Mr. Bee and I recently started the Couch to 5K program, which is designed to take you from the couch to running 5k (3.1 miles) in 9 weeks. Although I’ve never been a fan of running, we live right by a beautiful park and I didn’t want to pay $80/month for a gym membership. Plus I haven’t worked out in almost 5 years since I was pregnant with Charlie, so this program seemed like an easy way to transition back into getting fit.

How it works is you run 3 times a week. The first week you alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. If the program is too difficult, you can stretch it out, and if you find it easy, you shouldn’t skip ahead. It’s supposed to slowly ease you into running so that you don’t give up by setting unrealistic goals. By Week 5 you’re alternating jogging 1/2 mile (5 minutes) then walking 1/4 mile (3 minutes). Eventually you walk less and jog more until you’re running a complete 5k by week 9 with no walking.

We downloaded the Couch to 5k app ($1.99), as well as the Runkeeper App (free) before our first run. The Couch to 5K app logs your workouts so you can see your progress, and you can even connect with friends. Once you hit your 5k goal, there are apps for 5k to 10k and half marathon from the same company if you want to continue!


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Runkeeper is a very comprehensive running app with a ton of features including custom running plans, calculating your calorie burn, synching with FitBit and other devices, connecting with friends, and more. I’d be ecstatic if I just work up to running 5k 3 times a week! Since this app has so many options though, there was no harm in running it at the same time every time we run the Couch 2 5K app as well.

Even though I consider myself to be out of shape, I didn’t find week 1 and 2 of the program to be too bad. I guess running after two kids has at least kept me from being in horrible shape! The Couch to 5K app was great because it would tell us when to jog and when to walk so I didn’t have to constantly check my phone. I do plan on buying a running belt though so I don’t have to carry my phone. It seems that running a 5k is doable when it previously seemed impossible since I hate running. You could even do this with your little one in tow in a jogging stroller!

Now is the perfect time to get in shape before summer. I know a lot of people, even those who hate running, have had success with this program.

Has anyone else done Couch to 5K? Anyone care to join us?

PS – We’re also starting Whole30 on Wednesday. We’re all in for summer fitness!