For a year or two now I've known that I needed to spend time keeping my body healthy. I don't eat badly, but I also don't eat well. I don't exercise, and I pretty much sit in front of a computer all day, come home and do the same thing at night. Of course this isn't healthy but I didn't know what to do. I don't enjoy exercising, and I did have work to do?I was stuck and I hated it.
A year or so ago I started hearing about a fitness program called Couch to 5k. It's designed to get just about anyone from the off the couch to running 5 kilometers or 30 minutes in just 9 weeks. I decided then that I'd do this program. Fast forward to a month ago when I started looking at the program in earnest. I downloaded a Couch to 5k app for my iPhone that would manage my workouts, I began planning my workout times and location, and I started looking for other people to train with.
I finally decided to just do it on my own as I couldn't find anyone to go with. More importantly I decided that I needed to own my health and not depend on someone else to help me. Couch to 5k runs 9 weeks, with 3 workouts per week. The premise is that you walk for some time period, then run for some period and alternate between the two. Today was Week one, Day one which had me running for 60 seconds, then walking for 90 seconds, for a total of 20 minutes. I felt like I was doing well up until about halfway when I realized I still had 10 minutes left to go. I made it through the first workout with labored breath abd rubbery legs. I still don't like working out, but I'd rather be inconvenienced for an hour a day and be around to see my kids have children of their own.
If you're like me and need to get in shape but are not sure how to get started, then give Couch to 5k a try. It might help you like it's going to help me.
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Awesome Andy! I enjoyed keeping up with Ray's C25k postings and am excited to see how it goes for you. Be careful though, some people actually begin to enjoy running and do things like sign up for races. I have been running regularly for about 3 years now. I feel like it is a great break from the "glowing rectangles". It's also nice to be able to keep up with a high energy 8-year-old at the playground.
Matt Williams - February 28, 2011 01:33 pm
Thanks for posting your experiences with this Andy. I have been meaning to try this as well. I have seen the steady decline of my health as I also spend day and night sitting in front of a computer.
Jim Anders - February 28, 2011 01:39 pm
Andy, I saw a sentence that I know you didn't intend to be wrong and normally I don't point stupid stuff like this out, but it's essential to the topic of your post. You wrote: The premise is that you walk for some time period, then walk for some period and alternate between the two. You meant walk then /run/. Enjoy the program; I've heard of lots of people have had success with C25K.
Aaron West - February 28, 2011 04:54 pm
Thanks for the encouragement guys. I really hope this works out. I might even end up liking it.
andy matthews - February 28, 2011 07:04 pm
You will feel better about yourself and your productivity will go up. Exercise is great for creativity. :)
John Gag - March 01, 2011 09:23 am
C25K looks doable. You've inspired me. I started Week 1 tonight and I'm not looking back. I've already changed my eating and have dumped 27 lbs since 1/1, so this is step 2. It has taken me five years to get motivated. I turned 48 on Saturday, so time is getting short. I'm still 50-60 lbs over weight. If I don't get fit by 50 I might not live to regret it. It took 13 years to get like this, so I know it will take time to turn it around. Maybe I should sell the couch... I'm hoping that the 5 minute warm-up walk will work the kinks out of the legs :-)
Colin Michael - March 01, 2011 08:46 pm
I wish I had known you were doing this. I could be your virtual partner. I am starting this today. Keep it up Andy
Connor - March 08, 2011 07:24 am
@Connor - I'm passing notes back and forth with Andy on this from my @ColinMichaelLLC Twitter account and I'd be happy to include you if you'd like. Being in different weeks is no biggie with this program. Week 2, Workout 1 is up for me tonight. Twitter support groups FTW.
Colin Michael - March 08, 2011 11:08 am
That's great! I just added you on twitter. Headed for workout 1 right now.
Connor Middleton - March 08, 2011 11:10 am
Well done Andy! It's hard when you do what we do. There really is no way around it...we sit on our collective arse for a living. In my situation, I also have 90+ minutes of commuting on each end of the day. Then you come home to little kids who don't care how bad you need to go workout. The *only* thing that has worked for me is bicycling for part of my commute. I ride about 13 miles a day when I leave the car at home (with bus/train in the middle) and that manages to keep me relatively fit. Is it an option for you? It would make good cross-training for your run.
Tim Duggan - March 29, 2011 10:07 am