work you up slowly so it is designed for beginners.  (Couch to 5k - hence the couch part).

I have 11 more pounds to get off just to get back to my lowest weight.  I really need to go about 10-15 pounds below that though.  I am starting today - I think.  Leaving on a cruise on Saturday, so no promises during that 5 day period, but I will get right back on track when I get back.  The old me says to wait until after the cruise to start ANYTHING but the new, slimmer me says that I have 5 days to burn some fat!!!!  (Yeah, new brain).

I need all the encouragement and advice that anyone can give me, so please post at will.

Oh and Happy Labor Day,

Chris

Hi Chris,

You can actually continue your weight loss on a cruise.  Most cruise ships have the best gyms available.   Take your cutest workout outfit, and do your thing.  And what most people don't know and I found out this summer on a trip.  The gym is where all the cuties are. (who knew)

I wish you the best.

 

I think that a majority of us here are happy graduates of the couch to 5k program.   I started it last summer and used it to train for my first 5k last fall and I've got my second half marathon coming up at the end of this month....and I was FAR from being a runner when I started.  The best thing about the C25K program is it allows you to repeat weeks if you  need to, so you can do everything at your own pace.  Make sure you've got a good pair of running shoes - try to get fitted at a running store if possible...it's well wort the investment!!

Good Luck!!

Katie :)

Do the couch to 5k it is wonderful and it really works! I can now run 4 miles without stopping. Working towards 5. Julie

Couch-to-5K rocks!

And I always lost weight on cruises when I was at my heaviest. I think it was because having meals at certain times cut out a lot of snacking and then you end up walking so much.

Is there any aerobics classes on the cruise?  Also hit the gym there...And stay away from the Midnight Ice Cream Bar!!!  If you find running not your forte...look into bicycle riding.

I also very highly recommend Couch to 5K.  Honestly, I'm amazing myself... I'm 45 and have tried to run sooooo many times in my life.  As a kid I was hampered by exercised-induced asthma.  My legs could have gone forever, but my lungs sure couldn't.  As I grew out of that, I unfortunately grew outward until the lungs were fine, but the legs couldn't do what I wanted them to!  I started tentatively trying to do my own run/walk thing a couple of months ago, and 6 weeks ago started C25K.  The structure of the program helps immensely, knowing exactly when and how much to increase the running. 

As of two months ago, I could only run two minutes max without stopping, and the most I'd ever run in my entire life was one mile.  ONE time, and that was in high school and I honestly thought they were going to have to call an ambulance for me then 'cause I could hardly breathe.  That was freshman year.... here I am 30 years later, starting Week 7 of the program, and running just shy of two miles in 25 minutes straight, and loving it!  

Try it, and I bet you'll constantly surprise yourself with what you're able to do.  And good luck!  

Love love love the C25K program....I have repeated a few times...for example week 4, I just couldn't get past the mental thing...5 whole minutes!

Yesterday I did Day 1 of Week 5, it has 3 five minute runs...I did it....without thinking....tomorrow I get to do the 8 minutes and am already starting to freak myself out....it's all in my head...but I love it!!!!!

Did you purchase the program that you can download?  I think it is 19.95 or something like that?
I keep looking into it but can't really decide.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Liz

What everyone else said!

Like Katie, I started couch to 5K last summer, ran a 5K in the fall, did my first Half WITH Katie (go US!) in June and am now working on my 2nd!  

Mixing running with Pilates is a great way to look and feel great!!