I did this in 3 months when I was 48 years old. I started in August and couldn't even run 1/4 of a mile without gasping. On Thanksgiving Day that same year, my hubby and I ran the Human Race 5k in Utah. I certainly wasn't fast but I did it and finished. It seriously was one of the hardest things I've ever done but so worth it to accomplish that goal.
I really needed this video. Feel like I’ve successfully organized my pantry, freezer is full of meals, but I HAVE to get moving! Thanks for adding the Friday fitness videos to your mix. 😊
I will never forget the first time I went on my normal 4 mile run that was always very difficult and for some reason - that day - it wasn’t. I ran and ran. Never walked. I actually extended my run. I ran home and told my husband and I was in disbelief
I’m not a big commenter, but here’s the thing. Christine you have helped me so much. I admire you a whole lot. You’re hilarious, fun, supportive, and inspiring. I love to cook and clean and organize. Watching your videos is my favorite calm down relax thing. I have seen some of your videos at least 20 times 😳 but it’s too good not to repeat! I am NOT a runner. I used to be relatively active but have fallen off the train. You have inspired me to consider running. I think it would help me feel great and healthy to be in better shape. Thanks for all that you do! :) Ps. I wasn’t excited about fitness Friday’s because I always felt they didn’t pertain well to me because I’m only doing low impact light short workouts two days a week. I’m not even close to anything you do. I would love if you could do more beginner or workout motivations.
I know of a great fitness program that is great for beginners too: Leslie Sansone's Walk at home cardio exercises. You can choose between different difficulty levels: ranging from 10 minutes/1 mile to 45-50 min 5K exercises. It's not just walking, there are exercises built into it, but they start very gradually and easy to follow. O have two kids, and I like that program because I can follow it even when my children are running and shouting around me, trying to distract me. In some longer exercises, there is some jogging and a little jumping, but in the majority, there is no jumping. Knees up and kick up exercises help to move the muscles in the abdomen too, do you can work on your middle part as well. Similarly, twisting one leg before/behind the other helps to work on your sides. I try to do as much knees ups and kicks as I can (kicks only if the children are in a safe place) , because I hate situps and these are a good alternative to have a firmer waist line.
My first 5K I walked the whole way. I had lost 100lbs and still weighed 380lbs. It took me an hour an 40 minutes, but I did it and cried after because I did. Your video reminded me how proud I was and I need to begin again. No running anytime soon, but my first goal is lose the weight I regained during lock down and finish my next 5K with a better time.
My sister in law, Jennifer has been running for some time and up till the pandemic, volunteered for water stop duty for the Boston Marathon since the infamous 2013 marathon. She is partnered with a girl in the I Run for You program. The program pairs runners with people that can't run due to physical challenges. Jennifer surprised her partner a few years back by traveling to her state, renting a running wheel chair, and entered a race for them to run together for the first time. Her I Run For You partner inspires her to run. Jennifer also meets up with a local possy of girl friends most, if not every morning and are part of their specific I Run For You team.
The year of yes! When I divorced, I had this mantra. If someone asked me to do something, I said Yes! It ended up getting me out of my house and out of my post-divorce depression. At my brother's funeral, his friends spoke about him and all the ways he had changed and all the activities in which he was involved. His one friend once asked my brother about it and my brother mentioned the movie "Yes Man," about a man who had to say Yes to everything. Little did I know, we both had been living our lives on this same premise of saying Yes. More people should try it!!!
Well, you are an inspiration, I’ll tell you that! I’m 63, overweight and desperately want to be stronger, slimmer and healthy. I’ve been through a very rough few years of grief and depression and it’s time to start living again. I have faithfully watched all of your videos and honestly, you’ve roped me out of the darkness more than once. So….I’m looking up “couch to 5k” and resuming my yoga practice. I’m going to Europe with my sister in 3 months and I need to get STRONG!! Thanks so much for being such a good example in so many areas. You help lots of people Christine!! Don’t ever doubt that you were born to shine!!💫
Running never is and never will be my thing. I'd love something discussing other options to try if you aren't comfortable going to a gym at this point.
