Some of you may have seen a new ‘study’ that insists women need to work out an hour a day AND be on a diet in order to avoid weight gain as we get older. This will almost certainly be followed by a ‘study’ that finds women get really freakin’ depressed when they read studies. An hour? Every day? Not most days – every day? Forget it. If you’re like me it’s not gonna happen every single day and there is no reason to get stressed out about something that isn’t gonna happen. Let’s just take the “it’s against my religion/day of rest” angle and all agree disregard that study, ok?
If you want to start exercising, you have to start somewhere of course. In my most recent exercise efforts, I started running. Slowly. I know it’s annoying to listen (or read) someone talk about running when you’ve tried it and found that it’s just awful, painful, boring and in general, just something you cannot do. I get that – because that was totally me. Totally me, that is, until a friend of mine recruited a bunch of very unlikely runners and introduced us to the C25K program from Cool Running.
C25K stands for “Couch to 5K’. COUCH. As in – you don’t currently exercise at all because you are sitting on your couch. The program is 9 weeks long and if you stick with it I am here to tell you that it works. Can I get an amen from someone else who has tried it? There is even a free MP3/iPod download that I confess I only used for about 4 weeks and did my own thing but the first couple of weeks it was crucial. You run when the guy says run, stop when he says stop, and listen to his weird-ish music for 20 minutes, 3 days a week.
I am still not sure if I can say I love running. I am getting there, but I do know that I would still be on the Couch (Potato) side of the C25K if it weren’t for the program. For more Things I Love Thursday (and a giveaway!), head over to the Diaper Diaries.
Big Binder 
I am so proud of you!!!
I really need to try this! I’m trying to make myself like running 🙂 This might just be the motivation I need! Great tip!
Amen–it works!! I did the beginner’s program back in November… now, 4 months later, I am running 5 miles, 4x per week, and training for a half-marathon. Best of all, I am actually enjoying running for the first time in my life. (The loud music on my iPod really helps.)
I subscribe to their feed via Facebook and LOVE it. I’m like you- just started running and I love the info I find through the feed.
this sounds great I am so glad that you are taking the initiative to try it
YOU…..ARE…..AWESOME!
Rock on! If you like C25k, you might like the book “Non-Runner’s Marathon Guide for Women.” It’s both HILARIOUS and inspirational 🙂
I read your comment over at Run Like a Mother. I’m new to running, too. I hardly consider myself a runner. Are you training for any race/run specifically? Or are you just running to get into better shape?
I’m going to run a marathon at the end of September. Sounds crazy, right? To jump right in to a marathon. I hope not.
Anyway, I just wanted to stop by & say hi!
@ S Club Mama Thanks for stopping by! I ran a 5K a few weeks ago, and I’m training for another in June and a 10K in October. Aggressive schedule for you – but I think wherever you set your goals is where you end up so that’s awesome!