Hi! I just joined this site myself looking for a little motivation and support. I am new to running as well. I started the C25K in mid November and with all the holidays and stuff, I just finished W5D1 on 12/31. It felt pretty good doing exercise on New Years Eve, but I am always looking for things to keep me motivated. I too started this program to lose weight, get healthy and find an activity I can stick with. I never thought running would be something for me, but the training factor has kept me going. I want to be able to jog a 5K after I finish the program- again, something I have never done. The weight part is also a challenge, as I thought it would be coming off a little faster- but I am only down about a pound (but my calves are super toned now. LOL!) So if you are doing anything in the diet area to help please let me know- I am always looking for something that works and I want 2008 to be healthy year. Good luck to you!

BB063 - Welcome! The C25k program is excellent and helped me tremendously. Ben is right. Shoes are important and, if you are concerned about the cost, you can always go to a "Shoe Forum" or "Shoe Carnival" type place and try on all the various kinds they have. I found I like a more contoured shoe (Saucony) rather than a shoe like as Asic. You also should get a shoe 1/2 larger than the normal size. Also, if you don't go to a running store, do a little run back and forth to get the feel of a shoe (it's what they would do in a store anyway). Good Luck. Join the thread and hey, for anyone starting, post in Newbie Cafe once in a while so we can cheerlead!!

ecuturtle:

I hate to say this, but I am so glad someone else has found that they have lost very little weight doing the C25K program. I am on week 6 day 2 and essentially have lost about 3 pounds. I have also been watching what I eat these weeks as well and keeping a food journal. I really was expecting more weight loss. I think the issue for me was I was relying on the C25K program alone as excercise, and in the beginning, you really are only excercising 20 or so minutes a day 3 days a week. That must not be enough for me to lose weight, so I have added 2 days a week (min) of some type of cross training.

I use myfooddiary.com; it is a site where you can not only track what you eat, but track your progress and calories burned through excercise. It is 9 dollars a month, but it can really open your eyes to how many calories you are taking in- I was shocked at the calorie content of some of my "Healthy" food choices.

Are you finding the running program hard at all? I know that I can feel the issue of my weight in week 6- got through week 5 well, but I think my weight is a real factor now a I am finding week 6 to be a challenge. I have been able to do D1 and D2; but I have to admit, I am fearful of Day 3: running for 25 minutes! I did the 20 minutes last week, but 5 extra minutes seems quite daunting! Anyways, just wanted to share a similar experience and let you know that you are indeed not alone! Best of Luck!

Alissandrya-

I finished W5D3 last night and it was tough! I did end up walking some around 12 minutes and then the last 5 I had to walk about 15 seconds every so often. I did better than I thought and not as well as I had hoped though- if that makes any sense. But I am glad I did it!

I am overweight and I think it definitely inhibits me sometimes. I have not (thankfully) had any real pain through the 5 weeks, but I am constantly working on overcoming my mental obstacles. Since I've never been an athelete (or really enjoyed exercise) I have had to overcome all the self doubt and negative thoughts- it's an on-going battle Although I have made it through the 5 weeks, I've definitely had to push myself to keep going. Plus, the weight not falling off makes me frustrated!! I guess I just thought initially that since I was exercising again it would be coming off. I had to do the math and realize that it wasn't really as much exercise as I thought it was. I still haven't got to exercising on my off days, but I am working on it.

As far as food goes, I was doing low-carb up until Christmas eve, which was why I frustrated with only a 1lb loss. I gave myself a break through the holiday, but I haven't gone back to low-carb yet. I was planning too start yesterday too, but I had a birthday party last night and it didn't work out so well I am also considering going back to Weight Watchers. Now I am kind of up in the air about what I want to do.... I agree with you 100% about food journals. Are you following any particular plan or just watching your calories??