Am I too heavy to run?

I have to confess I've always been jealous of those people you see running in the morning. They seem so happy and free. Well about two weeks ago I didn't feel like doing my regular cardio dvd so I just strapped on some runners and decided I'd go for a fast paced walk around the block. After about 10 minutes something inside me just whispered "try running for a bit" and so I did. I had to hold back this smile that wanted to burst out on my face..I was running! It was hard, I had to really focus on breathing and my chest was burning a bit but I kept pushing myself "just one more block" "get to the end of this block and you can walk again" and well I did it. I was huffing once I started speed walking again but I felt really good. I've done it a few times since, but I'm just not sure that I should be running at my current weight, am I too heavy to be running so soon? I can't run for long, maybe 1 -  2 minutes max..and then I have to walk again.

I'm 5'8" and 204lb...I'm sure it's bad for my knees at this weight, and needless to say it feels like my entire body is bouncing with every running step. What do you think, should I wait to lose a bit more weight before I run?

I say go for it!  The best exercise is one that you enjoy, so if you like to run, then by all means do. 

A few words of advice:  If you haven't already, check out the Couch to 5K Program for beginning runners.  Lots of people here have done it and had great results.  In case you aren't familiar, it's a program designed for beginning runners that gradually takes you from no running to running 5K (3.1 miles.)

Given that you are a little heavier than the average runner, make sure you have a very good pair of shoes that support your feet in the correct way.  The proper shoes are the best defense against common running injuries like knee pain or other pain.  If you're serious about running, a running store can do a professional shoe fitting (though it's expensive.)  Or, you can do it yourself - check out the running shoe fit guide at Zappos.  With running shoes, you generally do get what you pay for, so if you need to purchase new ones, buy the best ones you can afford.

And finally, make sure that when you run, you are using proper form.  Proper form is another way to avoid most injuries.

I "discovered" running about a year ago (I am 5'3 and was around the mid-160's at the time as far as weight,) and I'm hooked.  If you like it, DO IT! :)

Original Post by stellaluna78:

I'm 5'8" and 204lb...I'm sure it's bad for my knees at this weight...

It's bad for your knees at any weight.

Original Post by stellaluna78:

I have to confess I've always been jealous of those people you see running in the morning. They seem so happy and free. Well about two weeks ago I didn't feel like doing my regular cardio dvd so I just strapped on some runners and decided I'd go for a fast paced walk around the block. After about 10 minutes something inside me just whispered "try running for a bit" and so I did. I had to hold back this smile that wanted to burst out on my face..I was running! It was hard, I had to really focus on breathing and my chest was burning a bit but I kept pushing myself "just one more block" "get to the end of this block and you can walk again" and well I did it. I was huffing once I started speed walking again but I felt really good. I've done it a few times since, but I'm just not sure that I should be running at my current weight, am I too heavy to be running so soon? I can't run for long, maybe 1 -  2 minutes max..and then I have to walk again.

I'm 5'8" and 204lb...I'm sure it's bad for my knees at this weight, and needless to say it feels like my entire body is bouncing with every running step. What do you think, should I wait to lose a bit more weight before I run?

I say - YEAHHHH for you!  Keep doing it and DO check out the couch to 5k.  It is a good program.  What I like is that you are really doing interval training with your short sprints, so that should help you lose alot of weight - and you enjoy it - what a great plus!

I say go for it.  I started running after my 3rd child ,weighed in at 230 lbs and 5'8".  I lost an amazing 45 lbs and have kept it off.  I have ran 4 half marathons and 2 full.  I am not fast but I can do it.  A good friend of mine once told me...Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must. Just never give up.  Good luck!!

im with you on this stella im 222 pounds and really want to get into running again so i started the couch25k last week i couldnt do all the programme for day 1 2 3 but im going to keep at it till i can.good for you girl

im with you on this stella im 222 pounds and really want to get into running again so i started the couch25k last week i couldnt do all the programme for day 1 2 3 but im going to keep at it till i can.good for you girl

Maybe you should start out small...that's what I'm planning on doing starting monday maybe start walking more if you already are maybe pick up the pace who knows... or go at it full throttle just be careful!

Too heavy to run?  No way.

I was 6' and 255 lbs. when I started. I mostly just walked at first and ran a little bit at the end. By watching my diet and slowly but steadily increasing my pace and distance I lost 85 lbs.

Walking and running outside can be very motivating. Each week you go a little faster, run a little further. One day you're driving past your regular route and you think "wow, I walk all this way, good for me!"

I say go for it.

That is AWESOME !! good for you

I am 5'7 230lbs and I walk 45 minutes 6 days a week.. during that I will do four 1 minute runs and it feels amazing. I started with just one 1 minute run and now I am up to four. I space them out like every ten minutes.. I have lost 17lbs in just 4 weeks. Keep it up, but also listen to your body. Congrats!

Congratulations finding an activity that you enjoy. Even though I am not over weight I do suffer from bad knees and hip joints after years of running with improper support in my shoes (I am completely flat footed). My doctor suggest 3 things

1) Fast walk instead of running. There is no pounding on your joint and you burn basically the same amount of calories. However I ran competitively and this was not an option for me.

2) My doctor suggested that if I am intent on running that I should always invest in a good pair of running shoes. To be clear theses are not cross training shoes or aerobic shoes or basketball shoes but shoes specifically designed for running only, and only run in them. You can purchase a good pair from a local sport store or running store. I good sign you are in a good quality store is when the sales people will even help you pick out the correct shoe for your gait.

