Any successful weight-loss runners?

Hatchling84

I started at 300lbs now at 210lbs, always been an outside runner even during the winter months. However I will run treadmill if the weather is too severe or if I am going to do weight training and need 12-20 minutes of cardio before I start lifting.

daniellealys

i trained for several months for a half marathon and GAINED 5 lbs over 3 months of training. I was over 200lbs at the time and was running all the time but my diet wasnt in check. I was running and then eating ice cream...FAIL
I have lost about 55lbs now and started running again at about my 40lb loss. running does wonders for your body in my opinion. however, like any other exercise.....your diet must be in check to get any success at all

i run inside and out. I run faster on a treadmill but running outside is more difficult. I prefer to run on a treadmill mostly because I can have water right there and my phone nad music without having to hold anything. I hate holding anything when i run but cannot run without water being readily available! I run outside once a week and on the treadmill several times a week

mumtoonegirl

I run and cross train doing a lot of weights and slimmed right now.

saroknight

I have lost 40lbs since January with running being my main source of physical activity. I have also become a lot more aware of what and how much I have been eating. As well as just trying to be more active in everyday life - such as walking or biking to and from destinations if possible. I run anywhere from 3-5 days a week from 1-5km at a time. Really I just push myself to keep going and take a break if I need one.

I started running by doing the Couch25k app and then just went from there. I now track using the runkeeper app. Both have really helped to to stay on track. Plus watching yourself progress really helps to keep you motivated.

Good luck with your health and fitness goals and I hope you can also find a love in running

jgonza132

I never really exercised nor play any sports when I was growing up. I have been overweight being from 195 to 200lbs all this time. Since I'm not that tall well the weight shows quite a bit. Then in my late 20's I started running. I had a friend who I would run quite a bit with then my sister got into running big time as well so we both keep each other motivated. I managed to go down to 175lb. I was running doing 5ks, 10ks, and relays and several half marathons. I was an inside (treadmill) runner. I also didn't watch what I ate at that time. I can tell you I didn't eat very healthy. Eating out every day every other day! But I would go to the gym 5-6 times a week and run also did spin classes.

I lost my job so I stopped my gym membership. I guess with that job loss I ended up with a depression and have now gained all that weight plus about 15lbs more! That's been about a year now that I lost my job. I started to watch my diet and started running once again. This time outside since I still don't have a job and don't want to pay gym membership. But anyway to date I've lost about 6lbs. in about 1.5wks

Hope to increase my running because I'm back down to just running 1-2mi! and getting tired! Where before I used to run 6-8mile easily.

Good luck on your running

rachie590

I have been running for 6 years. Initially I lost 75 lbs. I added the gym only because it was icy out one day and I wanted to run so badly that I joined my local gym to use the treadmill. I started using the weights only because I was paying for the membership and thought I should take advantage of everything. I think my body changed more when I used weights along with running. I actually got faster and fatigued much slower after I started lifting weights.

Bottom line, if you want to protect your knees, you should do some type of leg and core strengthening exercises a few times a week with your running. So many friends of mine have knee trouble from running, but I never have. I really believe it is because all of the leg work that I have put in.

kaabruur19

Ive lost 30 pounds with just running. The weight is coming off, but unfortunately its not going away in the lower belly area. I think I need to add in some strength training and ab exercises to get that to go away. Im just starting jillian michaels body revolution, and am going to do that on top of my running. I run probably 4 times a week between 1.5-3 miles each time.

Kellybeth16

ALSO.... YOU RUNNERS.... are you outside runners, or treadmill runners?

I lost all my weight so far (34 pounds) by only running and changing my diet a bit. I run about 3-4 miles 4 times a week. I run on the treadmill because I'm not comfortable enough yet to run outside. Also, I have recently switched it up and been using an elliptical, but haven't had as much luck with weight loss. Hope this helps.

Duck_Puddle

I lost 75-ish pounds with just running (size 22/24 to 6/8). Pics and stuff are here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/971842-it-was-an-accident-pics

devinbear

I've lost about 8 pounds by running. (141.5 to 133) I used to go on really long walks, and then just decided one day to start. However, I no longer run outside due to the painful vericose veins I get from running on pavement. I might try again after a few months of running inside, and some compression wear. If you are looking to start running, good luck. Even though I was an athlete all through school, I always hated running just for the sake of running. Now I love it! Hope you do too!

viragoeap

Yes, I've lost 20lbs since I started running but I didn't do it through running on it's own. I do a bit of dance, cycling and toning exercises like pilates on a regular basis.and also watch what I eat. It's so easy to think that just because we run, we can ramp up the calories, not true. When I ran marathons I didn't lose any weight at all as I was maintaining energy levels all the time. I've lost the most weight by cutting down on potatoes, pasta and bread combined with running and the other exercises above. I've only ever worked out in a gym once and that was enough!

BeachIron

I'm a barefoot runner but I also lift. You can lose weight on running and diet alone but you can't recomp on that. You need to lift weights and watch your protein intake if you want to end up firm.

Kita328

Running alongside 30 Day Shred, running doesn't really tone you, only your legs and bottom, so you do need to do some weights or other exercises that help tone your muscles. I lost 26lbs overall (I started on Fitday and only moved onto here towards the end) from 160lbs to 142, I'm 5'9". I've always gone running, but I started again following an ankle injury.

I began by running. I was a beginner. Never before ran. Now, I too run and do 30 day shred. I have lost 17 lbs. so far. you wouldnt need a gym membership for those. I do reccomend doing both if you want faster results. Of course I eat clean as well. NUTRITION is key to weightloss.