Love this! I was a couch potato until I was 39 and then a became a runner! Someone told me the secret to running early on and it helped me a TON. This is it - "Running is hard and it doesn't get easier." Everyone from beginner runners running 17 minute miles to Olympic runners running 4 minute miles are in pain and out of breath when running. You are not doing it wrong! What happens after a while is that you can run further and/or go faster when you run but it will ALWAYS be hard. Embrace it and think about how good you will feel when you are done. It's the best!
Thank you for this! I have never been a runner. My husband was a track and cross country star in highschool and when we went to college together I tried running with him. I was practically on the ground passed out and he hadn’t even broken a sweat so I said nevermind! Fast forward over 20 years later and April 2020 comes around and sitting around all day in quarantine is not gonna work for me. I did not want to gain weight, so something came over me and I decided to start running. We had an old treadmill on the back porch and I started out run/walking 3 miles at about 15 min mile pace. I decided I was going to run every single day and see if I could keep it up. I ended up running every day for a year! The treadmill broke and I transitioned to the street (I live in CA so I’m able to run outside year round) and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a treadmill. My 365th run was 7.5 miles at 8:53 pace! Now it’s almost another year later and my fastest 5k is 8:08 pace and I still run pretty much everyday. I’m 43 years old! I was 41 (almost 42) when I started running. I had no idea until I looked in my app a few weeks ago, but I ran 1,021 miles in 2021! So crazy. If I can become a runner, anyone can! I heard you talk about your friend #nobodycaresworkharder and I tell myself that when I want to quit or let up. It works! I also inspired my husband to get back into running daily. He’s continued to be a runner our entire marriage and has run multiple marathons but had not run in quite a few months when I started. Now he’s coaching cross country and track at our kids’ school and our kids have become runners too (a little against their will, ha ha, because our 14 year old son is a baseball player and our 16 year old daughter is a ballerina). Our almost 12 year old son is super excited Dad is coaching middle school track. He’s all about it! So I guess we have become a family of runners!
Needed this! I'm fat and middle aged. Knowing that it wasn't always easy for you certainly helps. Thanks for the info on shoes too. I'm up for your upcoming sports channel!
You should make a video for how to workout from home, when you don’t have any fitness equipment, be creative, show us ways to stay fit even if we don’t have much equipment.
I find myself, for possibly the first time in two years of watching your videos, completely agreeing with you today. Completely! I remember my first interval of the C25K program. “Gasp, wheeze!” and so sore! But I stuck to it and found a new sport I enjoy. The running community, I have found, is incredibly supportive of new “runners”. I don’t feel like I’m a runner most days, but I have the bibs, medals , and t-shirts that remind me I am. 💪🏻
My sister is a runner...and she would always say... you need to run with me...I’m always like: is someone chasing you with a knife 🔪 or is someone trying to kill my 👶🏻 child?... running is so not for me...but can appreciate the sport and the dedication
Now that was inspiring. Thank you for sharing that it really is hard to start, but completely possible. I am 26 and currently 20 weeks pregnant with my third. I have wanted to start running for years and always put it off. Last year I dealt with a lot of foot pain (possibly planter facetious however you spell it) and I couldn't even maintain my 5km walks. My goal and hope after this baby is to become a runner. I love being outside and being active and since having kids my activity level has gone down quite a lot.
I need to get back into running. Used to do 5K daily... then a few pregnancies and some stressful life experiences later... I got in my own way. Then the last 2.5 years of chronic joint pain and weight gain made it impossible to get back into it. I’m starting to lose weight and reduce inflammation and am finally able to walk longer distances again. I will get back to running! I’ve done it before and I can do it again! Thank you for the tips and motivation 🥰 you are my favourite person to follow.
Watching your older fitness videos for some inspiration! Miss these Fitness Fridays! Thank you for your content. It's been awesome watching your channel grow from 20,000 to almost half a million.
Loving fitness fridays! Your obvious love for fitness is so inspiring. The moment in the video that really struck me was your description of how you felt the first time. The “bricks” for feet. I feel that when I attempt running and have always assumed it was my weight. But then see women my size running and I wonder how they are doing it. It’s now clicked it’s not my weight….I have to keep going and train!
