7 replies to this topic

[jennyberling]

I am in my first week of the book "Run Your Butt Off" and I love it! It is written for people who have never run before, and for people who are overweight. It is so encouraging and helpful since I really don't know what I am doing! So here is how it goes, each stage is at least 1 week (3-4 days) but can last as long as you need it to:


Stage 1 - Walk 30 minutes
Stage 2 - Walk 4 minutes, Run 1 minute, repeat 4 more times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 3 - Walk 4 minutes, Run 2 minutes, repeat 4 more times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 4 - Walk 3 minutes, Run 3 minutes, repeat 4 more times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 5 - Walk 2:30, Run 5, repeat 3 times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 6 - Walk 3 minutes, Run 7 Minutes, repeat 2 more times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 7 - Walk 2 minutes, Run 8 minutes, repeat 2 more times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 8 - Walk 2 minutes, Run 9 minutes, repeat 2 more times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 9 - Walk 1 minute, Run 9 minutes, repeat 2 more times, walk 3 minutes
Stage 10 - Walk 2 minutes, Run 13 minutes, repeat 1 more time, walk 3 minutes
Stage 11 - Walk 3 minutes, Run 30 minutes

I can't imagine being able to move beyond stage 3, but I know I will be able to if I stick with this plan. It's really neat to see the before and after pictures of the people who did this for 12 weeks. Most started around 200 and lost about 10-20 lbs, but their bodies looked so different. They no longer had bulges, their bodies although still no at their goal weights looked leaner and smoother. I could use a little of that! I have done 2 of the 4 workouts for stage 1. I have the 3rd one scheduled for tomorrow, but I am really tempted to go today because I like it so much.

I would love to have some people who will join me in doing this. Anyone in?

[jennyberling]

Still looking for people who would want to join me. I would to have a group of us doing this together!

I did my 3rd 30 minute walk yesterday. I am really enjoying this. I am a little nervous that I wont be able to move to the next stage after my 4th 30 minute walk tomorrow, but I will try! If I can't do it, I will do as much as I can and then switch back to walking only if I have to for the rest of the 30ish minutes.

I've decided that I need to stay on relatively flat land to do this because my shins hurt for days after I did the big hill. Once I can run on flat land, then I will beginning trying to add in hills. This means that I have to either walk around my little block 3-4 times or drive somewhere since my neighborhood sits on top of a steep hill. But there are some great walking paths nearby.

Also, I am finding it a little difficult to keep my kids happy for the entire 30 minutes (I use a double running stroller). Any ideas that don't involve food??? They do like when I have run in the past, so hopefully the little bits of running will help keep them happy. The book says not to bring your kids, but as a stay at home mom, I just don't have any time without them, and I am too tired after they are in bed.

[jennyberling]

Also, I am loving RunKeeper app on my phone. I am able to program each stage so my phone tells me when to walk and when to run, it's nice not having to look at a watch.

[JWinATL]

Jenny: I want to think about this! I have done my own modified version of this. I will print this off and try it. I can already do the 30 minute walks, but I will start at the beginning! Your point regarding flat surfaces is good. Rome wasn't built in a day. I ran on the ship when I was on my cruise, and my shins barked at me afterward. I was on flat land, but it was steel!

I think I will give it a try! You are days ahead of me!

LOVE, JILL

[Pattylynne]

Hi Jenny,

Maybe I'll join you...I've actually been thinking about starting a running program. I started working with a personal trainer in November and I'm getting stronger. However I have not developed a consistent pattern to my workouts. It would be a good idea to start ... let me think some more ... will definitely tell you by Saturday April 30th because if I'm going to start Sunday May 1st sounds like an excellent start time.

By the way congratulations on your weight loss so far and way to go on stepping out of your comfort zone to start this running challenge

[jennyberling]

Oh Yeah! That makes me happy to have some people interested in this too. It will be nice to be able to encourage and support each other.

My husband wishes that he could run with me, and so do I. But he hurt his knee in November and the doctor said it would be at least 6 months until it is better, which it is not yet. At his last check up, his doctor said that he couldn't do any standing workouts, because lifting weights while standing will mess it up again. And since long walks irritate it, he definitely cannot start running. Poor guy, used to be able to run for hours at a time before we met (ex-military). So although he is supportive, I just don't have anyone to do this with me here, so it will be really nice to have you guys doing it with me.

[Pattylynne]

Hi Jenny,

Well its time to stop thinking and just do so I will start my new running program on Sunday. I plan to dust off my old copy of Coopers Aerobics book and get started with his plan. So I will keep you informed of my progress.

Have a great day!

[jennyberling]

How is it going ladies?

I went on vacation for 4 days. I didn't stick well to eating JC even though I brought all my food. But I was pretty good with portion control. I was so surprised when I saw that I had a loss while travelling. This has never happened. I usually gain a lot. I also was able to fit in 2 of my workouts. I finished up stage 1 on Sunday. And started Stage 2 on Monday. It was so much easier than I thought it would be. I was surprised every time the 1 minute was up. There was a bit of discomfort because my body is just not used to doing this. Even though my shins and Achilles tendon were really sore, I pushed through it. And I really loved it. It felt so nice to know that I had run 5 minutes total. Because of the vacation I got a little behind. So I tried to take my kids to a trail nearby, put them in the stroller, and do my workout. However, this trail was so hard that there was no way I could run. I tried 3 or 4 of the five times, but only made it to 1 minute 1 time. So instead of counting this as my 2nd stage 2 run, I have decided to make it just an extra workout for the week. I think I burned more calories than any of my walk/runs so far though.