Even though I'm having a bad day with my training, I love the C25K and highly recommend it as a healthy way to ease into running. You don't want to go too overboard at the beginning and burn yourself out. We're in this for the long haul remember. As for the weight . . . I do Weight Watchers and have been a lifetime member since 1999. My weight has gone up and down over the years with pregnancy and a period where I stopped following the program. At the most, I lost around 60 lbs. with the program and exercise. This time I'm just back to lose baby weight (I put on 80lbs. with my son) and have about 10lbs. to go. It just takes time and commitment and effort. Take it slow and easy with the exercise. Eat right and it will get better. It never hurts to ask your doctor for advice either. Oh yeah, many health insurance companies offer discounts or rebates to join Weight Watchers or a gym. It is so worth checking into this. Good Luck! You'll do great!

I was in the same boat about three months ago. I've lost 25lbs so far. One thing that almost made me give up was that I didn't see results in my weight until 4 weeks later. I actually was gaining weight, and I was very discouraged. I realize now that the scale was going up because I was building muscle. Another thing that really helped me was that I started off using the elliptical at the gym. I did that for almost 2 months slowly building up, sometimes fighting with myself to just get in the car and go. I would tell myself "I only have to do it for 10 mins and then I can go home" but by the time I was there, then I could make myself stay longer. Eventually it will get to where you will enjoy it, I promise.

After a while I started jogging outside two days, and going to the gym three days. Now I've gotten to where I rarely go to the gym, except to use the weights. So, I'm not sure if that helped at all, but I wanted to tell you that after some time it will get better, and more fun.

It also helped me to bring my dog along, and you might pick up a copy of Runner's World. That magazine was a fun motivation for me also.

Hang in there! You can do it!

Same with me. I started using an elliptical machine when I sprained my ankle a year-and-a-half ago and I found it so helpful that I continue to integrate it into my training a couple times each week. This type of cross-training is an excellent way to build up your endurance and burn calories while reducing the impact that road running puts on your legs. You might also consider activities like swimming and biking.