Running with no results

2

Replies

  • nellyett
    nellyett Posts: 436 Member
    I was only doing a bootcamp last year which I progressively increased weights in. It was wonderful to see the changes in my body, but I really started leaning out when I started the C25K program last summer.

    I had never considered myself a runner, but was surprised to find that I loved it!! The app made all the difference! Having a goal, stats, structure made it really fun instead of just getting out there and going for a random time or distance. :)

    This is just my experience, but as a lot of people here have mentioned, pick up a food scale...you might be surprised by some of the serving sizes. I know I was! Also, if a HRM is feasible, you may be surpised there too....

    The second thing I did to break a several months' long plateau was to eat MORE! I found that my sweet spot was in the NET range of 1500-1600 cals per day. So on workout days I was eating 1900-2100 cals per day. Any exercise that you enjoy and will continue to do is great exercise!! The key will be dialing into the proper calorie intake.

    There are several threads around here like "Eat more 2 weigh less", "In Place of a Road Map", etc. They all discuss eating at a moderate deficit from your total daily calorie burn. For me it has worked like a charm. :)

    I actually run now for the mental benefits it brings me....it is me time for me! And it's easy. You can get out and do it anywhere! Congratulations on completing the program!! You should be very proud! Not a lot of people can say they can run a 5k and now you are one of them! :) Keep up the great work!!
  • NOLAdy
    NOLAdy Posts: 133 Member
    I skimmed through the first page, and you've got some good advice. I just wanted to add that it's best to stay on a more natural diet, and stay away from products that are marketed as "diet, low fat, low cal..." I found myself getting much better results when I started reading the ingredients of packaged foods. The more natural the better. Perhaps you're already doing this, but I just wanted to throw it out there just in case. It does make a difference in how our body respond to what we're doing.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    That's because straight cardio is bullsh!t for weight loss. Add in a weightlifting routine and you'll see inches just fall off.

    It's not bull****. It's people like you that think their way is the only way that discourage people. I, and many others, have lost a lot of weight and kept it off without lifting anything heavy. There is no ONE right way to do this.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    That's because straight cardio is bullsh!t for weight loss. Add in a weightlifting routine and you'll see inches just fall off.

    Nothing like a true believer..........
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I wouldn't call progressing from not being able to run to running 5K "no results" :flowerforyou:
  • mumtoonegirl
    mumtoonegirl Posts: 586 Member
    I am starting training for a 5K but I am still cross training so I run 3x a week, cross train for 2 and rest for one. I have upped my carbs to 200 on run days and 200 of protein. Take in account I am in maintenance for my weight loss so on training days I am supposed to eat over 2000 calories.

    Personally I have my macros set at 40/20/40 and do everything I can to stay in those, I eat my calories.

    Cross training is key!
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    If you're not tracking calories, your estimate of 'eating less' can be 'slightly' inaccurate. Running, or any exercise, would increase your appetite, so even if you think you're eating less, it might be the same amount or more.
    I've managed to maintain while not tracking, but to lose weight, I have to count EVERYTHING.
  • mojohowitz
    mojohowitz Posts: 900 Member
    That's because straight cardio is bullsh!t for weight loss. Add in a weightlifting routine and you'll see inches just fall off.

    54443-Bubbles-gif-91mp.gif
  • kpodjan
    kpodjan Posts: 11
    Thanks! :happy:
  • kpodjan
    kpodjan Posts: 11
    I wouldn't call progressing from not being able to run to running 5K "no results" :flowerforyou:

    Thank you :-)
  • kpodjan
    kpodjan Posts: 11
    I really appreciate so many of your comments and help. Gives me a lot to look into to get where I'd like to be but I know that getting off my @$$ is the first step for me. I've been an on and off runner but this past challenge has been my best. My 60 year old mom decided to train for a marathon in October. :flowerforyou: She's amazing.