3) Even more important the doctor stressed was WATER.  Imagine a sink sponge is the cartilage in your knees or hips, and the sponge is full of water and you scrub a dish, mainly the sponge squeezes out the water to lubricate the contact between the sponge material and the dish, thus Lessing the damage caused to the sponge. Now imagine a slightly damp sponge and you scrub a dish because there is less water lubricating and reducing the friction there is now more wear and tear on your joints.

I would say that along with a good pair of running shoes, a great running bra is a must for women.  www.runnersworld.com has reviews on equipment for women.

definitely do the fast walk, and not running. Running puts too much added stress on joints that really none of us need. give your knees a break and back and everything and walk fast. A fast walk can equal a slower jog if you do it right. 3-4 mph. you will thank yourself later. I had back surgery in feb. of this year, a major fusion, I laughingly asked my dr. if I would ever be able to run. His answer. well you could, maybe in a year, but why would you. You will do just as much good, and less damage by brisk walking. heis very skinny guy and he says he would never run. I don't blame those that enjoyit, if it is for them, well so be it. but why put the stress if we don't need to.......lonestarpenny  by the way. I have lost 70 lbs, 56 of those since feb. 4. by brisk walking, swimming and pilate type exercise. alot of it though. was doing as much as 15-18 hrs of workouts per week,  at one point, switching up swimming and walking. need to get back there. right now I am at about 8 hours a week........ swimming is my favorite exercise. did you know that 1 hr swimming at med pace  burns 666 calories an hour, no wonder I lost more weight when swmming. walking about 2.5 miles an hour burns 333 calories. good luck. and  hang in there.....

when I started running I was 5'7'' and 265lbs. I had to start by walking .50 miles run for .25 miles. I would do this for a 3 mile stretch. then every time I went out I would try to do more running than I did the day before. So far I have lost 57.6 pounds and I can now run for 8 miles without stopping. I would recommend you buy a heart rate monitor and in order to find an a target range for you, and focus on finding a comfortable pace to run at. I wish you the best of luck and remember the best things in life are never easy, the higher the price the greater the reward.

Slow and steady wins the race.  You are probably not too heavy for running, but you will need to go slowly with the conditioning.  As you lose weight you will decrease the stress on your knees.  1 lb lost equals 4lb less stress on the knee joint.  The couch to 5k program recommended is a good schedule to follow, but be forgiving to yourself at first.  Listen to your body and try not to push it.  As you lose weight you will find your speed and enduance increasing and you will find it easier to run.  I would also recommend combining resistance training with running to maximize your overall workout and weightloss success.

You probably have more advice than you need now, but let me put in my 2 cents. I have been over 200 pounds for about the past 10 years (I'm 5'10'') and was able to jog (key word is "jog," not run) a marathon when I weighed 220 (it took me 5 hours, 59 minutes). I was passed by a fair number of people who used the run/walk method -- they ran a mile, then walked for some time. So you can continuing running a bit, walking a bit all the way to the finish line of a marathon!! (though you should know that this irks the most competitive athletes).

I agree with those who are encouraging you to build up to running...interverals are a good way to build up...on a track, you would walk a 1/4 mile at slow pace, 1/4 mile a little faster, the next a little faster, then repeat. And you can do that on treadmill, too....

I don't want to discourage you from jogging outside, but a treadmill can be a wonderful controlled setting where you can ramp up/build up your fitness/skill level...you can see exactly how fast you're going and monitor your distance easily, etc. But one drawback is that a treadmill is not as difficult as running on the road (ie. I'm guessing it's about 80 percent as difficult, but I don't know for sure; suffice it to say it's not completely equal to jogging outdoors). The treadmill has been my best friend since I blew my ACL out  (knee) playing volleyball a year and a half ago.

Pay attention to your form...try to relax, keep your head up and land your feet gently (rolling heel to toe) to limit the pounding on your feet, ankles, knees and body. The looser and gentler you are with your form, the better for your bod.

Like other larger women, I found very quickly that one bra would not suffice. So I have always worn a sports bra on top of a regular bra. They seem to complement each other and keep me in place. Everyone has a different trick, it seems.

Chaffing in different parts of my body was an issue when I ran longer distances...between the thighs...arms against torso...you can reduce the friction and resulting sores by putting vaseline in the trouble areas. I also wear the undies that extend down over my thighs. I hate getting sidelined by chaffing.

If you're going to jog a lot, get running shoes with good cushion...Give your feet a warm soak to reduce the aching that can come with pounding....It feels awesome.

But I'm probably getting way ahead of you here. But I'm excited for you because I gained great confidence and self-respect in jogging farther than anyone ever thought I could. Don't be afraid to tackle hills -- in fact, I found they were the best way to build heart strength and strong legs. Repeat hills are the best!!

As you lose weight, you will find that you can cover the same distances faster. It just happens naturally.

Enjoy your runs ... There are few things you can do that will help you get and stay healthy.

Thank you everyone for your responses, feedback, and encouragement - it's such a great community! I'm very motivated to get back to fast walking with my little jogging stints. I looked over the Couchto 5K program and it looks logical but for now I just want to work up to that beginning at my own pace. I agree that brisk walking is a great workout, but i've never ached like that in my thighs as when I did the running a few days in a row. It seems that burst I need from my thighs and calfs really amps up the workout.

The biggest reward for me when doing my runs is the self confidence I'm building. Being able to block out the world and focus on my breathing and form when I'm wearing leggings and knowing people can see my body jiggling down the street.

Pgeorgian also has a really good learn to run program, I don't think it progressive as fast as the couch to 5k

http://caloriecount.about.com/users/pgeorgian /171382.html