I have stalled in my weight loss the last couple of years. Althought I have not gained which is awesome I have become way too comfortable...I decided to get busy. I am currently on week 3 of the couch to 5K program. I also go to Zumba 2x's per week. To hold myself accountable I also registered for a 5K at the end of October. Anyone else doing this or just starting out in a running program?

Yeah, week 5 looks really tough on paper even when the first 4 have been smooth sailing. What I am amazed by is how tough you think it is / would be in your mind but then you try the session and it doesn't end up being any harder than the previous ones because the program has prepped you so well for it.

I'm slowly going from the 'what? No way can I run that much!' mindset when I read the next week's schedule to realizing that I can easily do whatever they've laid out for me because they've conditioned my system for it. I'm also 320+ lbs currently so it's like I'm running with a 90 lb backpack on.

So I just finished week 4. I'm pretty proud of myself (I also got up early since I don't work today and ran outside while it was still like 70 degrees. I loved it. So much better than the treadmill)

But that's not the point. I've been doing ok so far. I run really slow but I'm not worried about it. What I am worried about is that running for 5 minutes straight is pretty tough and the last day is 20 minutes straight? I'm pretty terrified of this. Who's done it and was it easier than it sounds? I'm really determined to get through this program and I don't want that to hold me back....

MLR, there's a reason why you work up to it. 20 minutes may sound impossible now, but by the time you get to it, it won't seem like nearly so big a deal. And that might be the most amazing thing--the fact that you'll remember you couldn't even conceive it before, but by then you'll be ready!

Thank you! I am terrified right now. But when I get out and do it and if I can get through it I will be amazed and super proud. I'm almost excited

Seeing "run for 20 minutes" really took me back but it wasn't really hard. If you stick to the program, it preps your body. It just takes your mind a while to catch on. I ran 22 minutes the other night and it was the first time I'd run for 20+ minutes straight in over 21 years. I hadn't missed a session in the program until the start of this past week (week 6 of the program for me). Then the flu put everything on hold for several days. Now I'm wondering where to start back, week 4?

I'm so glad to hear that there don't really seem to be any problems running that long!

As far as where to start back I would say maybe a week if you don't feel comfortable with where you left off. Maybe just repeat week 5 again since the first two days of it are still intervals. But that would definitely just be wherever you feel comfortable. As long as you keep going!

I finished week 5....I was really shocked because I intially thought I would have to repeat week 4. I am amazed everytime the run time increases and I am able to push through! I am really starting to see that this is as much a mental thing for me as it is physical...The weather is supposed to be beautiful here on Monday so I plan to do my first outside run

Yuck to the flu...I would jump back to where you left off and see how you do!

Keep it up everyone...I wish I had become this active 3 1/2 years ago right after I was banded!!

I just finished the 20 minute run!! It was challenging, but not in a way that I felt like I couldn't do it. I probably could have even kept going... I'm so excited that I did that! I just started this 5 weeks ago! Haha. Now I just need to take my car out and figure out how far I ran in that 20 minutes lol. I hope everybody else is doing well with it!

Hooray! I knew you could do it!

Also, if you have a smartphone, there are lots of apps you can download to track your distance. I really like CardioTrainer on my Android. Otherwise, you can try a pedometer or some other small device to carry with you, if that would be easier than going back to drive the route in your car. Just an idea.