For runners!! What has running done for you?

Marie3391

I would like to pick up running again, on the treadmill for now, until it gets warmer. When I was at my lowest weight I did it through running almost every day. It's such a great workout for the entire body!

So I'm curious, what has running done for you? Did it help you lose weight? Lose body fat? Tone up? How has it helped you get closer to your goals?

Meggles63

I just started running a few weeks ago, using the C25K..never ran before in my life. I LOVE it. I feel so empowered. So mentally, it made a BIG difference. Physically, I feel my legs getting stronger and leaner (which I needed) and my core feels tighter. I'm doing strength training on my off days, and the running seems to compliment that perfectly.

Nigelmouse

I consider running to be the biggest cause of my weight loss, it's a great cardio workout and I'm getting to enjoy it quite a lot.

Faeriegirl74

At first, running didn't help me lose weight. It took not only running, but also eating better - that's when the weight dropped.

For me - running has given me more self confidence than I ever thought I had.

primalchaos

Running has been my main cardio for the last 5 months (treadmill). Overall, I've lost 65 lbs but also increased my stamina to go from walking with interval spikes to running for 30-40 minutes each day. It's not been easy and some days I'd love to skip it, but it has been extremely effective at burning calories.

I have even signed up for a few 5ks this spring and summer. It's been almost 28 years since the last time I competed in anything fitness related so I'm pretty excited to see how it goes. I'm sure I'll finish though it could be tougher than I expect it to be.

CallieRettig

I've been running for a year now, and when I started I couldn't even make it a lap around the track and now I'm prepping for a half marathon. Running has made me more mentally tough than my 10 years of gymnastics ever could. I didnt lose much weight, but my body looked more fit and toned...less "meatball-ish" Also, the energy I have everyday is better than when I was a kid! Running makes me feel like I can do anything and different 5ks and other running events continually make me set goals. I also did a Warrior Dash and placed in the top 1,000 out of 10,000 Sooo I'd say pick that running habit back up, girl!

bigtone34

I agree, its the biggest part of my weight loss. It also has become an addiction to me as well, it is the biggest stress reliever I could ask for. Nothing better than coming home from work and starting a run.

scs143

Besides dropping 54 lbs, it's a great stress reliever for me. I love it. I never thought I would and there are days where I have to make myself do it, but the feeling of accomplishment that I get after, is amazing. Keeps me going.

carynlondon

I started running in September, and the biggest change I've seen in the last 6 months is mental. I feel calmer, and I don't "eat my feelings" as much as before. Running has really been a great outlet for stress, anxiety, boredom.. basically all the reasons I would find myself snacking.

Physically, running has helped me tone, especially my lower body. It's also increased my endurance for any physical activity.

achief192

I lost 30 pounds by running ~12 miles a week and eating ~1500 calories a day over 6 months

wapan

I've run for years and I find the biggest pro is that my strong cardio. I can join pretty much any sport and be confident that my cardio will help me learn and adjust faster than if I wasn't a runner.

mum23boys

Running has transformed my body. I love to run and love the way it makes me feel. I have lost weight running (eating healthier too!) and am enjoying my new, slimmer self. I feel empowered and love that I am the one who controls my workout - the speed, intensity and hills is all up to me. I never thought I'd get so into but now I crave a run if I haven't for a couple days - I am addicted!

Punkedpoetess

Not only has running been a big part of my weight loss and maintainence journey, running also helps me with handling stress and keeps me from becoming depressed.

klezotte

Great weight loss tool, but it also pushes you, it's you against yourself. You can go up that hill or not, you can run faster or not, you can run a race, or just for fun. It does transform you mentally and physically. Also, you don't need a lot of stuff to do it.

sjtreely

It's helped me lose weight.
It's given me confidence after my divorce.
It's given me the chance to meet some really incredible people.
It's given me the opportunity to see parts of the United States that I never would have seen.
It's made my relationship with my son stronger.
It's made me ask myself, "Why not? Why not me?"

Other than the part of making my relationship with my son stronger, the neatest thing running has done for me is ........

It's given me the opportunity to showcase 36 half marathon medals on 36 bottles of wine.

I'm doing half marathons in all 50 states. I buy a bottle of wine made in each state. I'm giving them to my kids when I die. It's going to be an awesome wine tasting party!

If this would have been posted on Sunday, my numbers would be 37. I'm crossing off VA this weekend. With my son.

rugbygirlca

Running is my 'no excuses' exercise. It's basically free (just a good pair of running shoes), it gets you outside in the fresh air and you can do it anywhere. On a day when I am really busy, I can squeeze in 30 minutes before work, at lunch or after the kids go to bed in the evening. I'm not on anyone else's schedule and there's no need to drive anywhere first.

It took me quite a while to start getting the runner's 'high'. My legs and cardio used to give out on me at about 30 minutes, just as I was getting into a mental groove. Now, my heart, lungs and legs can go for over an hour easily and I slip into the happy zone in just 10 minutes or so.

I used to define people who ran in the dark OR the cold as dedicated and those who ran in the dark AND the cold as crazy. I have now joined the ranks of the crazy people.

Having said that...I have a wicked case of patellar tendonitis and have to take it somewhat easy at the moment.

cmpettey

I ran in high school, stopped, ran in college, stopped and started running again in April, I think. When I started back up I couldn't run more than 10 min and now I'm training for a half marathon. Running gives me the energy to get through my day. I have so much more energy on run days and I don't feel like passing out after lunch anymore. I attribute my weight loss more to diet, but my toning is from running. My calves especially look so much more toned.

nuttyfamily

I've been running for about 18 months. Never ran in my life before that.