    Anyway I've been tracking my food and it's now 3pm and I have 1100 calories left which includes my running deficit. (not sure if that's the right word) I know snacks and dinner can eat that up fast but I'm seeing it's important to really know what I'm eating.

    Thanks again!!
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I'm sharing this because I think it's hilarious and speaks to my personal challenges - not because I'm assuming that you have this issue. But I hope you enjoy it - it has great insights about weight loss as well.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/beginners/hungry-for-more
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Hi everyone.
    I started a running program (C25K) at the end of May '13 and just graduated by running my 5K today (July 5 '13)...yay! My concern is that even though I can feel more muscle tone in my lower body and feel 'slightly' leaner around my shoulders and chest I have lost no weight...not one pound...and not even partial inches on my measurements. I run 4 times per week and it's been a straight two plus miles for about 3 weeks now. I eat less than I did before I started and I naturally am choosing healthier foods over junk. Am I not giving it enough time? I feel like I should have at least lost something by now :-( Wondering other peoples experience.

    you can't outrun what happens in the kitchen.
  • Siegel15
    Siegel15 Posts: 100 Member
    A caloric deficit is what you need to lose weight. Excercise helps with that but diet is 80%.

    Also running didn't add that much to my deficit until I got to the 20+ miles a week range then it was easy to lose .5 to a pound a week. From the way I read it your only running 8 miles a week. Work on building up to more running, that will help.

    ^^^^^^^
    THIS!
  • Siegel15
    Siegel15 Posts: 100 Member
    Hi everyone.
    I started a running program (C25K) at the end of May '13 and just graduated by running my 5K today (July 5 '13)...yay! My concern is that even though I can feel more muscle tone in my lower body and feel 'slightly' leaner around my shoulders and chest I have lost no weight...not one pound...and not even partial inches on my measurements. I run 4 times per week and it's been a straight two plus miles for about 3 weeks now. I eat less than I did before I started and I naturally am choosing healthier foods over junk. Am I not giving it enough time? I feel like I should have at least lost something by now :-( Wondering other peoples experience.

    you can't outrun what happens in the kitchen.

    LOL!!!!!!!! Too true!
  • chard_muncher
    chard_muncher Posts: 75 Member
    Hi everyone.
    I started a running program (C25K) at the end of May '13 and just graduated by running my 5K today (July 5 '13)...yay! My concern is that even though I can feel more muscle tone in my lower body and feel 'slightly' leaner around my shoulders and chest I have lost no weight...not one pound...and not even partial inches on my measurements. I run 4 times per week and it's been a straight two plus miles for about 3 weeks now. I eat less than I did before I started and I naturally am choosing healthier foods over junk. Am I not giving it enough time? I feel like I should have at least lost something by now :-( Wondering other peoples experience.

    I just want to say that that you're doing awesome! Weight loss can be a tricky thing. If you're making progress with your running and eating well, everything else will fall in line. Just focus on running more (without getting hurt!) and making smart choices. Just imagine in a few months you could be running 20+ miles per week; then you know you'll be seeing big changes!
  • kpodjan
    kpodjan Posts: 11
    Hi everyone.
    I started a running program (C25K) at the end of May '13 and just graduated by running my 5K today (July 5 '13)...yay! My concern is that even though I can feel more muscle tone in my lower body and feel 'slightly' leaner around my shoulders and chest I have lost no weight...not one pound...and not even partial inches on my measurements. I run 4 times per week and it's been a straight two plus miles for about 3 weeks now. I eat less than I did before I started and I naturally am choosing healthier foods over junk. Am I not giving it enough time? I feel like I should have at least lost something by now :-( Wondering other peoples experience.

    I just want to say that that you're doing awesome! Weight loss can be a tricky thing. If you're making progress with your running and eating well, everything else will fall in line. Just focus on running more (without getting hurt!) and making smart choices. Just imagine in a few months you could be running 20+ miles per week; then you know you'll be seeing big changes!

