advice about c25k, shin splints and motivation

carrighead

Hi,

I'd really appreciate some advice,

I have recently lost 2 stone, i was nearly 16st and I would really like to lose another 3 more but i have stalled at 14st for the last 6wks or so. I am getting frustrated at the scales not moving, so 4 weeks ago I started doing 4mile walks and 2 weeks ago started the c25k.(i have been really enjoying the running so far) I would love to join the gym but financially I am in no position to do so. So the problem is my shin bones are killing me (shin splints), I am so eager to keep going but it is constantly sore at this stage. I'm nervous that i will lose my motivation if i have to take a break for too long.

so how do i keep my motivation? how to get the scales moving in the right direction? and how long will i need to stop my walking/jogging for. btw i'm a woman if it makes any difference.
I am also wondering am i too fat for running?

thanks a mill

Oryx

Ideally you should make sure youre wearing suitable running shoes and get a sports physio to work on your legs and show you how to rehab them. Both involve expense though.

But youre doing well so far. If you can walk without aggravating the calves, do that. Investigate some strength and mobility exercises - youtube is your friend here.

But continued weight loss will probably need you to reexamine your diet. It may need tweaking now youve lost the initial weight.

The main thing is to keep up this momentum, its all going the right way!

SamforMayo

Oryx wrote: »

Ideally you should make sure youre wearing suitable running shoes and get a sports physio to work on your legs and show you how to rehab them. Both involve expense though.

But youre doing well so far. If you can walk without aggravating the calves, do that. Investigate some strength and mobility exercises - youtube is your friend here.

But continued weight loss will probably need you to reexamine your diet. It may need tweaking now youve lost the initial weight.

The main thing is to keep up this momentum, its all going the right way!

Good advice there, find some stretches online if you cant afford a physio. With running you need to build up slowly so repeat weeks of your programme if necessary. Running on grass may help lessen the impact. If you cant run/walk at the moment find a different exercise, again utube is your friend here. The good people here can give more advice on diet. Oh and well done, 2 stone down is a great achievement.

nice_guy80

well done on the weight loss

do workouts at home.
loads, and loads, and loads of stuff online - videos and other stuff

carrighead

I just want to say a genuine thank you for all the replies, i never in a million years would have thought about youtube. I came across the BeFit channel and I'm going to try some of their workouts. I also went for a 5mile walk this morning and the shins/calves were ok. So i'll take the good advice and go back and do week 1 of the c25k a few times before I progress further. I'd love to be able to afford a physio and some good runners, as soon as some money is free i will prioritise one or both if i can.

My first goal is to run a 5k Parkrun before christmas, so fingers crossed

thanks again x

Mink

Fair play to you and keep it up. When I first started c25k, I had awful shin splints for the first couple weeks. I got some decent runners (usually Nike Air or Asics tend to be best support for running) I got terrible looking ones in a sale but I didn't care as they fit great and supported me.

I also shortened my stride a little as I was overdoing it a bit, this helped and was more comfortable. And lastly I stopped running on concrete pavements. Tarmac or non-lumpy grass.

Haven't had shin splints since.

If you are going to do any work outs from online tutorials, watch it through first and when you first do it make sure your "form" is okay. For instance if you're doing squats and the instructor says make sure your knees don't go over your toes - make sure they don't! Go as slow as you need to til you are comfortable with the form. This will help prevent injury.

AntiVirus

I suffered from shin splints for about 1 year. I would constantly run through the pain even when it felt like my bones where about to snap. I'd come back and **** in the shower running the cold water over my shins. I'd try taking a break for 2-3 weeks but they would come back pretty quickly. One day I went out in my other runners by mistake and didn't get any pain so I switch runners and have never had any shin splints since then and that was about 3 years ago. That was the only thing I ever changed!

pinkypinky

If you are not already using a podcast of c25k, the NHS Choices one is quite good for motivation, with music and a person coming on to say encouraging things every now and then.