Tips for beginning jogging?

[Desiree]

First off let me say that I'm thinking that this may be a dumb move! I know no one wants to see a fat lady jogging down the road. Bottom line is that I want to get active again, not just for losing weight, I mean for long term health. Eventually I would love to be able (health and mentality) to jog in a marathon.

Is there any tips that some can share for starting out with this? I never was a runner, unless you count the suicides I would do when we practiced for basketball and the laps we'd run for screwing up! Do I need to be able to walk consistantly before I start introducing jogging?

Any help/tips would be greatly apprecitated!

 

[DavidandDenise]

Desiree~

Jogging is something you can definitely do. You can start by slowly adding in jogging as you walk. Here is a program I hope you find helpful:

Couch to 5k

You can choose a 4 or 7 month program and you'll be running a 5k (approx. 3 miles) by the end of the program. It incorporates walking and jogging and gives you helpful hints and a schedule to help you meet your goals.

You can definitely do this! Good luck! Let me know if you have any specific questions about running; I'd love to help.

 

[Desiree]

Thanks so much Denise! I'm checking the site out now!

 

[Desiree]

Denise,

I've been exercising for about 3 weeks now (walking and strength training every other day). Do you think I could start on the 2 min. jog listed on the website in Month 2 starting today?

 

[DavidandDenise]

I say go for it and see how it feels. You're not a complete newbie so it should be fine. Just take it easy and don't get discouraged if you're a little sore tomorrow--that means it's working! Now I'm now encouraging you to hurt yourself; I say try it and then if you feel you need to back up a week go ahead. Good luck and above all, have fun!!!!

 

[Desiree]

Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to trying it out tonight!

 

[DavidandDenise]

Hey, Desiree! Let us know how it went tonight! Can't wait to hear--we're all here to walk (jog ) you through this! Take care!

 

[Desiree]

I survived! I didn't do nearly as bad as I thought. Of course, I did still huff and puff. I did just 2 minutes. I'll try that again Saturday and then again on Monday. (Hopefully by Monday it will get a bit easier!)

My legs dont hurt much right now. Of course, this could be a whole different story by tomorrow!

Thanks for your advice Denise!

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Denise,
Thanks so much for that link. It's really interesting, and gave me some good points to remember. I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I asked for some advice.

I started exercising on my treadmill on Feb. 9th and have been walking/jogging almost every day, as I really want to drop weight. But I can now see that rest is really important too, and it's not being a wimp to skip a day here and there to recover. I have also mixed in a weight program 3 times a week and have a pilates video that takes about 20 minutes. I think maybe I should plan to do the weights with the pilates three days, and alternate that with the treadmill workout, which I make sure lasts at least 45 minutes or 3 miles, sometimes more if I feel wonderful and just keep going for 4 miles. I mix up the intensity on any given day by changing the walk/jog ratio, and/or by using the incline.

This plan would still give me 6 days on and one day off, which should help me drop weight. (I've lost 9lbs and my goal is an additional 16 for a total of 25) Does all this sound reasonable to you? Thanks so much for listening!

 

[wovenwonder]

Way to go Desiree!

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Hi Desiree

My brother has been a runner for years so when I signed up for the (WISHCON) WDW 1/2 marathon for next year I gave him a call. He told me to start out slow and consistent and to build up the stamina and the leg muscles would get stronger that way too. He also sent me a clipping from his Runners World magazine with the following link to some great info for beginners like us www.newrunner.com . It has lots of great and motivating info! Good luck and remember to do your stretching afterwards, it really helps!

Cheryl

 

[wiskband]

How starange, I was just about to post a thread about jogging! I too hve a few questions..........
BUt first des............ let me tell you, you can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!

I began doing my WATP tapes and did them fine but they were just too time comsuming. I also just wrapped up a years memebership at curves. I stopped losing weight and found that both curves and the WATP tapes , I was just not sweating and have become so used to it! I have always had a desire to jog but, to be honest I am a smoker, I smoke about a pack a day for the past 15 years......I thought no way I can do this.

This past december while vacationing in FL, I was visiting my aunt , who lives in a gated community and thought, this would be a great place to try jogging! I did and boy was I ashamed!!! I could only jog about 4 minutes then would would alternate walking.

fast forward
As I mentioned my regualr routine was nolonger make me sweat and I assume that my heart rate was not going up so after going back and fourth, I bought a treadmill!

Now I am in the comfort of my own home and at my own free will can TRY anything!

The first time I used it I simply walked. I thought that there was no way I could jog no loess jog a few mile and on top of that be a smoker!

Third day into my treadmill, I pushed my slef to jog at 5 and 6 mph for 2 miles! And now that is what I can do!!

I cant believe it! I am serious I cant believe I can actually jog this!

NOW...........I know your all thinking about the smoking well.....like losing weight I have to be ready but I think that time is very soon.

I do huff and puff and can not light up until about a hour after jogging. BUT, I have really some to love jogging and I think it will ultimatley over come the love of addiction of smoking!

anyway............................................

If any of you joggers read this thread, I wanted to know if any of you ever smoked and how much of a difference it made?
Also, how quickly did you see a difference?

CONVINCE ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! lol



back to you DES.............. dont be afraid to try..... you made a comment about people seeing you jog, I know how ya feel JUST DO IT!!! youd be surprised!

PS. I think that perhaps a treadmill is easier as far as distance, because I assume that pavement is harder on your legs , as opposed to a machine that has shocks. OF course, I am not telling you to buy a treadmill, just letting you know that even I may not be able to jog 2 miles on a track even though I can on a treadmill.

