Intro and questions

[house]

Hi ladies (& gents?),

I mostly hang out on S&B. Tired of fighting my flabby pot belly with just diet. So I went to the gym and walk/run 1.5 miles. I am a beginner level. So don't judge. LOL! Can you guys give me advice where to start.. I mostly want to run. But, whenever I run, I get these awful muscle cramps in between my ribs.  Then I have to slow down to walking again. Am I doing something wrong?

Few H&F related background: I have never been a regular exerciser. I have gone 3 months straight and then cold turkey.

Heart disease runs on my dad's side. Out of 12 siblings 4 including my dad have had bypass surgery.  So I kind of don't have a choice and need to take better care of my body.

Can you share your favorite health blogger or useful links/apps that helped you? Thanks!

[gt7301b]

Couch to 5k (c25k) is a great place to start. I think you are on the right track, adding distance is a hard and slow process. Don't try and do too much too soon. You might also want to try running even slower, but there is nothing wrong with walking.

I also suggest signing up for a 5k to give yourself a goal to work towards.

Good luck!!

[labbie]

Hi and welcome!
Sounds like you are on the right track. I agree that Couch to 5K is a great way to start- mixing walking with running is a good way to increase your running time while staying injury free and giving your body the chance to get used to running.
For calorie tracking, my fitness pal is a great website and app. 

[bostonmichelle]

I agree with all of the pp's. Also start running at a slower level and work your way up to faster levels.

It may also have to do with eating or not eating right before working out. I know if I eat and then go work out I get cramps but if I wake up and work out on an empty stomach I also get cramps.

Once I was able to run a mile straight the mileage seemed to increase a lot faster than that first mile and then speed came as well.

[libbygrl109]

Hi and Welcome! I agree with following Couch to 5K. It's a great way to ease you into running. Also, when you do your running intervals, go at a comfortable pace, not an all-out sprint. That will help with improving the possibility that you'll stick with it. As far as the side cramps, it's something you have to play around with. You definitely want to stay hydrated throughout the day before you exercise, so if you're not drinking alot of water right now, you'll want to start. Feel free to post whenever you'd like about anything - they are a lot of awesome people on this board who are more than willing to help!

[finallykrisb]

Ditto everyone's recommendation for C25K.

For me, side stitches mean I'm dehydrated or that I'm breathing too shallow. I have found that often I can get relief by switching up my breathing and focusing on deep breaths. I'll breathe in for 3 footfalls and out for 2, or in for 2 and out for 1.

[derbycitycook]

Another rec for C25k. I successfully completed it about 4 years ago and ran 5ks, 10ks, 10-milers, and half marathons after being literally a couch potato. I'm redoing the program now after having a baby. It's a great way to build endurance without overdoing it. I do it every other day.

Good luck!

[mollyrunner]

Welcome! I know you said you like to run so I agree with the C25k recs, but I also think a group exercise class (spinning, weights, pilates, etc) could be a great addition. Great accountability and nice to mix it up. Enjoy!

[mainewifey]

Welcome. I don't have much else to add, but just wanted to say to give yourself time. If you have to slow down and walk some, so what? At least you're out there, and you're trying. The rest will come with time.

Maybe change up what you're doing before you run to prevent cramp ups. Try staying more hydrated, or maybe you're drinking too much water around the time that you're running, eating less, or a longer time away from when you'll be running, and try to maintain steady breathing.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

Everyone covered my usual beginner points, so welcome and seriously - we all started somewhere. We don't judge anyone in these parts.

[schitzengiggles]

Another vote for C25k. Just start slowly. One step at a time. Same goes for eating habits too, if you intend to make changes there. Start with making one adjustment at a time!

Also, I find it easier to get motivated if I know someone is waiting for me to run together. If you have a friend who would do it with you, that could really help. Or consider joining a running group if you can find one that caters to all levels. I lead a local chapter of a large free, national moms running group. Not sure if you are a mom or not but even if not, ALL women are welcome and there are truly ladies of all fitness levels. There are nearly 1000 chapters nationwide so maybe there is one near you....PM me if you are interested in hearing more (I don't know if its frowned upon to "advertise" a group like that on these boards?)

[mrshandy]

Welcome!

Couch to 5K got me to where I am today (running half and full marathons). Everyone has to start somewhere.

When I first started running occasionally I would get cramping too. Explore what you're eating, when you're eating, how fast you're running. Maybe try run/walking outside.

[house]

Thanks for the warm welcome ladies! Drinking enough water is a challenge for me. I usually don't feel thirsty unless I just ran or walked long enough to dry my mouth out. So I definitely don't drink water enough. Years (10+) ago I ended up going to ER due to lower back pain which I was told was due to passing kidney stone. Then I started drinking more water. Then forget about it again. Back to UTI that leads to another few months of "I better drink more water". I can honestly say most days I get max 3 drinks with each meal and I don't feel the need to drink water. Maybe I should set reminders for myself. LOL!

[house]

Mar 27, 2014 8:22:05 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Everyone covered my usual beginner points, so welcome and seriously - we all started somewhere. We don't judge anyone in these parts.

sessalee!! I remember you on S&B! Why don't you post OOTD's anymore?

[house]

Mar 27, 2014 5:59:56 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Couch to 5k (c25k) is a great place to start. I think you are on the right track, adding distance is a hard and slow process. Don't try and do too much too soon. You might also want to try running even slower, but there is nothing wrong with walking.