It’s true! Your ankles will work up to it and become stronger. You will be so happy when you start running for 3 minutes I was so excited when it happened to me!
@@MadisonFalco Thank you for the encouragement! I can imagine I will be emotional. A “life” goal is to just run one mile straight. Never…even as a kid…have I been able to do that. It’s never too late right?!
@@daniellegratton8049 I started running at 46, now I can do up to 4 miles.. I just started to ignored that little voice in my head that tells me I am too tired and I can't do it..
I will be 57 tomorrow & have rules about running: 1)someone’s life had better be in danger, 2)If you see me running, see #1. So although I choose to NOT be a runner, I am more than highly inspired by you to resume working out. I. Hate. Working. Out. But I need to do it. Thank you for making me think I can.
Try out Leslie Sansone's Walk at home cardio exercises! I don't like working out either, and that is the first fitness program that I actually like and can stick to it! It's adjustable from 10 min/1 mile to almost hour long/5K exercises, and it's not just walking, there are exercises built into it but they are easy to follow. A 5K workout may contain some jumping or jogging exercises, but there are workouts without jumping too. 10-20 min workouts are great for beginners too.
My Rheumatoid Arthritis went into remission last March. I sat there and looked at treadmills for months before I told my husband (who instantly bought the treadmill because treadmills are cheaper than medical bills). I got on for the first time and said, wait, I can do this! So I’ve jumped in head first and I’m training for a marathon:) because why the hell not?! Thanks for sharing and being an inspiration!
The first time I ran for 30 minutes straight, I couldn’t believe it! I was so proud of myself There’s just something about that progress that is so helpful to your mental❤️
I started running last summer in addition to doing Noom and lost 33 pounds within the first 4 and a half months. I did the free None2Run program which I heard is easier than couch to 5K. Now I can run 5K without stopping and I'm working on upping my speed. Before this I was never a runner, not even in high school. I had an autoimmune disease that got me out of PE. Thanks for your inspiring story! Also as a busty girl (about a 32H), I wanted to like the SheFit but I hated it. I need an underwire sports bra to keep from feeling squished lol
Wow, this was so good to watch. My husband says "I bet if you tried in high school you would have been good at a lot of sports" because it's true, I couldn't be bothered, I was a grunge kid who listened to Nirvana and watched my guy friends skateboard on lunch break. ha! But when I exercise, I can feel it within me, that there are muscles under the unwanted weight gain, and I can feel my body wanting to do more... maybe like running. I can do five minutes on the treadmill, which I didn't think was much, but maybe it's something, so thanks for the motivating words and knowing that someone as fit as you feels like someone like me in that there are days you just can't be bothered, but you make it happen, and I want to be like you! ;)
You're genuinely inspirational, watching you actually motivated me to join the gym a few weeks ago and I love how I feel in myself every time I go. I walk with a cane due to MS so I will never be running marathons or probably even running outdoors, but I'm going to be brave and (very carefully!) attempt the treadmill at the gym this weekend
This video came at the perfect time for me ☺️ I started running a month ago with run/walk intervals on the treadmill at the gym. I am so motivated by music so I would walk a song, run a song, walk, run, etc until I hit 30 minutes. I started increasing it to one and a half songs running, one song walking. Fast forward to a month later and I ran my very first complete mile last week. I NEVER thought I would ever run a mile. EVER. I’m currently working towards 1.5 miles and then eventually would love to get to 3 in the next couple of months. Thanks for the awesome videos!
I was never an athlete, but after losing 25 pounds on weight watchers at the age of 45, I needed a new goal. That goal was my first 5k. I too used the couch to 5k program. I walked a good bit of my first race, but I was totally hooked on the energy of race day. The smartest thing I did was join a run club. I thought I’d be the slowest and that others in the club would look down on me, but it wasn’t like that at all. Completely the opposite. Everyone is so supportive and there are runners at every level in the club. “Running brought me to life,” so I had those words tattooed on my leg and now I’ve run two marathons, dozens of half marathons and countless shorter races and it all started in midlife with one 5k ❤️ 🏃🏼♀️
I ran cross country in high school. I wasn’t good but I always showed up. Now at 41 I do Orange Theory. Yesterday was the 1 mile bench mark and for the first time I ran a full mile no stopping.
