Good for you!!! You may want to check out www.coolrunning.com. They have really good training programs that start out really easy. There is one called couch to five K and it is a really good way to get into running if you wanted to. They have a good mix of walking and jogging.

I smiled :)  I had the same reaction when I just started doing interval jogging recently.  I'm so excited that I even tried it, that my hubby had to restrain me from running out and buying expensive running shoes and all that.  We're still trying to take it pretty easy, but I figure if I can work up to jogging the whole 1.5 miles we currently walk the dog on, then I can reward myself with new toys :)

Good job!!

Original Post by dollface13:

Your son spots and compliments you! It takes a wonderful mother to raise such a great, supportive son! I'm sure that now he looks up to you now and your husband is so proud of you. Congratulations on your goal, that is really such a big deal. Life is so full of ups and downs, but it's our minds that can push us to where we want to go! Congrats again (this almost brought tears to my eyes, too!)

Thank you so very much for the compliment on my parenting. I hope that by being honest about the physical and mental issues that got me to the place I am at now I can help my children avoid the pitfalls I fell in to.

I know that I am incredibly blessed to have a family that loves and supports me and I try to let them know just how much they mean to me.

Original Post by skinny_kitty:

Your post struck a chord with me. Last May, I had gotten down to 225 (or thereabouts) and decided to start running for the first time. My knee caps almost DID pop out! I could jog -- at a rate slower than walking -- for only 2 minutes at a time, with 4 - 5 minute walking breaks in between. Man, those two minutes felt like they'd burn my lungs right out of my chest!

Anyway, I ran my first half marathon on April 20th of this year and I managed to run the whole thing. I came in at the back of the pack, but was far from being last. 11 months of regular running and I'm doing things I thought I'd never, ever be able to do (much less want to).

I'm not telling you my story to take from your wonderful accomplishment; I just wanted to tell you that after that 1/2 marathon I cried like a baby when I was alone in the shower afterwards. I was just so, so proud of my body. It can make babies and feed them and then learn to run. I wanted to let you know that I totally understand what you're talking about and that you have every single right in the world to burst with pride.

The easy way would have been to remain sedentary and eat cheet-os the rest of your life. You've risen to the challenge and taken the hard route, acting as an example to your children and the people who surround you. Your grandchildren (should you be so lucky to be blessed with them!) will be so , so glad that grand-ma can run around and play tag with them!!!

KUDOS!

Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging me. I can't wait to be my grandchildren's ultra hip and healthy Bigmommah who can not only beat them at Dead or Alive 4 but can also take their butt's to the cleaners on the basketball court.  =)

Original Post by jdegrood:

Good for you!!! You may want to check out www.coolrunning.com. They have really good training programs that start out really easy. There is one called couch to five K and it is a really good way to get into running if you wanted to. They have a good mix of walking and jogging.

Thank you so much for the resource. I really like the fact that people like you are willing to share their knowledge to help others.

Original Post by j-snyder:

I smiled :) I had the same reaction when I just started doing interval jogging recently. I'm so excited that I even tried it, that my hubby had to restrain me from running out and buying expensive running shoes and all that. We're still trying to take it pretty easy, but I figure if I can work up to jogging the whole 1.5 miles we currently walk the dog on, then I can reward myself with new toys :)

Good job!!

I know exactly what you mean about new toys. =) I really need to strengthen my core so I'm ordering a new work out from The Firm that comes with a toning ball. It's my last purchase for a while I promise! Well except for new workout clothes as these are becoming a little loose, and well I'll need to replace my shoes, oh wait that new scale that measures body fat........... -)

That's so exciting! It is stories like yours that motivates everyone to keep going. Congrats and keep up the good work!

Original Post by jlg36:

That's so exciting! It is stories like yours that motivates everyone to keep going. Congrats and keep up the good work!

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.  All the best to you!

I am so very happy for you.  Your story brought a tear to my eye.  It made me remember back to when I went from walking to jogging, it was truly a good feeling.

Congratulations.

Original Post by oit:

I am so very happy for you. Your story brought a tear to my eye. It made me remember back to when I went from walking to jogging, it was truly a good feeling.

Congratulations.

Thank you. Being able to do more than I could before is inspiring me to shoot for the moon.  =)

Original Post by ser25:

Congratulations, Bigmommah!

Definitely explore coolrunning.com and the couch to 5k program. Also, there's mapmyrun.com, where you can trace your path on a map to find out how far you went.

I started a year ago unable to run 20 seconds. Now I'm doing over 60 minutes. Once you make the switch to thinking in terms of "I can", great things will happen.

Thank you for the additional resource. I really appreciate it.