I also suggest signing up for a 5k to give yourself a goal to work towards.

Good luck!!

I was thinking maybe I can just stick to 1.5 miles 3 days a week for wks, and then 2 miles 3 days/week for another 2 wks. Is this going too fast? or too slow?

[mainewifey]

When I was first getting back into shape and starting out running I had a lot of success as far as weight loss/inches lost with just doing a mile a few times a week for a few weeks, and then I bumped it up to 1.5 miles, then to 2 miles.

I've never really gotten bit by the running bug, and I rarely ever run more than 2 miles at a time (there was that one time I got lost on campus, I ran 4.5 miles), but I can run a 5k with out stopping to walk.

I'm just now adding running back into my routine. I set the treadmill for 30 minutes and see how far I can go. Thus far, not very far! But I'm working on it!

[house]

Mar 27, 2014 7:09:35 GMT -5 libbygrl109 said:

Hi and Welcome! I agree with following Couch to 5K. It's a great way to ease you into running. Also, when you do your running intervals, go at a comfortable pace, not an all-out sprint. That will help with improving the possibility that you'll stick with it. As far as the side cramps, it's something you have to play around with. You definitely want to stay hydrated throughout the day before you exercise, so if you're not drinking alot of water right now, you'll want to start. Feel free to post whenever you'd like about anything - they are a lot of awesome people on this board who are more than willing to help!

This I never do. I never run full speed to the max. If I do I will probably fall on my face on the treadmill! LOL! The highest I can go now is at the 5.0 speed for a minute and then walk fast at 4.0.

[Deleted]

Mar 27, 2014 8:46:44 GMT -5 house said:

Mar 27, 2014 8:22:05 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Everyone covered my usual beginner points, so welcome and seriously - we all started somewhere. We don't judge anyone in these parts.

sessalee!! I remember you on S&B! Why don't you post OOTD's anymore?

For a while I was swamped at work, I couldn't keep up with my home board let alone S&B! I still lurk. I'm less busy, but felt weird posting again for some reason.

I can participate again! I do kinda miss y'all. 

[house]

Mar 27, 2014 9:19:20 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

Mar 27, 2014 8:46:44 GMT -5 house said:

sessalee!! I remember you on S&B! Why don't you post OOTD's anymore?

For a while I was swamped at work, I couldn't keep up with my home board let alone S&B! I still lurk. I'm less busy, but felt weird posting again for some reason.

I can participate again! I do kinda miss y'all. 

Yay! Looking forward to you coming back! And about feeling weird.. anyone IRL I have told I post outfits on the internet gives me this look which says it all "Weird".. LOL!

[house]

Mar 27, 2014 8:27:48 GMT -5 schitzengiggles said:

Another vote for C25k. Just start slowly. One step at a time. Same goes for eating habits too, if you intend to make changes there. Start with making one adjustment at a time!

Also, I find it easier to get motivated if I know someone is waiting for me to run together. If you have a friend who would do it with you, that could really help. Or consider joining a running group if you can find one that caters to all levels. I lead a local chapter of a large free, national moms running group. Not sure if you are a mom or not but even if not, ALL women are welcome and there are truly ladies of all fitness levels. There are nearly 1000 chapters nationwide so maybe there is one near you....PM me if you are interested in hearing more (I don't know if its frowned upon to "advertise" a group like that on these boards?)

I am a mom.. I have a 3 yr old boy.

IDK.. it can't be any different than talking about Meet up groups!

[gt7301b]

Mar 27, 2014 8:49:01 GMT -5 house said:

Mar 27, 2014 5:59:56 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Couch to 5k (c25k) is a great place to start. I think you are on the right track, adding distance is a hard and slow process. Don't try and do too much too soon. You might also want to try running even slower, but there is nothing wrong with walking.

I also suggest signing up for a 5k to give yourself a goal to work towards.

Good luck!!

I was thinking maybe I can just stick to 1.5 miles 3 days a week for wks, and then 2 miles 3 days/week for another 2 wks. Is this going too fast? or too slow?

A good general rule is to not increase your overall mileage by more than 10% a week.  So increasing to 2 miles 3 days a week would be a little more than that, maybe only do 2 miles once the first week and then twice the next week.

[taratru]

Welcome! It's awesome that you're starting to take better care of yourself!

Everyone has given you great advice, but I'd like to really emphasize the water thing. If you're a runner, you need water. You just do. Ways I get extra in: drink a glass first thing in the morning, drink one right before bed (and no, I don't have to pee in the night!). If you think it will help, then yes, set a timer to drink. I also have a water bottle with me all. the. time. Like anything, it becomes a habit. And it's one that can make a huge difference in how you feel!

[skwcm80]

Welcome!!

Another vote for c25k, it's a great starting point.

[thom]

Welcome and hope things go well for you! Wanting to get healthy & get on a consistent workout schedule is a big step in the right direction. I don't really have anything new to add to the great advice above.

Edit: I wouldn't say I'm a true health/fitness blogger, but I am chronicling my marathon training right now. If you're on the app, I'm at cowspotsandtales.wordpress.com

[boston340]

Welcome - glad you have joined us! I post some on the S&B board too.

My best tip for drinking more water is figure out a way to flavor it so you drink more. I usually add in a small splash of lemon juice in my glass of water or a flavor packet. That's a great way to ease yourself into drinking more.

[jene]

Welcome!

Do you like sparkling water? I like to mix that in so I don't get tired of just plain water