I've been watching your videos for a while and have enjoyed the week of meals on a budget. But this one just made me excited! I started running back in September with the hopes to drop some weight and improve my health. Last April, I could barely do a mile. I didn't like the Couch to 5k...I couldn't even run for those durations (I later ended up getting an inhaler to deal with some undiagnosed asthma). In September and October I ran 2 different 5Ks and dropped 15 pounds by November. I gained half of that back over the holidays. At the beginning of January, I joined a gym so I could have access to a treadmill. I'm looking forward to my next race in March! And I can't wait to get back outside to train (I refuse to run in anything less than 40 degrees...and today's high where I live in Ohio was like 10 degrees). Thanks for the inspiration and tips!
Also, I just want to tell you, that I love your personality… of course I don’t know you in “real life”, but you come across as such an easygoing, relatable woman that I want to be friends with! You seem very genuine… okay, that is all ☺️
OMG! I can't believe it's you Christine!!! Congrats on your success here on you tube. You're awesome. I remember seeing your posts about running, these pics took me back :-) I did this program because of your blog posts about it! Changed my life and still do fitness today. Thank you!
I signed up for a 5k with a friend on dialysis who liked challenges. Didn't mind when the rollerbladers passed us quickly or when the obviously fit runners sailed on by. No, what hurt was seeing moms and dads push strollers ahead, then the seniors with canes. Not walking sticks, but regular canes! Still, we finished. I was so proud of being a participant.
So encouraging!! Thank you! My husband is an avid runner. I have just told myself that I hate running and I can’t do it, but I’d really love to give my husband the gift of a running partner. This was so helpful!
I am not a runner, but your fitness videos inspire me to get MOVING! I'm motivated to self-care...work on being healthier. Thank you for sharing how you started, and how you keep striving!
Well thanks a lot Christine. My husband and I did couch to 5k last year but we stopped when the weather turned cold. We've been talking about getting a treadmill so we didn't have an excuse. So now I guess we gotta do it. Dang you Christine!! This was just the motivation I needed. 🥰🥰
As the person who has come in last for a super sprint triathlon, I’ve got to tell you it isn’t that bad. You get all the extra motivation from the volunteers (especially on the run) and you get the satisfaction of finishing (instead of having to get rescued on the swim!)
YES!!!!! I have tried so many times to become a runner. Hate it, LOATHE IT! But want to be one. Now I know I just have to keep going. Thanks Christine, going to try out the couch to 5K when I start getting 30 above weather consistently.
Christine! You have inspired me! (I've said this part before) I bought a really nice bike at the beginning of last spring and made a goal to ride my bike all the way to work by the end of the summer. I accomplished that goal in July. It was 3 miles but it was up a considerable hill and it was 90° out (wouldn't recommend the heat of the day that was stupid of me) anyways I also lost almost 50lbs. I did fall off the wagon and gain a little back but I am back to working out 3 days a week at the gym and watching my calorie intake and punching down the water! Anyways this is all to say that you inspired me almost a year ago and everytime I watch your videos to keep going. I've got over 100lbs to go and I am looking forward to my new me! Thank you for being you!
We listen to the same music! Before getting covid I ran 20k per week. Now I start all over. Today I did 2,5k. So sad but not giving up. I also did the couch to 5k. I would add that for running you need to also train your glutes and not focus on speed during every run.
Oh how I used to love to run, had kids and stopped. 😞 Now doing rebounder for indoorance. Thanks needed this, I hope to get back to it this spring, if my hip let's me.
I have been waiting on the fitness side, I did see the other video on the peloton. Thanks for this video, my favorite part starts at 8:10 the motivation part.
