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I'd echo most of the above sentiments. Start with brisk walking, do some cycling, elliptical, swimming etc. More of your low impact stuff. Then you can work up to doing walking/running intervals (like couch to 5k).
Running/jogging is high impact and if you hurt yourself (more likely with extra weight and stress on joints) then you're far less likely to maintain motivation for exercise.
I had a friend doing triathlons when she was about 250 lbs. It took her a long time to work up to that and she lost almost 100 pounds in the process.
I disagree with someone who said 5k is a good place to start. If you are obese and mostly sedentary, do not get out and try to run 5k all at once the first time. The Couch to 5k plan works, according to people I've spoke with.
Talk to your doctor and start slow. Just don't stagnate and keep running the same path and the same distance forever.
I can vouch for the Couch to 5k program. I took a little longer than the suggested time period, but went from someone who had never run in my entire life to running a 5K (without stopping) in 16 weeks.
I am obese and was thinking about running this summer. However, I don't think it is possible since my body isn't adapted to any kind of running at all. When I see pictures of runners they are all extremely thin. I never see anyone running that is obese.
That is absolutely not true. You can run but you have to start slowly..Maybe at first do more like fast walk and then easy running until you will be ready for something more.
I am obese and was thinking about running this summer. However, I don't think it is possible since my body isn't adapted to any kind of running at all. When I see pictures of runners they are all extremely thin. I never see anyone running that is obese.
Baby steps. Start by doing regular walking, increase the time and the distance you walk fairly regularly, after awhile start doing more fast paced walking, just this alone should cause you to drop some weight if your diet is in check. Once you've been doing this for a month or two, start doing light jogging, first for 5 minutes and then 10, 15, 20 minutes....etc.
You'll work your way up to it in no time. Make sure you do consult with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen, particularly if you're taking any sort of medication, also make sure to buy some comfy running shoes, this is markedly more important when you are overweight. Go to a New Balance store or another place where someone can help you find the right fit for your feet.
Maybe start off by walking short distance first, even if its just around the block. Take it slow but continue it and slowly build up each time a little longer and quicker.
Start slowly! I'm pretty chunky and I can jog slowly for a couple of miles. The trick is not to get your heart rate sky-high early in the run, or you'll have to stop. Buy a heart monitor and aim for 65% of your maximum heart rate (that is, .65 x [220 minus your age]). I know there are more sophisticated formulas but that one is pretty good.
I keep my heart rate closer to 80% of maximum but that's just me being macho ;-)
I recommend couch to 5k. This is a great plan that alternates walking and running till you can run for 30 minutes.
Here is a link: C25K: Couch to 5K
Not sure where you are today. For me, starting with "walking" is pretty useless. I walk a lot just during my daily activities (Per my step tracker, I average over 80k steps a week, it is rare for me to have under 10k in a day).
A few tips. I am still making my way through. And I have started, stopped and get sidetracked. The first go round, I found the first couple days were fine, then I hit a wall. And it was my shoes. I got some running shoes, and the foot pain went away. Now I don't have much foot pain to deal with. I am a special case as I have occasional bouts of plantar fasciitis. Mine isn't so serious that I have bothered to go to a physical therapist, as it lasts for a few days and goes away as long as I wear the right shoes. But finding the right shoes is critical and there is no overlap between shoes to run in, shoes to walk far in, and shoes to workout on gym equipment in.
One thing that isn't too helpful for me, is that I live in a hilly area. Finding a flat route near home is hard, I have found the flattest choices, but there are some gradual inclines. This makes my legs more tired, and I need a rest day! Depending on if your legs are "strong" you may find it helpful to combine the 200 squats workout with your running. Or run on the street instead of the sidewalk. The pavement is hard and a softer surface helps.
And definitely take your rest days! It is w=easy to get injured. This happened to a friend of mine and she needed knee surgery. My goals are a 5k and possibly a 10k. I also know those are distances that are easy for me to walk.
So if you can walk 45-60 minutes at a pace of 20 min per mile, you are fine to start running in my book. If that is too hard for you right now, start with walking, build up your speed till you get around that time and speed. Then do couch to 5k.
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