Question:
Want to Start Running/Jogging

I am little over 5 mos out, I am down 90 lbs,,,I am currently weighing about 215 (started at 305). I want to start running, I want to hear from other post-ops about when they started, at what weight, how they started, a regiman to use...I really want to work my way up to about 5 miles a day. I already walk a lot, I live in NYC...Can I start now or should I wait till I am under 200lbs? HELP?    — heathercross (posted on January 28, 2003)

January 28, 2003
Hi Heather, Good luck on the running, at about 4 months post op I was down 60 pounds, and figured I would run/jog, needless to say I munched it hard, I'm now 8 months post op and down 110 pounds, and afraid to run/jog. I'm waiting till I hit goal, that way it won't hurt as much if I fall. (I've become a klutz) since surgery. Best of luck, I know it'll definetly speed up the weight loss.
   — tannedtigress

January 28, 2003
Several years ago I started running at around 195#, but if you don't have any joint problems it should be OK to start at your current weight. Try this link for how to begin: <p> http://www.kicksports.com/engine/2/2_3/index.shtml <p> Or try the www.ruunersworld.com site, they have some good advice and tips for beginners. BTW, I got out of the habit and now that I am 6 months post-op from my revision, I am trying to develop it again. Good Luck.
   — Ali M

January 28, 2003
OK, that should be <p> www.runnersworld.com <p> Darn typos.
   — Ali M

January 28, 2003
Hi Heather! I recently started running. I have a few tips that are REALLY good. I got them from the Complete Book of Running for Women, which I really recommend. (No, I don't make any money off the sale of the book ;)<p>First off, make sure you buy shoes that are right for you. If you get hurt (which WILL happen if you run in the wrong shoes--voice of experience here--especially if you are still heavy) you won't be able to exercise well at all. So close your eyes and write a check for some new shoes. Go to a REAL running store--not the kind with pimply teenage clerks who don't know anything--and get fitted. They should have you walk/run barefoot and also run in several pairs of shoes so they can see which will work best for you. I was really scared this would turn out to be expensive but I got mine for about $85 and it has made a world of difference!<p>Also, try to run on a forgiving surface, especially at a higher weight. Sidewalks are about the worst thing you can run on. Your knees will suffer if you run on concrete. Try to find a track (lots of schools are open to the public, and some parks have tracks) or use a treadmill.<p>Start slowly and build up. You are already walking a lot. Start running one minute out of each five for 30 total minutes (after warming up, of course). Up that one minute each week. Pretty soon you'll be running 30 minutes at a time.<p>And finally, be sure to stretch afterwards (not before). I forgot to stretch my quads the first time I ran and they were the only thing that hurt. Now that I remember to stretch everything, I don't have any muscle soreness.<p>I think if you are careful the weight shouldn't be a problem. And running will help it come off faster, anyway. Good luck!
   — ctyst

January 28, 2003
I started "interval" training when I was about four months or so post-op and a bit over 200 pounds (I'm 5'7"). "Interval training" means I started out by walking on a treadmill at 3.8 MPH (.5 incline) for two minutes, followed by one minute of running at 4.5 MPH, followed by walking 2 minutes again, running 1 minute again, etc., for a total of 30 minutes. Over the course of a few weeks, I increased my running speed. Then in the next few weeks, I walked 90 seconds, ran 90 seconds. A few more weeks of that, and then it was two minutes running, one walking. Eventually, I got the running up to 5.5 MPH, walking up to 4.0 MPH. I was told this would help me actually run, interrupted, but I didn't quite believe it even though I could feel it was great exercise just the way it was.<P>Last week, I tried running as long as I could without stopping, at a lower speed (back to 5 MPH). Made it for seven minutes of straight running. The next time I tried it, I ran for 27 minutes straight at 5 MPH (reduced to 4.8 MPH somewhere in there, to make sure I could keep on going). This is from somebody who started out running in orthopaedic shoes with prescription orthodic inserts (translation: bad feet) and is now in jogging shoes (still with orthodics, though). And is totally uncoordinated. So, I really believe in interval training now -- it works! I still mix it up though, and do the elliptical machine or stairmaster or cycle in between running sessions, so as not to wear out the knees or feet. That may be why it took me about four months to be able to run nearly half an hour (doing interval training maybe twice a week or so during that time), but I've had no injuries so far and you can really feel your metabolism working SOOOO much better than with just walking. :D
   — Suzy C.

January 28, 2003
Hi, I'm about 4 months out, down to 233 lbs from 294 lbs. About 2 weeks ago, I started jogging a little over 1/2 a mile per night. It's cool because it's a short distance and it's really refreshing! I also feel like I am actually accomplishing something because walking just isn't as intense. I think jogging is my favorite exercise so far!! It really is a full body workout: your arms and shoulders get a little workout, your abs definitely do, and you entire legs/butt get a great workout!! Good luck to you!
   — Iris B.

January 28, 2003
Hey!!! I'm a beginner runner also. I started last week and I'm doing the interval training. I started running one minutes then walking 1 minute. I'm up to two minutes now. IT IS A BIG CHALLANGE FOR ME. I'm 240 down from 324. I hate to start but, once I get going I feel really good. I've never been a runner and this is just one of the goals I wanted to complete for myself
   — vmckel3783