Some thing I would add to this is to really pay attention to the difference between soreness and pain. I have one leg that is the tiniest bit longer than the other, but it results in the worst hip pain you could imagine when it gets bad. Chiropractors are my friend😂
Great video! I was a late runner as well. I always thought I had athsma and couldn't run, nope, I was just out of shape. I did the couch to 5k when I was 28 or so and went on to train for triathlons and did 3. The last one when my son was 2 and I was 37. Now I walk on the treadmill or outside and do my spin bike. It's a lot nicer on the knees. 💪
Thank you for this. Not really the whole running part, but the motivation. I cannot run due to a medical condition that causes my heart to race. I cannot do cardio. I can do other things however. I am working on myself now - not a New Year's resolution, but a promise to myself.
Yes to Relient K!! I ♥️ them!! I’ve done a half marathon before, then stopped running completely. I’m now 40 lbs lighter (and 7 years older 🤪) than I was when I did that, so I may start it again.
Thank you! Im just finished university where i was in varsity soccer, and i always hated running... You speaking about it and your journey makes me more comfortable 🙏
Christine, this video was AWESOME. I've never had anybody describe the exact way I felt when trying to begin running. This was full of inspiration & great info - thank you!
Can you do more fitness videos please!!Your cycling and weight lifting videos are the ones I enjoy the most although the food videos and budgeting ones are lifesavers. Your super hilarious and you make all your videos fun and super relatable! I’m a cyclist myself but a runner only in my head, 😄 but hopefully that will change someday! The few times I have run before it really help me to clear my head but I would love to make it a thing and stick with it! Oh and thanks for explaining the “runners high” yours has been the best explanation I’ve heard thus far!
I'm definitely not a runner, nor do I have the desire to become one. I entered one 5k race, and I jogged/walked it. I agree with you about the C25K app. I found it to be very beginner friendly. I do, however, enjoy other forms of exercise, and I exercise 5-6 days a week.
Great video. I did this backwards. I was a cyclist then at 60, decided to be a runner ( usually runners become cyclists). My issue was, while running I would think if I was on my bike I’d be there now. The couch to 5k app is awesome and a great motivator.
Thank you I’m gonna try this… my favorite exercise is biking I love it so much and being outside but in the winter we get off too late to ride because already dark. Think I’m going give this a try in my lunch break… I literally HATE running so will be amazed if my mind chnaged
I was never into fitness/sports. And running… Pfff. 😂 I was severely obese. So not a chance. Then i slowly changed my eating habits and lost some weight. Moving got easier. I got a fitness membership and started lifting (light) weights to become fit. Cardio was just a warm up thing for me. I cycled because iwas still overweight and did not want to hurt my knees and joints. I kept losing weight. Moving got easier. A LOT easier. One day i did a running game with my dog. It was so much fun. I felt so light and it was so easy. So i tried running in the woods. I took my dog with me. And i enjoyed it so much. I was shocked because i never understood how anyone could like running. Like EVER. 😆 So since summer last year i am running. I am not lifting weights anymore. I got bored with it. Instead i am doing some kickboxing. i enjoy moving and doing sports. The feeling is amazing. I got myself a treadmill two weeks ago bc the weather here is so bad right now. It is crazy how my life changed just because i started losing weight. I lost 90 lbs in 2 years. I still aim to lose 10 lbs but I am slowly working on it. There is no rush.
I am a Brooks Ghost wearing,super sweater,late in life-ish runner. Did C25K at 50 years old, for the first time. I wanted to run 1 5K in my life, cuz that sounded fun. 11 years and 100s of races later.... I'm still at it. Slower than I used to be....but still finishing! The only thing I have yet to figure out is.....how to take OFF a racer back bra after a run.....always feels like I am peeling off a layer of skin! I now only buy front or back closure sports bras. I really like Yvette brand. Great video!!
I got a Fitbit for my birthday. I'm not a runner. More of a walker. As long as the weather is decent, I love walking around the lake nearby or just walking around my neighborhood. It's taking some getting used to, but I'm getting there & I'm amazed by how much I enjoy walking. And yes, music is key!
I love this. I have been in a weird funk lately when it comes to fitness, and I've always hated running... but this makes me feel like maybe I can get over this rut and get back to fitness. It's even convinced me that maybe I could do a 5k this summer. I'm so happy that you've decided to do fitness Fridays.
