TOTALLY NEW TO RUNNING.. VERY UNSURE AND VERY OVERWEIGHT!

hi im kim.

 

and im about to start the c25k this week in a hope to lose alot of weight( about 8 stone)  and get fit! ive never been a natural runner but im going to give it a go. any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

i am struggling to find a decent sports bra for larger women, and recommendations?

 

many thanks

Comments

  • Just RunJust Run ✭✭✭

    can't make any recommendations about the running bra but good on you for posting and getting into running. Plenty of unnatural runners on here. Keep the thread up to date with your progress!

  • Hi Kim, also can't help with bra but is there a parkrun near you ? Very very friendly, free 5k every Sat. People walk, trott or run it. Wonderful even if you go down to Marshall. Great to see you getting into running
  • Hi Kim and welcome image

    Try your local running shop for that bra, sure they could offer some advice.

    Congratulations on taking up running.  Keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.  

  • 1. Given that you are very overweight I would check with your doctor first to see what intensity of exercise he/he recommends initially.

    2. Start by walking before you build up to running. Be prepared that this might take a few months but your knees will thank you for it. 

    3. Get fitted for proper running shoes in a proper running shop.

     

    Good luck!

  • Completely agree especially with scream above. Shoes are very important.
  • I agree with scream. Also, you won't lose weight just by running, you need to change your diet. If you find it hard to do that on your own, you could try weight watchers of slimmers world, or see if the nurse at your GPs surgery can help with weight loss.  

    good luck 

  • Agree with Screamapillar and mathschick! Also re sports bras - lessbounce.com is really good! They have a wide selection of bras/sizes and do free returns so if something doesn't fit properly you can send it back and try a different one!

    Good luck xxx

  • Dependant on how overweight you are and how sedantry your life style wax before, think you'll notice a big weight loss initially, eating healthily will obviously help but the initial decision to get out there and do it is fantastic. Great thing about parkrun is the versatility of the differing types of people that do it. There certainly will be people in your situation, you won't be alone
  • Good luck! Be in it for the long haul, you can do it!

  • Nose NowtNose Nowt ✭✭✭
    Bellabee wrote (see)

    Agree with Screamapillar and mathschick! Also re sports bras - lessbounce.com is really good! They have a wide selection of bras/sizes and do free returns so if something doesn't fit properly you can send it back and try a different one!

    Good luck xxx

    Really?  An online shop might have a wide range, but selecting one in that way sounds a nightmare to me.  (a man!).  

    On-line shopping has its advantages, but there's little doubt that we tend to accept items that are only 80% - 90% OK - because the item is there, it's paid for and it's a hassle to return it.  If you buy from a shop, most people will be much happier with a purchase, so it will last longer and give greater functionality / pleasure in use.

    Some things are better to buy on line than other things... but I'd have thought that a bra, and especially a sports bra, would be way down the list of good things to buy on line.

    There must be a much bigger element of "trial and error" when selecting via email.  And so much more temptation to say "ok... it will do".

  • Nose NowtNose Nowt ✭✭✭

    As for the OP....Well done.  All good advice so far. 

    Physiologically, there are 2 key things you need to do to develop as a runner... one is your heart/lung capability, and the other is your muscular-skeletal system.   Your heart/lungs will probably 'get fitter' at a quicker rate than your legs - and it's important not to overdo it.  

    If your c25k programme tells you to run 1.5 miles... then don't run 3 miles just because you're feeling so great  (yes, you will feel like that at some stage!).    Your bones and tendons need time to adapt, and that involves, for example, improvements in bone-density and changes in tissue strength and shape.  These things happen slowly... and if you overdo things, you can pick up niggly injuries that set you back 2 or 3 weeks.  So, be patient.

  • Run Wales wrote (see)
    Really?  An online shop might have a wide range, but selecting one in that way sounds a nightmare to me.  (a man!).  

    On-line shopping has its advantages, but there's little doubt that we tend to accept items that are only 80% - 90% OK - because the item is there, it's paid for and it's a hassle to return it.  If you buy from a shop, most people will be much happier with a purchase, so it will last longer and give greater functionality / pleasure in use.

    Some things are better to buy on line than other things... but I'd have thought that a bra, and especially a sports bra, would be way down the list of good things to buy on line.

    There must be a much bigger element of "trial and error" when selecting via email.  And so much more temptation to say "ok... it will do".

    I agree! But many shops fail to stock larger sizes and/or have a limited range. The OP stated that she was having trouble finding one so was just making a suggestion. 

  • Nose NowtNose Nowt ✭✭✭

    Fair point Bella.

  • booktrunkbooktrunk ✭✭✭

    Good luck, just remember I know it's dull but the diet is still key to actually loosing weight.

    Runing is awesome for making you feel better, toning the whole of your body, and for helping your waistline shrink, but you won't automatically loose weight just by running. 

     

    Good luck.  It's great when you get into it, just remember the first month is the hardest it does get better after that.

  • If you haven't previously been doing any exercise and you start even just walking a couple of km a day then you will see a weight loss in the first few months, but in order to really lose those pounds it is all about diet and exercise in equal meassures.

