Started running today

[Jand3rson]

I've gotten to the point to where I'm sick of my physical condition. I'm out of shape, overweight for my height ('61" - 230lbs.), and just not happy with the way I look. TIme to loose the gut and get in shape!

For this first week (starting today), I've started with going for 30 minutes. I stretch for about 5-6 minutes, then walk briskly for 5 minutes, to get everything warmed up, then run at a comfortable pace for as long as I can before I start to get breathing to heavily, about 2 minutes. Then I walk until I catch my breath again, no more than 3 minutes.

This may seem like not very much to a lot of you, but keep in mind that I have always been pretty out of shape, and this is new to me. I hope I can stick with it, and lose some of this weight!

[M-technik-3]

Congrates glad you can make a change in yourself. Me, i just sweat 4 lbs of water weight in Iraq off. Ouch talk about being dehydrated. I like to ride my bikes for exercise, though as running is to rough on my knees.

[Court M3]

Congrats! I run my departments Physical Readiness Test program on board the ship. Usually my morning consists of a 3-4 mile run at around 0430 then it is off to work. PT for the rest of the department makes it at around 1100 for another 3-4 mile run. Hooya!!

[Ryan Stewart]

welcome to the club. Dont go overboard likie I did or else you will end up like a 170lb 5'10er like me. Im cutting back and doing more cross traning to build muscle.

Just watch your knees man, heavier people have a hard time with that when they get into running. Stay on grass as much as possible.

[SickE30]

Congrats Josh, I'm glad to hear that you are making a conscience effort to get yourself in better physical shape. Definitely stay on grass as much as you can. Best of luck to you man.

[Jand3rson]

I wouldn't really consider myself "heavy", it's mostly my upper body.

[Bill 84 318i]

Ha, I'm 5'8" 140lbs and I just started running recently (read: few days now) after no *regular* exercise for like, years. I was very active in high school, only did intramural soccer in college. I started mostly because I'm sick of feeling like a lazy bastard, and I love the feeling of being completely exhausted afterwards. Started out at about 2 miles...when I get that down to about 14 minutes, I'll move up in distance.

The only thing harder than starting running, is keeping it a regular habit. Good luck.

And invest in a good pair of running shoes! Shin splints are a terrible thing.

[trashcop 80s 80s]

Good luck man. I went through something like this two years ago. I was 17 and weighed 210 and I'm 6'. I started running 30 minutes, lifting weights for 30 minutes. I did this every other day. I also drank only water and no soda and started eating somewhat healthier. I went from 210 to 175 in 5 months. I kept the weight off for two years but I'm up to 180 right now because of all the beer I've been drinking.

[Ryan Stewart]

I wouldn't really consider myself "heavy", it's mostly my upper body.

It all goes through your knees mang.... Also find someone competent to help you get some "good" shoes. I dont mean that you have cheap shoes but there is a lot of getting ones that fit and that can save a lot of pain in the feet.

[318daily]

load up that [Insert portable music device] and hit the pavement.

Keep it up ! :up:

[spencers]

Re: Started running today

I've gotten to the point to where I'm sick of my physical condition. I'm out of shape, overweight for my height ('61" - 230lbs.), and just not happy with the way I look. TIme to loose the gut and get in shape!

For this first week (starting today), I've started with going for 30 minutes. I stretch for about 5-6 minutes, then walk briskly for 5 minutes, to get everything warmed up, then run at a comfortable pace for as long as I can before I start to get breathing to heavily, about 2 minutes. Then I walk until I catch my breath again, no more than 3 minutes.

This may seem like not very much to a lot of you, but keep in mind that I have always been pretty out of shape, and this is new to me. I hope I can stick with it, and lose some of this weight!

Keep with it man. Get down to a high/mid 5 minute mile like me. :)

[bmwannabe]

I just got done running, ran 10 miles in 66 mins. I ran 12 miles yesterday in 1 hour 20 mins. I run for a college cross country and track team though. Thus far I have logged about 600 miles since mid june. Best advice is to take it easy, strech alot, even when you dont tihnk you need it, and run at a pace where you can talk in short phrases. When you hurt one day, take it easy and dont be afraid to take days off. As for shoes, yes, buy new ones, youll thank yourself later.

[iXer]

Josh, I'm glad to hear that you've decided to change your situation!
I suggest that you alternate between talking a walk and riding a bicycle, I think it will make it less boring that way but also this saves your knees while you activate the largest muscle groups in your legs (and your body). Riding a bike really takes _all_ the weight off your knees.
I have a permanent injury in my right knee which forces me to stay away from long walks and running, my mountainbike can take me anywhere but I still can't push my muscles 100% in my right leg. Take care of your knees people!

I've "always" weighed about 75kg which I know is normal for my height (179) cm so I can imagine your situation as you're just a little taller than I am. You probably already know this but stay away from any sugar, especially the all-American soft drinks like Coca-Cola.. I once saw some figures of how much soft drinks (and ice cream) you Americans consumed per person, it was a whole lot more than us swedes. Water is your friend, I drink either water or milk on a daily basis which probably helps me keep my weight even when I'm not exercising a lot in the winter time. I hate soft drinks, too much sweet taste, must have to do with getting older as I used to love it as much as anything as a kid. On the other hand I love beer now ;)

/Mattias

[BMW BMXER]

welcome to the club. Dont go overboard likie I did or else you will end up like a 170lb 5'10er like me. Im cutting back and doing more cross traning to build muscle.

Just watch your knees man, heavier people have a hard time with that when they get into running. Stay on grass as much as possible.

Im 6ft 170.

Lost weight when I had mono can't gain it back for the life of me.

Excercise is good, consider long distance riding as an alternate routine too.

[Schniddy]

I'm 5'6 120lbs and im doing crosscountry this year to get in good shape for track. Im going to probably get up to 10+ miles a day in the comming weeks. Its hard, hope u keep it up cuase its so easy to just give up.