    Thank you for the encouragement. I do plan to increase my distance slowly but surely :-)
  • kpodjan
    kpodjan Posts: 11
    Hi everyone.
    I started a running program (C25K) at the end of May '13 and just graduated by running my 5K today (July 5 '13)...yay! My concern is that even though I can feel more muscle tone in my lower body and feel 'slightly' leaner around my shoulders and chest I have lost no weight...not one pound...and not even partial inches on my measurements. I run 4 times per week and it's been a straight two plus miles for about 3 weeks now. I eat less than I did before I started and I naturally am choosing healthier foods over junk. Am I not giving it enough time? I feel like I should have at least lost something by now :-( Wondering other peoples experience.

    you can't outrun what happens in the kitchen.

    Yes...very true! After only one day of calorie counting I was a little surprised at how quickly they go. I 'thought' I wasn't eating much as I rarely eat out but I definitely noticed how much I grab 'bites' of this and that...and late afternoon to evening is where I'll really have to watch!
  • janzia
    janzia Posts: 76 Member
    I'm sharing this because I think it's hilarious and speaks to my personal challenges - not because I'm assuming that you have this issue. But I hope you enjoy it - it has great insights about weight loss as well.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/beginners/hungry-for-more

    Loved it! Thanks for sharing!
  • czmmom
    czmmom Posts: 236 Member
    First of all - great job on the running and finding an exercise that you enjoy!! For the most part -I echo just about what everyone else says- weight loss is very personal - what works for one person may not work for someone else. To lose weight calories in has to be less than calories out. While running helps me create that deficit - I still need to watch what I eat to make sure I have a deficit. Good luck!!
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    I ran for over a year with no weight loss. I then started counting calories and adding some weights, along with increasing my running. Then I saw results. 3 miles (5k) really isn't a huge calorie burn about 280 cal for me, and I was eating too much. Weight loss happens in the kitchen!!
  • thatjeffsmith
    thatjeffsmith Posts: 110 Member
    I wouldn't call progressing from not being able to run to running 5K "no results" :flowerforyou:

    What she said!

    I lost maybe 20 pounds over the 3 months I did the C25K app? That was watching calories too, around 2k/day. After I progressed through the program I continued to run 3x/week, about a 5k each time. I continued to lose weight, maybe another 25 lbs, taking me down to the 240's.

    When I added weights via CrossFit in November, that put me in turbo mode.

    The results were very noticeable and my wife started getting jealous. Note: I didn't stop running! I did scale back, maybe only 1-2x a week, and maybe only every other week when it got 'cold' down here in Raleigh :)

    I think you can get what you want just by doing cardio, but it might take a lot longer. If you want muscle tone, adding weights to your routine is probably going to be necessary. And that can be body-weight exercises like pull/push-ups, squats, etc.

    Good luck, and don't give up!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    losing weight has everything to do with how much you eat vs how much you burn. You could run 10 miles every day but if you are not eating less than what you burn, you wont lose weight.
  • SRH7
    SRH7 Posts: 2,037 Member
    I'm sharing this because I think it's hilarious and speaks to my personal challenges - not because I'm assuming that you have this issue. But I hope you enjoy it - it has great insights about weight loss as well.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/beginners/hungry-for-more

    Ha ha! Thanks for sharing this. I think we have all been there - you go for a run and think you are burning off a lot of calories and have "earned" that treat. While running is a great calorie burner it is not a magic bullet. When doing C25K I was burning around 300 calories per run/walk. It's not as much as you would expect, I think. But the benefits are not just calorie burn - my body changed shape and my energy levels soared when I started running. Not to mention better posture and confidence.