    I started running in January and have dropped 8 kilos so far.   But I also stopped drinking any alcohol Monday to Thursday/Friday.   I don't snack between meals and if I do it it is dried fruit and nuts mainly.   I don't eat that much food but heck do I like my wine!  That was where most of my calories were coming from so I quit....except for the weekend!!

    I am also larger and I found that Adidas do the best sports bras for women - no fastenings that can dig in and hurt and/or break and they really hold everything in place.   I play rugby in them and run in them and they work a treat!!

     

    Good luck with the running/walking/exercise/diet!!

  • Hi Kim,

    I started c25k last week and so far so good.

    I too have a lot of weight to loose. I have lost 3 stone just from changing my eating habits

    but knew I needed to start exercising to loose more. 

    For years I had been dreaming of running but the embarrassment factor and horid school memories totally put me off. I also used every excuse in the book no time, no money, blah, blah, blah..........

    Not really sure what got me out there finally but I just went for it.

    My only regret so far is not buying the correct shoes. I did buy some running shoes from Decathlon but they are not right for me. They have given me terrible blisters which is now hampering my enthusiasm. I can't afford to buy more the moment but will asap!

    I am just following the podcasts and hoping for the best.

    Keep us posted x

  • What is C25K? 

    I've been running on the treadmill for a few years now but never managed to push myself to run outdoors - although I know it's much better for fitness levels. I've signed up to the Royal Parks Half Marathon in October to spur me on.

    My difficulty is always will-power and motivation. So any programme that helps with that would be great! I keep telling my friends to encourage me but they're all too willing to let me stay in and drink wine rather than go out for a run image

    Good on you Kim though! Why not try some group exercise classes as well? That's when I'm at my most motivated!

  • Nose NowtNose Nowt ✭✭✭

    C25K  stands for 'Couch to 5km'  -  and is a programme (or collection of similar programmes) with the aim of getting complete beginners to get off the couch and able to run 5K.   It's ideal for people like Kim - or anyone who really does no running (or no exercise).  Once you've got to running 5K, the sky really is your limit.

    So for you, who already runs, I'm sure you need to find one of the many beginners' half-marathon training programmes you can find on the net.

  • royal running - you need some friends that run!! have you got a running club near you? Depending on what you perceive to be your level of running, there are clubs that welcome beginners and slow people as well as fast people, it can be a case of choosing wisely.

     

  • What's happened to the OP by the way?  She's had plenty of encouragement but not been back to reply.

  • Thanks Run Wales and Maths Chick! I'm based in North London so pretty sure there are clubs I can join but I'd like to get my confidence up a bit first. I have a friend who will train with me but she's very fit and I'm worried about holding her back by being a bit rubbish! We have booked in a trial run around Victoria Park next week - will see how it goes.

  • I'm a very unnatural runner, had to struggle very very hard to get to even 2k to begin with, now I run 20k regularly, just takes a bit of grit and determination, once the sense of achievement kicks in there will be no stopping you! Good luck!!

  • Hi Kim

    I would agree with Run Wales about the online buying of sports bras, except that Less Bounce is a very specialist shop, and Selaine (the owner) is extremely good at offering advice on the right bra for your size and intended activity. I personally wear the Shock Absorber Run, and find it very good.

    As someone who was previously 8 stone overweight, and is now over 5 stone down, it is possible, but you need to make sure that you take it at your own pace. Couch to 5k is brilliant, but remember that you can take it at your time and repeat weeks if you need to.

    If there's any way you can find a local running group with a Beginner's section, consider going along. I used to think that people had to be of a certain standard before they could join, and I couldn't have been further from the truth. Joining a club, and having the encouragement of others was the best thing I could have done, and I wish I had done it much sooner. (Running my first Half in 16 days time!).

  • I too can recommend Less Bounce and also Bravissimo or Boobydoo for sports bras. They all do a far wider range of sizes than most shops offer.  I have never been able to get a sports bra in any of the running shops as they don't carry all the available sizes which is very annoying at times.  All of these will be able to provide advice if you are not sure. Depending on where you live Bravissimo has shops as well and may be able to help you if you don't know where to start. I am a big fan of Shock Absorber Max support.

  • Run Wales wrote (see)

    As for the OP....Well done.  All good advice so far. 

    Physiologically, there are 2 key things you need to do to develop as a runner... one is your heart/lung capability, and the other is your muscular-skeletal system.   Your heart/lungs will probably 'get fitter' at a quicker rate than your legs - and it's important not to overdo it.  

    If your c25k programme tells you to run 1.5 miles... then don't run 3 miles just because you're feeling so great  (yes, you will feel like that at some stage!).    Your bones and tendons need time to adapt, and that involves, for example, improvements in bone-density and changes in tissue strength and shape.  These things happen slowly... and if you overdo things, you can pick up niggly injuries that set you back 2 or 3 weeks.  So, be patient.

    This is excellent advice. The only thing I would say is don't be put off by Run Wales's words. It might seem a struggle at first, but you might be surprised at how quickly you do improve, even though the improvements will be little ones at first. You have a natural support base here, and if you keep telling this forum how you're doing, it will make it easier to get out and do the exercise when you don't feel like it. Good luck.

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