Good luck and see how far you can go! keep me posted, we can do this together!!!

renee

 

[DavidandDenise]

Great job Desiree! Keep up the great work and stick to it!

DBD--I think your new plan sounds great! It's a good mix of strength and cardio and gives that important day of rest. Increase your jogging as you feel you can; you don't necessarily have to stick to a specic plan, unless you want that structure to follow. I think you should take measurements too b/c I don't want you to get discouraged if you see a gain due to increased muscle mass. Muscle is good and increases your metabolism. Mixing it up is definitely good--try it for a few weeks and see how you like it. If you ever feel guilty (which you shouldn't) about taking a day off, you can always just do something simple so you still get your rest, like just pilates or a short walk. Remember, have fun!!!!

 

[Desiree]

Jody: Thanks!

Cheryl: I'm going to check out that link! I'm hoping to make 2006's WDW Marathon!

Renee: I'm so clutzy, I'm sure that if I tried on a Treadmill, I'd bust something rather delicate! LOL But, when it rains, I'm sure I'll end up giving it a whirl at the gym. (I'll be the only one holding onto the bars). I do admit it did feel good to do that run last night. I am looking forward to Saturdays now!

Denise: Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can go and build up to!

 

[summersfam4]

lol, I was lurking about and noticed your comment about being the only one at the gym holding on to the bars and it gave me a good laugh, I'm not laughing at you, but at me because I have been running for four years outside now, and I just joined a facility with a cardio room three weeks ago. I have been using the treadmill ALOT and last night was the first night that I was able to run without holding on to the bars (I had previously been SOOOO embarrassed ) Note to you: Kelly consistantly walks like a drunk when not pushing the jogging stroller and seemed to run like one for the first couple of weeks on the treadmill. I think finally I have it down! So don't be embarrassed like I was because being on the treadmill without holding onto the bars seems to come with time. Also as for your comment about being the fat lady jogging down the road, boy do I understand that feeling, I've been there. I started jogging at 218 pounds and hated to hear a car passing me or heaven help me if someone I knew saw me, but to stay motivated I entered a race which happened to be a 10k. I don't think I knew what I was asking for untill I got to running three miles and realized I still needed to tack on three more I honestly wanted to give up, but I'm real cheap and couldn't let myself waste that entry fee and T-shirt, plus my mother-in-law and brother-in-law openly talked about how they didn't think I would make it, and they were not joking either (which made me decided to run the race even if I was in full cardiac arrest at the finish ) I think you should enter a 5k that will be running about when you will be at that point in your training it feels so good to get that T-shirt at the end with everyone else, and now I wear mine (I have about 6 now) when I'm running to let all of those cars who are passing me, whom I used to be afraid of that I am not just out running for a quick fix, I have ran 5k's and 10k's before (I'm proud). I now run the 10k annually (I'm sending in my entry fee today in fact) and I had lost a total of 80 pounds before I had my second DD, now I need to lose 6 more pounds to get to that point thanks to jogging, and thanks to jogging again I know I will lose it! So snjoy your jogging Desiree, and don't be embarassed about what anyone else thinks! You can do it, lose weight while doing it, and enjoy it!!

Kelly Just adding my 2 cents to let you know that you're not alone!

 

[pixiechick]

Hi Desiree! You can do it!

wiskband: sorry, I can't give you any personal feedback about smoking. I didn't exercise when I smoked! However, everything I've read indicates that if you quit, you will see benefits very quickly. Good luck! I quit smoking many years ago (2 packs a day) and haven't regreted it or missed cigarettes. It was just habit.

I used a different couch to 5k program and it is great! I started in January and could barely get through a minute of running (and I run slow!) This morning, I ran 4 miles and could have gone even further. I am amazed at what my 40 year old, overweight body can do! And I may not look pretty when I run, but who cares?! At least I'm out there! And, if they make fun of me...now I can catch them and beat them up! The program I used is coolrunning couch to 5k

 

[Desiree]

Wow.. Summersfan! You are my hero! Thanks so much for those words! I'm so psyched now! I would love to be able to prove to myself and everyone else that I could run and COMPLETE a 5k and eventually a 10k. Hopefully once the weight falls and I get more used to everything I will be signing up for one hopefully this fall! Back to the drunk walking thing. I couldn't pass a sobriety test sober!

Pixiechick: I just finished my 2nd 2 minute jog in 4 days. I really could have used some oxygen! You give me hope that it will get easier! Thanks! I'm going to check out the link you provided now too! How is your son doing? I miss our pms!

 

[pixiechick]

Originally posted by Desiree
Pixiechick: I just finished my 2nd 2 minute jog in 4 days. I really could have used some oxygen! You give me hope that it will get easier! Thanks! I'm going to check out the link you provided now too! How is your son doing? I miss our pms!

don't miss them so much, one's on the way!

it will get easier!

edited to add: I decided to run a 5k this coming Saturday. My first race ever!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

good luck in both the running and the smoking goals

 

[perfectmatch300]

This was a really inspirational thread for me to read! I bookmarked a couple of the couch to 5K sites mentioned, & once we move I'm going to try & get started on this. I would love to be able to do a 5K! In the meantime I will continue my workouts on the Gazelle & try to increase my speed there. I'd love to start this now, but with all the chaos in my life I just don't think the time is right at this point, but once we get settled in our new home I can't wait to get started. Let us know how you make out. It will definitely help me to stay motivated.