    My way around overeating is to run first thing on just a cup of coffee and to only eat breakfast when I get back (usually something with a bit of protein). Otherwise there is the temptation to eat before and after. For short runs you usually have enough fuel in the tank from the day before to run without eating first.
  • kpodjan
    kpodjan Posts: 11
    I'm sharing this because I think it's hilarious and speaks to my personal challenges - not because I'm assuming that you have this issue. But I hope you enjoy it - it has great insights about weight loss as well.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/beginners/hungry-for-more

    Ha ha! Thanks for sharing this. I think we have all been there - you go for a run and think you are burning off a lot of calories and have "earned" that treat. While running is a great calorie burner it is not a magic bullet. When doing C25K I was burning around 300 calories per run/walk. It's not as much as you would expect, I think. But the benefits are not just calorie burn - my body changed shape and my energy levels soared when I started running. Not to mention better posture and confidence.

    My way around overeating is to run first thing on just a cup of coffee and to only eat breakfast when I get back (usually something with a bit of protein). Otherwise there is the temptation to eat before and after. For short runs you usually have enough fuel in the tank from the day before to run without eating first.

    This is my favorite time to run. I usually eat 1/2 banana just in case to give me enough to get through :-) I've been 'counting calories' for 4 days now and it's crazy how little I feel I'm eating. Trying to eat healthier options for the most part but 1500 cals isn't much :-( Oh well...it's what I gotta do ;-)
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    The only results that you should expect from running is that you get from A to B and it will improve your cardio fitness.

    Diet for weight loss, exercise for fitness.

    If you aren't losing weight then you are probably eating too much
  • supermodelchic
    supermodelchic Posts: 550 Member
    I hun, I looked at your diary and while some foods are good others are not , you cannot out train a bad diet. You are eating some processed foods, high sodium( water weight) foods, try to stick to lean protein( chicken, tilapia,shrimp) complex carbs( oatmeal, sweet potatoes, quinioa) green veggies fresh not canned, some fresh fruit, healthy fats( almonds, avocado, olive oil)...no white foods, no bread, no dairy, you can get a lot of vitamins from fresh food if you eat a well balanced diet. goodluck:flowerforyou:
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    I hun, I looked at your diary and while some foods are good others are not , you cannot out train a bad diet. You are eating some processed foods, high sodium( water weight) foods, try to stick to lean protein( chicken, tilapia,shrimp) complex carbs( oatmeal, sweet potatoes, quinioa) green veggies fresh not canned, some fresh fruit, healthy fats( almonds, avocado, olive oil)...no white foods, no bread, no dairy, you can get a lot of vitamins from fresh food if you eat a well balanced diet. goodluck:flowerforyou:

    Nothing wrong with white foods, bread or dairy. Not everyone needs to be paleo
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    I hun, I looked at your diary and while some foods are good others are not , you cannot out train a bad diet. You are eating some processed foods, high sodium( water weight) foods, try to stick to lean protein( chicken, tilapia,shrimp) complex carbs( oatmeal, sweet potatoes, quinioa) green veggies fresh not canned, some fresh fruit, healthy fats( almonds, avocado, olive oil)...no white foods, no bread, no dairy, you can get a lot of vitamins from fresh food if you eat a well balanced diet. goodluck:flowerforyou:

    Nothing wrong with white foods, bread or dairy. Not everyone needs to be paleo

    Amen!
  • kpodjan
    kpodjan Posts: 11
    I hun, I looked at your diary and while some foods are good others are not , you cannot out train a bad diet. You are eating some processed foods, high sodium( water weight) foods, try to stick to lean protein( chicken, tilapia,shrimp) complex carbs( oatmeal, sweet potatoes, quinioa) green veggies fresh not canned, some fresh fruit, healthy fats( almonds, avocado, olive oil)...no white foods, no bread, no dairy, you can get a lot of vitamins from fresh food if you eat a well balanced diet. goodluck:flowerforyou:

    I am definitely wanting to move in that direction. I did buy some fresh produce and plan to buy more at the market tomorrow. I've always been a very picky eater but it is slowly starting to expand when foods are prepared correctly. Thanks for your help. :-)

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