Briko3

I did c25k and lost 30 pounds. It probably took me around 12 weeks to finish because of scheduling and laziness, and I did cut back a little on the food, but that's the main reason I lost it. There's just something about seeing how many calories you burn during a run that makes you look more carefully at what you're eating. A Snicker bar isn't worth a 30 minute run.

SonicDeathMonkey80

I've been running for many years, but my 25lb weight loss didn't occur until I started counting calories/macros. So, for me, it was all in the kitchen, and I've become a significantly better runner for it.

glin23

No photos, but I've lost about 50 pounds using running as my main fitness/weight loss tool. FWIW, I think one of the more under appreciated aspects of running is having a strong core.

chipmunk10

I started MFP in Feb of this year and at the same time started running for my 1st time ever. C25K by Zen Labs got me started, in the beginning I struggled running longer than 1 min! Now I can run about 7 miles! I have lost 37lbs since Feb with changing my diet, running 3 days per week and using an elliptical 2 days a week. I have ran 3, 5K's this year and 1, 4mile run for the 4th of July. I am currently looking for a 10K for this fall. I will mostly likely add weights in after I have lost about another 20lbs as I will need to tone up. It is an amazing feeling when you have completed a race!

chipmunk10

I started MFP in Feb of this year and at the same time started running for my 1st time ever. C25K by Zen Labs got me started, in the beginning I struggled running longer than 1 min! Now I can run about 7 miles! I have lost 37lbs since Feb with changing my diet, running 3 days per week and using an elliptical 2 days a week. I have ran 3, 5K's this year and 1, 4mile run for the 4th of July. I am currently looking for a 10K for this fall. I will mostly likely add weights in after I have lost about another 20lbs as I will need to tone up. It is an amazing feeling when you have completed a race!

nolakris

I've lost 55lbs over the last 18 months and about 45 of those are from running as my main exercise. I also track my calories here pretty religiously and do some core work. I'm currently training for a marathon and running about 4 days a week, cross training 2 days a week and doing strength training 4 days a week. I've added more strength training just recently to tone up more and to improve my running.

belgerian

I have I started out doing elipical at Gym then moved to the treadmill doing about 12 minute miles for 3 miles just kept bumping up the speed and distance Now I run outside only for about 1.5 years now and just did my first offical 1/2 marathon time was 1:49:00 exactly was shooting for 1:45 but still happy with the results. I am now starting to incorporate some type of resistance mostly just bodyweight stuff I can get alot of that done at work lucky me.

jessizona80

Having never been a runner, I started running outside last year and lost 20 pounds with just running and not changing my eating, except I probably ate more because running made me hungry. In Jan I started using MFP, still running and am down another 33lbs for a total of 53. It has changed my legs and hips/butt the most. My BIL's often called me J-Lo bootie before and now, the first indication that it's time to go down another pants size (from 16-8's atm) is the seat of my pants baggy. Hence, I have started doing a "butt lifting" program, to hopefully start giving me some rear back. We'll see...

I love running, because I pay for shoes and music and otherwise it's free. I get outside SO much more, sometimes it's not so great (two miles in 109 degree heat last night) but sometimes it's amazing... I've seen lightening shows, amazing sunsets, weirdo’s in my neighborhood, etc. No driving to a gym, all I have to do is step outside my front door and once I'm out I have to keep going to get back home.

I hope if you start up it's something that works and is as enjoyable for you.

ksuh999

Yeah I run too and have lost over 30 lbs. Started with C25K. I usually run on an in indoor track. Treadmill is much, much easier. I find outdoor running easier in the sense that being outdoors makes it a more interesting run.

I also do Stronglifts. Running is my preferred cardio because everything else (elliptical, bicycle) is way too easy for me now.

Marcillene

I'm a barefoot runner but I also lift. You can lose weight on running and diet alone but you can't recomp on that. You need to lift weights and watch your protein intake if you want to end up firm.

Interested in what you said... How much is the recommended protein intake for healthy/best results?

Marcillene

So excited for all you runners! Good job, seems like you all have had amazing results!

chrislynn_marie

I lost a majority of my weight from running and eating clean.

Miz_Sparklez

I lost 95lbs just walking and working up to running. Now I do lift some weights but running is my love!! I have before pic in my profile.

BryceK67

Yes! I haven't stepped a single foot into a gym and have lost 30 lbs since Jan 1. I was hesitant to start running but did C25K and just kept going, its sort of become addicting at this point. Thankfully my wife pulled me into MFP so I was able to really keep an eye on my diet. Overall I have lost 40 lbs in 2 years just by running alone but unfortunetely I don't have any pics to share.

irjeffb

I started C25k at ~270 pounds and I'm now hanging around 190. Running is pretty much the only exercise I do.

I believe that my weight loss is attributed primarily to a change in eating habits, but the running does help, and it's great for overall health.

CorvusCorax77

not "Just running" but running + calorie counting, yes.

I went from 174 # to 123#

I started lifting then because I was too scrawny and still didn't have the kind of tummy I wanted. Still working on it. But I'm hella stronger now, so there's that. Also, lifting improved my running and protects my joints.

Still.... running will help you lose weight for sure.... if you are overweight that is.

blgerig

Weight loss is all about nutrition, but my exercise is primarily running! Started off not being able to go a full mile without stopping and I have now done several half marathons. Working some weight training in to tone up some more, but really pleased with the changes I have seen in my body and my fitness level from running.