Running/Jogging vs. Other Exercises

Cherese1983

Okay so I am reading up on the benefits of running/jogging because I am wanting to lose the extra fat in my midsection and all over for that matter. I was told that running helps with weight loss especially in that area. If you are a runner/jogger how has it benefited you? I am tired of doing the same machines at the gym and am looking for a change. : )

Black_Swan

Runner has helped me drop cm in my waist and hips and thighs even when the scale was not moving. So my body got smaller and firmer. It also brought me peace and a goal at days that seemed otherwise horrible. Also its very very motivating to enter a race, and train for it!
Good luck... its really one of the best things for me, and it might be for you too!

ebelliss

bump! i'd like to see the answers...i need some motivation to keep up my running

dmpizza

Running uses your whole body, especially the core. I feel it on myself. It takes about two weeks in order for you to get used to the running. Make sure you have good sneakers and good supportive clothes.

Cherese1983

Thanks! I am wanting to so some sort of marathon or run next year and wanted to get a jump start on training which is another reason why I want to run. I am not so much concerned with the scale moving anymore as I am toning up my body and losing my stomach. Thanks for the info!

MissMegan3119

I just restarted running. I am not new to it, but my body doesn't seem to get that, haha. I used to run a lot, but as I got heavier, it was harder to do. I started doing the Nike + walk-run program, which helped me get reacquainted with running, but since I have, my legs are getting thinner, and is helping the inches come off. I love it.

ninerbuff

Okay so I am reading up on the benefits of running/jogging because I am wanting to lose the extra fat in my midsection and all over for that matter. I was told that running helps with weight loss especially in that area. If you are a runner/jogger how has it benefited you? I am tired of doing the same machines at the gym and am looking for a change. : )

Any exercise can burn calories. The determining factors are intensity and duration. If you are genetically predisposed to losing fat at the abdominal area last, it wouldn't matter what the exercise was, you would still lose it last.
Now that's not to say that running/jogging isn't great (it is for some and not others) but all forms of exercise offer benefits. Good luck on your search for an exercise that you'll enjoy doing.

lesle1

Hey I lost 111 lbs by running! : )

ninerbuff

Thanks! I am wanting to so some sort of marathon or run next year and wanted to get a jump start on training which is another reason why I want to run. I am not so much concerned with the scale moving anymore as I am toning up my body and losing my stomach. Thanks for the info!

Running doesn't "tone" the arms, back, shoulders or chest. To do that you need resistance against those muscles.

MissMegan3119

Thanks! I am wanting to so some sort of marathon or run next year and wanted to get a jump start on training which is another reason why I want to run. I am not so much concerned with the scale moving anymore as I am toning up my body and losing my stomach. Thanks for the info!

Running doesn't "tone" the arms, back, shoulders or chest. To do that you need resistance against those muscles.

I agree. It's important to balance it with upper and even lower body strength training.

Cherese1983

I understand that. I know I will have to lift weights to tone other areas, but I am more concerned with my midsection than anything.

Cherese1983

Hey I lost 111 lbs by running! : )

That is AWESOME and an inspiration!! Congrats!!

laurenpence

Running is a full body workout.....it burns massive calories while building muscle. YOur legs and butt are the biggest muscle groups in your body and the more lean muscle you have the more calories your body burns at a rest. With the proper running form you will tighten your abs, lean out your arms and of course work your legs and butt. Running has allowed me to avoid blood pressure medicine, helped me lose 40lbs so far and has let me be apart of something much bigger than myself.

ninerbuff

I understand that. I know I will have to lift weights to tone other areas, but I am more concerned with my midsection than anything.

It will take patience. You can't use exercise to spot reduce an area. Body fat reduction is systematic. That means if you lose 1% body fat, it's going to be from everywhere on your body.

ImperfektAngel

I jog and hope to one day be running I'm getting better with my distance all the time and it keeps me motivated!

ninerbuff

Running is a full body workout.....it burns massive calories while building muscle. YOur legs and butt are the biggest muscle groups in your body and the more lean muscle you have the more calories your body burns at a rest. With the proper running form you will tighten your abs, lean out your arms and of course work your legs and butt. Running has allowed me to avoid blood pressure medicine, helped me lose 40lbs so far and has let me be apart of something much bigger than myself.

Sorry will disagree. Science shows calorie deficits(you need it to lose weight) deter muscle building. On contrary, running long endurance times (over 75min) actually burns lean muscle tissue. The misconception of "building muscle" for many is because the visually see it now, where they haven't before, they must be building it. In reality it means you just have less fat and can see the muscle now.

Cherese1983

Running is a full body workout.....it burns massive calories while building muscle. YOur legs and butt are the biggest muscle groups in your body and the more lean muscle you have the more calories your body burns at a rest. With the proper running form you will tighten your abs, lean out your arms and of course work your legs and butt. Running has allowed me to avoid blood pressure medicine, helped me lose 40lbs so far and has let me be apart of something much bigger than myself.

That's awesome!!! Great job on your loss and thank you for the info and encouragement!

gimedatnow

Running is amazing!! Great cardio and high energy output, while building lean muscle! Plus, if you run long-distances, you can really get a nice tour of your neighborhood or a local area.

Just be careful to log your calories and not go over! When I first started long-distance running, I would go out for 5 miles (that's 50 min of running for me) and only burn 450 kcal... That's like a cup of rice and some chicken with a small piece of fruit. I guess in retrospect that's actually quite a lot of food, but when you're out there for 50 min, you feel like you've earned a whole lot more.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Happy running!

jmhunter84

I want to get into running, but I am just not motivated right now, and terrifed of running on the treadmill.

gimedatnow

Hey I lost 111 lbs by running! : )

Omg! Wow, what an inspiration!

stormieweather

Running has done amazing things to my thighs, hips, butt and waist. Compared to much more intense workouts on the elliptical or stationary bike, running is 10 times more effective (for me).

Note that I am a terrible runner and struggle with everything over 1/4 mile. But I give it my all anyway and I'm very slowly improving. The inches lost on my midsection are MORE than worth all the pain.

lipglossjunky73

I have done ever workout known to man (and woman). And nothing, NOTHING has changed my body the way running has. And dammit, I hate to run most of the time. But I like being thin, so it's a small price to pay. The only way ICANN stay motivation is to always be signed up for a race!

ambermichon

been working out for 2 years and have always hated running mainly because I am bad at it...couldnt go very long on the treadmill or outdoors. Granted I have done the arc machine, elliptical, spin class, stairmaster etc all at high intensities, but alas I still couldnt endure a run. My current trainer said I should be able to run for 20 mins without stopping so I started and slowly but surely got there. Now I love it and can run 3-4 miles with no problem and I feel great....it also helped me lose another 8 lbs. Probably due to the fact that it was different for me and my body and challenged me.

anna_b1

This is so good to read because I'm currently doing the C25K (week 6) and was seriously considering quitting since I just didn't feel enthused after running nor was I really wild about it at all in fact.

I've readjusted some things (mainly my mindset) and am determined to carry through, but I still am so inspired reading how running has benefited so many of you.