Hello. I've seen many posts about running. I used to love running as a child, and I live close to a beautiful trail that I walk all the time. I had knee problems as a teenager and in my early 20's, but I had arthoscopic surgery to fix my kneecap. I started the program at 200 pounds, and I know that I'm still wearing too much weight (now at 150) to run without damaging my knee. I've been told that I should not start running again, which I really want to do by summer. The advice is from a medical PhD and I'm not sure if I should follow his advice or not. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Well, they do say that running puts 3 X your bodyweight on your knee joints. If you do start running, I would recommend starting on a treadmill because of the additional "give"...treadmills have a little more bounce to them than pavement. Then if you are pain free on the treadmill you could try switching to the roads. Listen to your body and see if you feel any pain. At any rate, there are lots of runners who weigh a lot more than 150 so it can certainly be done. HTH

I had an ACL replacement in my knee in 94 & then 15 months ago had to have another arthoscopy to clean out a lot of the cartiledge. My knee is already suffering from early arthritis (quite common with all major knee injuries) which will never improve. My surgeon advised never to run again as a form of regular exercise as it would only agravate it more. Once I get to a substantially lower weight, if I feel as though it's something I'd like to try again I'll recheck with my surgeon first.
Fortunately there are a lot of other cardio exercises that can be done without being such a high impact on the knees.
I would heed your surgeons advice, but maybe call him & ask how it would be at a lower weight.

I run all the time and have heard from many many people that my knees are bound to give out, but I just can't stop. I have read that speed walking gives you the same benefits though, so you may want to try that instead, since you already have a bum knee.

After my own experiences, and a long recovery after a knee injury that fortunately did not require surgery, I am running again, and I am not below 150 yet.
When I first started running agin, I was experiencing leg and knee pain, and thought I was going to have to give it up, until I read Stu Mittleman's book, Slow Burn. I followed his instructions, and I am running every day for much longer times than I ever had before--and I am doing it pain-free.
I'm not saying to ignore your doctor, but he doesn't live in your body, and if Mittleman's suggestions can get you doing it again without pain, it may end up being a very worthwhile investment.
I was also told by my doctor that I should not run again. So I walked for nearly three years but got to feeling so good that I just *had* to run! And I've never been a runner!
Knee and leg pain followed, but not so bad that I had to quit or slow down, but it was getting to be an enormous struggle, until I read Mittleman's book and started training according to his instructions. Now I run pain free.
Take it real slow and make sure you are getting conditioned very gradually--you can always stop if it turns out to be a bad idea.

Thank you all for your replies. I was planning on taking my trusted pedometer out on the trails now that they're not so icy and try doing short sprints of walking as fast as I comfortably can. That way I can build up some endurance and test my knee out. I need the pedometer so I know when it's time to turn around, otherwise I would be in the middle of the open space wondering where I could pick up a cab (he he he). Thanks again!

I just recently purchased a new book called "The Women's Book of Running". I think Runner's World Magazine produced it... it's a good book and there are workouts in the book for beginning runners...workouts that start you running in 2 minute segments. I'd be willing to guess your library has a copy.

Thanks, I'll have to check that one out.

I am a new runner and I just love it. I do worry about knee problems because so many people I know have some sort of problem with their knees. However, I just picked up running over the last couple of months by walking first, then jogging for short periods at a slow speed and now I'm doing a 5K in April-something I never thought I could do. I know this has helped with the weight loss quite a bit and with stress reduction.

coriolis,
I know exactly what you mean, as a young person I loved to run, I would rather run then walk someplace/anyplace and now that I'm so much lighter I just feel like I would love to be able to take off and run again. Unfortunately, arthritis in both knees is an issue and I really would be afraid to push running. My doctor told me I could eliminate walking as a means of exercise and I didn't listen to him on that one, I pushed through and can now enjoy getting out for a 3 or 4 mile walk (I was thinking about applying for a handicap plate before JC) but I don't dare push it further then that.
Since you are doing so well with your weight I would get a second opinion and see if they agree with your first doctor.
Good Luck,
Evangeline