Fit Club: The Running Is Hard Edition

As I've mentioned before, I've been trying this Couch-to-5K running program.  I've been trying it for a long time - so long that a certain SB author who began just before me is actually running a 5K this week!  I'm not doing quiet so well...after about seven weeks, I am still on week two of the program.  Again.

I'm finding this very discouraging.  I'm not really accustomed to a lot of challenges that I can't overcome pretty easily.  An from a purely time-management standpoint, I've got it easy...all the kids are in school for a full day and I work from home.  So what's the problem?  It seems to be my body.  It just doesn't want to run for more than about a minute and a half.

I'm going to stick with it, for I'm sure that I can do this eventually.  I'd love to hear how y'all are doing, if you  are making any progress, and how you deal with frustration.

On the other side, my dear husband was recently home on R&R.  I only gained a few pounds despite a steady diet of hearty home-cooked meals and even heartier restaurant fare.  Now that he's gone again, it is time to straighten that diet out and resume making sensible choices.  While I'm excited about the progress that I've made so far, I'm a little worried that I won't be able to sustain it when he comes home for good.  So, please, share your stories!

Comments

[Marine Wife]

Guard Wife inspired me to start the program too. I lost a couple of weeks when I had a wisdom tooth removed, but got on track by repeating the last week I'd been on. I just finished Week 7 and couldn't be more surprised that I've made it that far! If you're having trouble, first have you checked with your doctor to make sure everything is good to go for running? Email me and I'll let you know what is working for me!

[Wife of a Sailor]

You ladies just pushed me enough to try this. Even though I'm a Navy reservist, I can't run worth a crap and really need to do better. I think I'm going to start it just as soon as I get back from a week of active duty.

[Married2theNavy]

Excuse me but why are we all so concerned about being fit? Is it our husbands pushing us. I have always been thin until i got married. Now my husband likes the extra pounds and has made it clear he doesn't want me to lose them. Is this a normal military guy thing?

[She of the Sea]

The only reason that I want to be fit is because I want to be healthy and live a long life. I think it is so sad when I see someone relatively young who is struggling with their health because they failed to take care of myself and I was seriously in danger of going down that road myself.

Looking better is a huge bonus for me, but my husband is smart to keep his opinions quiet :)

[Apryl]

Honestly it's about personal choice. I think it's something we can control..and in a MILSpouse world there really isn't alot we can control so why not be in control of our diet and exercise? I made a vow 42 days ago that I wouldn't miss one day of exericising..even if it was only 20 minutes on the treadmill. As you can tell 42 days later..I feel better about myself and have created what is hopefully a very good habit to take into the 40's.

[Married2theNavy]

ok. you ladies have given some very good reasons for working out. thanks. mayb i will start working out more too. good luck ladies!

[Guard Wife]

I need the endorphins, plain and simple. When my husband is not here to perform his husbandly duties, so to speak, I need to find my endorphins elsewhere and running delivers them quickly & plentifully.

I'm REALLY hopeful that I will be able to run the entire 5k. I have been sidelined with a sinus infection, but I can finally breathe and that does wonders for running. LOL

[She of the Sea]

Guard Wife - you won't even be able to imagine how many people from SB will be cheering for you tomorrow! You are going to do great!

[ArmyReserveWife]

Hi ladies. I have found for me that having some one with you keeps you going. I have been doing a walk/jog on my own and Saturday I did the Alexandria BC walk and I jogged quite a bit of it,I would jog then walk then jog. So it does take time. But I am very proud of myself I am down 20lbs. And I am getting fitter everyday. So She if you are having trouble get a jogging buddy! It is truly a God send!! Best wishes!

[Susan]

There is an iTunes podcast that I downloaded that does the week-by-week schedule for you. I had a really hard time tracking the time & running together... so now I just run when the music changes. It was a great help!

[Xtna]

I started the 5K program, but have taken some time off (from the program, not my workouts), because my knee was aching too much. I have also lost 20+ pounds with some more to go (yeah!)and am worried about when my hubby comes home on his midtour in December. However, we have both committed to making these lifestyle changes together and that is the key. There won't always be midtours, R&R's, etc. to detour us from positive changes; but there will always be something going on in life and it's best just to TRY and plan for it. And no it is not a military guy thing...it is a need-to-be-healthy-since-I-am-a-single-parent-thing. I am my kids only parent right now. Stay motivated, spouses!