How thin do I need to be to start running?

Monster2

Monster2

New member
Hey, gang.
I'm 38 years young (OMG.... I've never said that before.... guess, I really am getting old..ROFL) , and wondering.... how thin should you be to start running.
I weigh 285, and I'm 5'10".
I haven't looked on the web, but that's next.
I'm afraid that if I started now, I might do serious permanent damage to my ankles, knees, hips, whatever because of my weight.
Thanks.
 
Monster said:
Hey, gang.
I'm 38 years young (OMG.... I've never said that before.... guess, I really am getting old..ROFL) , and wondering.... how thin should you be to start running.
I weigh 285, and I'm 5'10".
I haven't looked on the web, but that's next.
I'm afraid that if I started now, I might do serious permanent damage to my ankles, knees, hips, whatever because of my weight.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hi Monster,

I am 49 - my weight was 255 at 5'11". Just some history- I have always been heavy (330 pounds at my heaviest) - my whole life I was the fat kid. This past August just after my birthday, I decided that I have spent almost 50 years fat and I was really tired of it. So I started to make some changes. I started eating properly and running. I have never, ever been a runner. I was always the last one crossing the finish line in school and never an athlete. I started running in Sept of last year. I live in the country so I started running from driveway to driveway, then two driveways and so on. Now I am running 5 KM no problem - just working up to 10 KM for a charity run in March. I absolutely love running. I never ever thought I would but I do-lol. My best time for 5KM is 22 minutes. I would like to do the 10 KM in 50 minutes or less. If you take it easy to begin with and make sure you run with the proper stride ( heel - toe) so shin splints aren't a problem- anyone can run- unless their is something medically wrong. To begin with just take it easy and do what you can. It took me about 5 or 6 weeks to work up to 5 KM without stopping - and that was running everyday. Oh and the running helped with my weight as well - I am 192 pounds going down to 175 pounds ( I hope). I have lost weight in the past ( one time 100 pounds - diet only- no exercise) but this time with the running my body lost differently. I always had the love handles gained most of my weight around my middle. This time the love handles are much much smaller and the stomach is almost flat- except for some loose skin that I am working on. If you want to run - do it but listen to your body and take it easy at first. You can do this and believe me it will help with the weight loss as well. Good Luck!!
 
Thanks for the info.
Maybe I'll do a few minutes here and there, while I'm doing my treadmill workouts.
 
I agree with cowboy!

I hate running! I've never ran in my life, nor do I feel I'm fit enough to run...but I just started the "couch to 5k" program!

If you start off slow, integrating 30sec of running between walking, and move up! You can do it! Start off at a low speed, and no incline! And do it for 15 secs or 30! And then the next time, do 5 - 10 seconds more! You would be surprised where you could be in a month!

And cowboy is right! Listen to your body! If it hurts, slow it down! Watch your heart rate, and listen to what your bones/muscles are telling you! Also, sometimes you'll get pains from running that are the result of poor form! So, if you're finding your shins are hurting, or perhaps your lower back, maybe it's something that you'll have to be more conscious of, and improve your form :)

You can do it monster!!!!! We'll be running in no time ;)
 
Once upon a time, I ran quite a bit. I know I can do it... I just don't want to hurt myself.
I also believe there are very few things to help you lose weight that are more effective than running.
 
Hey Monster,

Cowboy and Tik have both made some really valid points! Just start off slow (jog for 30 sec, walk for 90-120 sec), do this until it feels easier, then gradually increase the jog time, and decrease the walk time. It'll take some time to get up to your goal distance, so be patient... It's better to take it very slow and avoid injury, than to try to do too much, too soon.

Like they both have already said above, listen to your body... if it hurts, stop and evaluate what's going on... it could be a form issue, or an underlying joint or muscle problem, so make sure you take care of it right away.

If you don't quite feel comfortable with jogging, try to apply the same type of intervals by doing 30 sec fast walking with 90 -120 sec easy walking and see how it goes!

P
 
I actually don't intend to start running now. I'm going to stick to "supplimental running"
I just might throw in a minute of jogging every 5 minutes to increase my overall workout.
I'm not comfortable running for longer periods of time, since I've had join pain before. Nothing serious, but I don't want it to get beyond mild pain.
Maybe once I get down to around 240 or so.
 
That's fair enough... You know your body the best, so if you don't feel comfortable running right now, then it's best to wait until you've lost some weight. Chances are, your joint pain will be less, the less you weigh.

There isn't really a strict guideline as to how thin you should be before you start running... everyone is so different that you can have someone weighing 250 that has no joint problems, then another person weighing 150 that has many joint problems. It's always best to do what feels best for your body!

Just keep up with the exercise that you're doing now, and eventually you'll get to the point where you feel like you can run again!

P
 
hi monster! i had never been able to run well but i started in january and can now do 30 mins straight non stop - a big achievement for me. one thing i would say though - after a couple of weeks running i had knee pain on the inside of both knee caps. never had anything like that before. i took the advice of a pharmacist, started taking a daily glucosamine and cod liver oil supplement, and didn't run for two weeks. however, during those two weeks i started using a cross trainer and continued to swim and cycle. i also started doing weights work on my legs - quads, hamstrings and adductors - to support my knee joints. after the two weeks my knees felt completely fine again so i tentatively went for a jog - and to my great delight was able to go really well, my cardio and possibly my form had improved from using the cross trainer and i now have no problems or discomfort in my knees after running. so the long and short of it is - based on my own experience i would suggest you go gently at first, use a cross trainer if you can get to one to simulate the cardio experience of running without the impact on your joints - think about alternating treadmill and cross trainer if you can to give your joints recovery time - try taking a supplement to protect your joints, and don't neglect muscle work to support your joints - especially knees and ankles. and if you do feel pain, then take it easy. good luck! hope this helps! xx
 
At school I ran track (800/1500) and XC but then nothing for 20 yrs. When I re-started runing at 230-240lbs I injured my knee by not listening to my body. Nothing serious but I think just the impact was too much after all those years of laziness.
I switched my cardio to elliptical and biking which as much lower impact as my weight dropped towards 200lbs.
I got back into the treadmill first, stretching out from 30 minutes to 1 hr ar a pace I could hold and then a few weeks ago (at 190lbs) I finally did a proper length run on the road (7.2miles) without any knee issues.

I still periodically get knee trouble but I'm much more attuned to listening to my joints now aftert the pain from last year.

I really enjoyed my road run but am aware that running on the road is a lot tougher on the body than on the treadmill (in a satisfying way).

My advice, listen to your body and rest your knees/hips and give your joints adequete rest. Perhaps build your endurance first with low-impact cardio like biking or swimming.
 
Done directly start out for running first do some workout at home and then start for an outdoor workout
 
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