Knee pain and jogging - suggestions?

I'm almost 1.5 years out and have lost 115lbs and am ready for a real challenge. 

I'd love to try jogging but have frequent knee and hip pain and am fearful that jogging will make things worse. I like hiking and do it when it can but sometimes a long hike makes me hurt something fierce and it takes my knees a day or more to recover.

Also, the fact that I work on my feet makes it so I can't really let myself get out of commission.


Any suggestions? Experiences? 

Knee supports? What kind?

Joint forumla vitamins? do they work/make a difference? If so, any suggestions? (I HATE being forced to take more vitamins than food so minimal dosing would be great)

Thanks for any advice!!

Lucy

trial and error, and start out slowly.  unfortunately, most of us who run regularly end up having a knee/leg issue at some point during any year.  there are a lot of root causes and remedies, it is best to start slowly and work your way up, the most common mistake that leads to injuries is ramping up mileage too quickly.  a good rule of thumb is to keep your increases to 10% or less per week.  other than that, we deal with the issues as they come up.  good luck and welcome.

Slow and easy is the name of the game.

Pre-surgery, I used the knee braces when playing tennis (The kind that velcro around you and have metal supports on the side are the best you can get without having to go and have a doctor fit you for something ($$).)

Another suggestion would have to be decent shoes. I just picked up a pair of running shoes that I had fitted to me at a local runners' shop (who knew those places existed, right?). But if you're going to be trying something new, a help in avoiding injuries is to have someone watch your stride and evaluate what kind of shoe would work best for you. I didn't feel any pressure during the 'fitting' to buy the most expensive shoe (in fact, I walked out with one of the cheapest in the store).

The fitting included video taping me running on a treadmill, and showing me how my right foot pronates a little and could use mild stability in a shoe. Then I tried on about 5 pairs and jogged a little in each one to see which one was the best fit.

I'm not a runner at all (yet!), but my friends who run all recommend being fitted for shoes. They will support your feet, knees, and hips in the right way and help to reduce injury (provided you ease into running in a healthy way.)

Just my $.02.

Best of luck.

Chad