Really needed this today. I’ve been in fitness forever but sidelined to have babies and ya know..life. Been trying to return for 10 years. 2 knee surgeries later, I finally felt great and boom, 1 workout and knee sideline. Heavy sigh… took away from this…patience. Patience and consistency. Thanks for being you and sharing what you know.
My 14 year old gets up at 4:00 in the morning and goes for runs. My husband also has incredible endurance. I am trying to lose weight and gain strength. If I'm honest, I think running would be fantastic exercise for me, but I don't have the time unless I wake up at 5:00 to go run. I guess I'm going to be making time. This video is definitely the motivation that I needed. Thank you!
I ADORE this video! Would love to hear a video on your race experiences of your favorite/worst races! And would love your gear choices for those of us that are more advanced in the running world!
I have that Champion sports bra and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the comfort level! I also love the Brooks Ghost. I will also never buy another pair of shorts or leggings without pockets.
Great timing in this video! My husband and neighbor are semi serious marathon runners. Then there is me- couldn’t run a mile to save my life. I joined Orangetheory Fitness last May. They incorporate treads into there workouts and, low and behold, I’m starting to see that I *can* do things I didn’t think I could and I’m starting to not hate it. Lol . Recently decided I was going to sign up for a 5k this spring to see what I could do there.
Great and inspiring video! I became a runner years ago and a knee injury sidelined me, I gained back all the weight I had lost and here I am, starting with walking again with the goal to start running again (need to get my weight down a bit first). For Christine's Canadian viewers, we have the couch to 5k, None to Run is another good one and the Running Room has a great Walk to Run program (in person and online) that do exactly what Christine outlined here. Additionally, there's a group run once per week with an optional second run, you are expected to do 2-3 more runs on your own each week and each week they have specialists discuss a different topic each week like running shoes, sports bras, nutrition info etc. This was the program I did and will do again to ease myself back in. I was shocked that I was not dead last and that boosted my confidence. This was a really great video with terrific advice and encouragement. Thanks so much!
Lots of great advice! I've been running half and full marathons for almost 25 years now. When I first started, I was shocked that I could barely run a 1/4 mile. I thought I could just lace up my shoes and run far and fast. It can be discouraging but it takes time, practice, and technique. And for me, its always evolving. I broke my nose several years ago and had to learn a different way to breathe. As I've gotten older, I've had to adjust for knee and foot pain. I've also had to come to terms with the fact that I'm not as fast as I used to be and that it takes more training to get the same results now. But in the end, I'm just happy I'm still moving.
I used to be a big runner with 11 half marathons under my belt. It destroyed my foot and I haven’t run since. I so would love to start again. This was exciting and makes me want to try again this spring.
I agree with everything you said! I went from struggling to run at all to 3+ miles a day and completing a half marathon in one year! Then I got pregnant and struggled during the first and third trimesters. Now that baby is here I’m looking forward to getting back into it.
I'm taking this video as a sign to keep going with my running endeavors! I started the Couch to 5K program on Monday to get my ankle moving again after a bad break. I was a runner many years ago, but haven't run much in the last few years. Hopefully I'll be back to being a runner soon!
I did couch to 5 k in my mid 30's. It was hard work but was a life goal of mine. I have never run before. I was so incredibly proud of myself. I was able to participate in several 5k fun runs and could run the entire time. I miss running. I have a little goal to run a mile but I don't know if it's physically possible. I have ms now. I am now able to walk a mile. I was a bed rest level and blind a year ago! Gotta keep moving.
Couch to 5K was the best for me! My goal was to run the 5K with out walking and I did it! Set achievable goals for yourself and continue to push yourself and you will make progress! Consistency is also key!
I really love your Fitness Friday videos. I have been trying (really a lie...I've been thinking) to get going again after 2020 and then spending 2021 sick. I remember getting going before, and I remember the path wasn't easy. I know it's mental. Your videos are helpful, even if I don't need a sports bra.
This was so me after 2 kids back in 2014-2015. I hated running in highschool, but I got into it in my late 20's. I got up to a running 3 miles a day with a 5+ mile longer run on Saturdays. Love running! 3 more kids, my youngest will be 1 soon and I am back up to running 2 miles a day 3 on Saturdays. Working my way up to bring able to run longer.