Am I being safe?

[HavertownWebGuy]

Age 39, was about 270 at Thanksgiving. Decided enough was enough, switched to a very healthy diet one day in December. Down to 255 now. I'm not starving myself, eating plenty all day -- but quality food. Lean meat, lots of grain, nuts, etc. Also, I've started walking and running, doing the Couch-To-5K.

Here's my question.... I told my doctor a few months back that I was going to start doing this (running, specifically). He had no objections and encouraged me. But I'm super paranoid about something happening to me. I've lost a few men in my life over the past few years, two of whom died too early due to lifestyle issues that could have been corrected when they were younger. Am I putting myself at risk at this weight, when it comes to all this sudden physical exertion? I feel fine running. I expected to out of breath and totally winded from it, but I'm fine. I feel great the next day. The biggest impediment seems to be the amount of weight that is coming down on my feet and calves. Other than that, I actually feel refreshed after a long walk or one of my running sessions. Am I crazy for going this cold turkey with health at this weight and age? I'm so desperate to get my health together, but I don't want to do anything dangerous. There is no record of any sort of pre-existing conditions that I'm leaving out, aside from weight. Thoughts or experience?

I'm the person who goes full bore when decided to do something. Learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby has few negative consequences. I'm just wondering if I need to take it easier. Like I said, I'm doing Couch-To-5K, so its not like I'm just going and running 3 miles after not exercising for 5 years.

 

[every1sanexpert]

There is always a risk of injury and stress related issues when your running and heavy. I am not going to tell you not to run since it seems as tho you kind of enjoy it and feel better for doing it. My suggestion to you is to also get other activity in so that your not running more than 3-4 times a week, like every other day for example. Go and get a bike and do that on the other days, it is a lot less stressful on the joints and can be more effective when looking to reduce fat levels. Make sure that you have your nutritional requirements under control and that your eating right around the same number of calories your burning up each day, in a 5 - 6 meal daily program. Remember that food is energy and that the body is always producing and NOT replacing energy. So always be looking approx 3 hours ahead for your energy requirements and eat appropriately for the upcoming events. Obviously if your going to be running, biking, swimming etc then your going to eat a little more than if your going to be sitting at the computer working or watching a movie. Always eat a little fat, carbohydrate and protein at every meal, the quantities of each are dependent on what your going to be doing the next 3-4 hours.
Also add some swimming into the mix if your that way inclined so that your joints have some time away from the crashing and banging and stress that running induces upon the body. Mix it up, let your body rest some and go fo rit while exercising and make a pact with yourself to be in it for the long term, a "fitness lifestyle" so to speak then you will rid yourself of the body fat and be able to keep it off for good.