Just about the time I started this site I decided to begin dieting.
Over time, the idea morphed from pure dieting to the idea that I’d focus on getting fit and hoped that weight loss would come naturally.
When I was younger I really enjoyed running, but between the Crohn’s and asthma it was something I stopped doing entirely but I felt like I wanted to pick it up again. The Crohn’s is now in a quiet period and my medication is keeping the asthma under good control so now seemed as good a time as any other.
I decided to act like I was starting from scratch and had never run before when I began looking for a running program, but most of the programs I found were either for just speed walking or training for long runs and/or marathons. Just as I was about to give up, however, I stumbled across the Couch to 5K Program.
In essence, CT5K is a program specifically designed for people just beginning to run. Over the nine-week course of the program it’ll slowly take you from a couch potato to being able to run 5K (3 miles) three times a week. I liked it because it was both free and its slow ramp up played well to the endurance problems I can have with breathing.
Well, I’m happy to say that not only have I successfully completed the nine-week program (it took me ten weeks because I repeated a week to build endurance) but I’m in better shape than I’ve been in years. In addition to the three days running each week I’ve been doing weight cross-training and have ended up with some nice definition as well.
On the downside, however, I didn’t lose weight – but I did lose a hell of a lot of fat in exchange for all the new muscle mass. Losing the fat was the real goal, so I’m happy.
All in all I’m really happy to be running and in good shape again and totally recommend the Couch to 5K program to anyone who’s interested in beginning to run.
For those interested, here’s an overview of my exercise schedule:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday – Running.
Tuesday and Thursday – Cross-training.
Saturday and Sunday – Kayaking.
