• Don't worry about how you look. No one cares how sweaty you are or how slow or fast you're going.
• Don't compare yourself with others (unless it helps). Many services will track your stats or let you join a global community of runners. Before you join them, remember why you're running and consider if it may not demotivate you instead.

Slowly build up stamina over the first few weeks and months. To start, run three times a week for eight weeks, beginning with sessions that involve more walking than actual running, and ending with 30 minutes of non-stop jogging.

• Your first session, run for a minute, then walk for 90...