Back to SW, this time with running! Anyone else??

[CatWJ]

Hello lovelies,

My first post!

I've been lingering for a while getting great advice from this forum and as of last week I'm back on the SW plan (did a brilliant few weeks earlier in the year and shifted 9lbs, some of which may have since crept back on...) and I also started running regularly a few weeks ago. My weight has been gradually creeping ever upwards and I am very unfit, the whole situation was starting to feel like a downward spiral. I tend to comfort eat and eat out of boredom, usually junk food and I was feeling rubbish physically and mentally because of it. Time to get in control!

So I'm back on plan, I'm doing EE (still can't believe we can eat so much!!), loving all the fresh fruit and veg I've used my heaviest ever weight and dream weight as the two ends of my ticker in my signature, it's a good pat on the back to see I'm already 10lbs lighter than my heaviest weight, it makes this all seem more achievable!

I entered the Eastbourne Half Marathon for next March on a bit of a whim and I've started running regularly - I'm surprising myself by really enjoying it! I'm struggling to find the time at the moment for the regular long runs I need to do in order to get my stamina up, but the shorter runs (well ok, running/walking combo) seem to be getting easier and more enjoyable which I'm taking as a good sign I think it will be easier to find the time as running becomes a more natural part of my life. The hardest part for me is how self-conscious I feel when running. I puff really loudly and can feel my bum and legs quaking with every step haha! I feel embarrassed running past people, although it is getting slowly easier. Hopefully one day I either won't care anymore, or I won't be wobbling!

I'm aware that starting to exercise at the same time as SW may mean my weight loss isn't always reflected on the scales, I'm planning to measure all the vital wobbly bits as well as weigh myself so I can gauge my body changing!!
Does anyone else combine SW with running? And am I completely mad to have entered a half marathon on a whim when until recently my main exercise was walking down the road from work to buy lunch?!
xx

 

[CatWJ]

Have I put this in the wrong place? Just found the introductions section...!

 

[Poppet12]

Hi Cat
Not sure on sections! I think you'll be ok here you sound really focused, and I admire anyone that runs lol. Hope it helps you to feel better!
If you pop into the slimming world off topic section I think there's a thread called runaholics anonymous that might interest you!
Good luck x

 

[CatWJ]

Thanks Rosiepops I'll have a look at that thread running isn't going so well this week - bad throat and chest urghh! Although looking out at the pouring rain I don't feel like I'm missing out!


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[AngelicBee]

I hope to work up to running I'm just a walker presently hehe well done, you sound fierce with focus and I look forward to hearing more about your journey x

 

[CatWJ]

Thank you AngelicBee, I've never been described as fierce with anything before haha! Walking's great too, I love getting out in the fresh air I always feel so much better than I do if I spend the evening being a couch potato. It's just getting trickier with the dark evenings now isn't it... I haven't been able to run for almost two weeks, horrible cold and cough keeping me indoors bunged up and feeling sorry for myself I might venture out tonight if the rain stops... fingers crossed!

 

[petal1978]

I to want to start running but struggling to find some decent clothes and shoes.

 

[Quins]

CatWJ, well done! What a great ambition. I've done some running in the past and still tick over. Consistency is the key, to complete the half marathon you will need the longer run and work up to about 10 miles as a minimum. 3 runs a week would be ideal with the longer run traditionally done in a Sunday morning. However, if that schedule doesn't work, just be consistent , run at least twice a week and gradually increase your mileage. I'm now cycling more than running, joined a club and absolutely love it but I still run on Wednesday nights when I take one of my kids to to their swim squad, no use sitting around waiting so I hit the raid for 3-5 miles. Just getting back into it, surprising how quick you lose the resilience to it, the run felt fine but the delayed onset muscle soreness was a bummer.

Good luck, keep us posted on your progress.

Petal, if you really want to run you can get decent enough clothing, shoes are very important to get fitted for your running style ( pronation, whether you need cushioning or support...) don't be put off by going into a shop specialising in running gear. The price of trainers can be a shock, but research a bit and stick to a budget, Xmas is coming! Depends how much you really want to get started with being a runner? You can start by walking a mile or 2, I did that and it led to marathons, 10ks half marathons.... All the best.
Quins

 

[becki2009]

Hey guys. I run. Well I started about this time last year. Mainly 5k runs. I stopped over summer as it was too hot for me. I've restarted just recently and hope to get back into running three times a week. It would be nice to keep in touch and motivate each other! My favourite running quote is ' somewhere someone busier than you is out running' ....I often use bad excuses not to go but that quote usually works!!

 

[Quins]

Come on guys , how's the running going? I've managed to fit in a 3 miler and 4 miler both hilly on roads along with my bike sessions ( 40 miles, 55 miles). Bit chilly last night, leggings , long sleeve , heavy hi viz , a buff on my bald head! Nice and steady running, averaged out at 10 min miling. How you getting on?

 

[becki2009]

I've done 8km this week if that's any good lol. I plan to go out again on Saturday and try another 5k at least!

 

[Quins]

That's great! 8 km about 5 miles. How are you finding it with the Sw plan? I get hungry a lot more with the exercise. I'm at my target weight and find that I don't stick rigidly to plan unless I detect that I'm wandering out of range. I find that I do well on original days, I add an extra hex b in too, so it's more of a low carb plan. I still have the odd green day pasta binge before a big club ride.

I did a random hill set x 2 on the stationary gym bike today. Was ravenous when I got home from work. Slow cooker shin of beef casserole with an 8oz jacket was gorgeous.

 

[becki2009]

That's great! 8 km about 5 miles. How are you finding it with the Sw plan? I get hungry a lot more with the exercise. I'm at my target weight and find that I don't stick rigidly to plan unless I detect that I'm wandering out of range. I find that I do well on original days, I add an extra hex b in too, so it's more of a low carb plan. I still have the odd green day pasta binge before a big club ride.

I did a random hill set x 2 on the stationary gym bike today. Was ravenous when I got home from work. Slow cooker shin of beef casserole with an 8oz jacket was gorgeous.

I'm loving the running. It's making me feel really good. Improves my mood too! I also find that I'm really hungry. Although I'm a hungry person anyway. On the odd occasion I seem to eat more ' because I've ran and it's okay to eat that extra biscuit' sometimes I need to take a step back and stay on plan. I've only extra done original days. Green days scare me looking at all the carbs. I like the look of red days though.
I'm hoping to lose a few pounds and get more of a shape to my body with running. I also want it to become part of my life and not turn into a chore like it has done a few times already.
That beef sounds like a good meal after a big work out!

 

[Quins]

Becki! no doubt about the feel good factor, the endorphins work! It was my turn to lead a group on a club run with my cycling club yesterday, a really enjoyable ride . Some challenging hills, windy but the rain held off. 52 miles with a sprint finish. I was hungry after that!