Does Couch to 5K really work?

I've noticed that I'm getting some hits on Google about the Couch to 5K Plan ("couch to 5k obstacles," "couch to 5k week 5 success," "how far do you go in week 1 couch to 5k"). While those people who visited might not be back to read, I can at least offer some advice to future visitors. If you're new to C25K, and my blog, welcome! There are many people here who can offer you encouragement. Please stick around and introduce yourself!

Here's what I'm noticing with C25K:

• The jiggly buns aren't so jiggly anymore.
• I've noticed increased stamina.
• 30 minutes of exercise 3x a week really is good for the body.
• Running through the pain does work. Last week I had a poor run from a sort of "non-use injury" but this week I kept running and realized that it wasn't so painful.
• I feel like I've accomplished something when I set a distance goal for myself and don't give up.
• No more DP and Cheese Bits every day at 10:00. I feel like I had less energy when I was drinking a DP for caffeine every day. Trading caffeine for water has made a difference.
• I'm amazed that my two feet can hit the ground and propel me forward.
• The intervals set up in C25K really help. The first week I did so-so, but there is no way that I could do Week 4 training back in the days of Week 1. And if I were to do Week 1 training today, I would be bored.
• Pick a schedule and stick with it. I do M-W-F. Another friend does Sa-M-W. Another friend runs T-R-Sa.
• Find some music to listen to that is timed to the intervals so that you're not always checking the time. When I'm running, I really listen to the song and try not to check my clock. I hold out from checking the time and when I finally give in, it's usually late enough that there are only about 15 more seconds to go of the interval. There are a few podcasts to use; some are techno, others are rap/pop. I haven't yet found any podcast with Group 1 Crew, but that would be nice to have instead of booty call music. I use the second one for my training, and this week's was pretty explicit. Just a warning.
  
• I definitely don't eat as much anymore. This is a double-advantage. The only fast food that I enjoy recently is Subway and less Spangle's, and I save money from not going out to eat nearly every day.
• It's a nice surprise to see that my weight is going down for the most part, but that's not one of my goals for C25K. I maintain a good range of +/- 3 for my height, and don't own a bathroom scale of my own. I only weigh myself when I'm at someone's house and happen to be in the same room as their scale.
  
• I think I'm starting to see that flabby tummy go bye-bye. Maybe I'm imagining it, but I like to use it as motivation to keep going.
• Find accountability, someone to ask you if you've been running and how it's going.
• I got this advice from a commenter on a C25K post and it's helped me out to remember to keep looking up and not down at the road: good luck with the running. keep your chin up and work your core too. it'll make running a breeze. :)
• I'm not training for a 5K, but just doing this for "fun" because I realize that this body isn't going to last me for forever, and I was tired of sitting around being lazy and drinking DP. If nothing else, it gets me outside and gives my eyes a break from the pixels that invade about 10+ hours of every day. Did you know that nature is not made of pixels? Amazing!

For those of you who are running C25K, what have you found that motivates and works for you?