What has it done for me:

Eases maintenance of goal weight
Gained confidence
More stamina
Can keep up with my teenagers
Love races - the camaraderie
I feel stronger all around physically
Keeps me sane - love losing myself in a good run with my own thoughts and feelings

carynlondon

It's helped me lose weight.
It's given me confidence after my divorce.
It's given me the chance to meet some really incredible people.
It's given me the opportunity to see parts of the United States that I never would have seen.
It's made my relationship with my son stronger.
It's made me ask myself, "Why not? Why not me?"

Other than the part of making my relationship with my son stronger, the neatest thing running has done for me is ........

It's given me the opportunity to showcase 36 half marathon medals on 36 bottles of wine.

I'm doing half marathons in all 50 states. I buy a bottle of wine made in each state. I'm giving them to my kids when I die. It's going to be an awesome wine tasting party!

If this would have been posted on Sunday, my numbers would be 37. I'm crossing off VA this weekend. With my son.

Amazing idea!

sakamanojr

Running has given me a healthy body which has translated into more energy when others are fading, better concentration.
It has also allowed me to have my own personal STRESS MANAGEMENT relief as I can either forget about things for a little while or work on problems while I have some time on my own.

Good luck.

And I also find it be so simple to put on shorts, t-shirt and shoes and I am ready to go. No stress of having to wait for a specific time to start or wait for teammates.

JoolieW68

Besides helping me to lose weight, it helps to relieve stress and give me a great boost of self esteem to know I can do it. A year ago I couldn't run 1/4 mile, now I can do 4 without stopping (at a decent pace, too).

Some days I look forward to it, some days I really don't, but any day I run I feel better about it afterwards.

ludgerclay

I started inline skating in 2002 to lose some weight, so that I could stop smoking without getting fat from the subsequent weight gain. I started running in 2003 with a friend, we ran our first amrathon together, and I continued to run while he battled melanoma. He survived and is healthy again, and I've continued running, crazy long distance (100 mile runs), and 43 marathons in 2011. Running has given me a great stress reliever away from a stresstfull job, reduced my cholesterol by 40 points, helped me keep a decent body weight, brought my blood pressure to a textbook 120 / 80, and given me a resting pulse rate of 48 bpm. It has also given me the physical confidence, at age 51, to do things that I may have otherwise shied away from (hiking, ball hockey, running with my dog, kayaking). I'm also pretty certain that running is helping to keep my mentally sharp.

RazorbackRich

Like most others have said, Running has been the main thing helping me to lose weight. I also agree with the stress relief. I use it to just get out and cleear my head. Now I will run for an hour at a time and not even take music.

8 months ago, I started the C25k program again and found it challenging to run the short times, but now I am training for my 2nd half marathon, and being able to look at that progress really makes it all worth it. It also has increased my energy levels in other day-to-day activities and there really is no comparison for that!

dsak

I've never been a runner.... ever! But... I started with a walking/running program last spring (mostly walking), then I did the C25K on the treadmill over the summer, and again outside last fall. I can finally say that I am a runner, and I now really enjoy it.

It is definitely the biggest calorie burner for me and a great cardio workout. It also is a stress reliever. It is my "me" time. I now run every other day (5-6 miles), and I am hooked.

I think running is great for the boy, mind and spirit!

aj_gettingfit

I really need to pick up running again. I should have never stopped. Thanks for the reminders as to why running is good for you.

kgarman

Despite all the physical pluses running has done... the mental side of it is the biggest thing I've gained. I've said time and time again, golf and running are two of the most mentally challenging activities you can participate in. Hockey, football, baseball, etc. are no where near as mentally taxing as running is - at least for me.

It's the big FU to those who said I can't do it because I'm too fat and slow. It's a big FU to myself when I start to have doubts about finishing a run or even starting one for that matter. It's literally changed my mental approach to challenges in life. In stead of saying "this hurts, I'm going to slow down for just x minutes" I now say "suck it up, if you can run 2 miles then you can run 3".

LongRunner77

Great question...started running years ago as weight management....just could never keep it consistent. Then 2-3 years ago when I started back up I signed up for a 5k and something clicked...I fell in love with running...not only does it help keep the weight off, it's given me more energy, confidence and I love how it challenges me every day. I've met a bunch of great people. I started with a 5k and have worked my way up to a 50 miler later this year in hopes of some time in the next couple of years completing a 100 mile run!!!

Sox90716

It's my daily anti-depressant!

mikeyrp

I started running in early 2011. I cant remember the sequence exactly but I think I had just started dieting and had already joined MFP.

I wasn't doing much exercise - a couple of trips to the gym a week with up to an hour of CV done on several machines. Normally elliptical and rowing. At the time this felt like very hard work: 30 minutes on one machine was hard to do, even 'cruising'. i wasnt exactly sedentary but I wasn't fit either. I was also 14 stone. (196lb)

My sister asked me if I would do the 2011 London 10K for the Brighton MS centre - a charity who have given her fantastic support since she was diagnosed with MS in 2009. I agreed and started training properly.

Not long before the 10K I joined my local running club. At this time I was extremely proud - to the point of being a little cocky - of my my target time of 50 minutes. It didn't take me long to realise that I was a very average runner by the groups standards. I constantly burned out on the training sessions (interval training, hills, speedwork etc). My first 'social run' was 6 miles... I was killing myself trying to keep up with the middle runners... whilst they were all chatting merrily and enjoying the sunshine,...

Since then, with a lot of good coaching, plus hard work and supportive friends I have built up to 20 miles as my longest run (2 marathons due in April!! ), a 44 minute 10K, 1h39 half marathon, and an ability to have a good laugh whilst putting a lot of miles under my feet.

I've lost nearly 2 and a half stone - I now weigh 163 lb and don't intend to loose any more (OK, maybe two or three lb - but only because I like round numbers...)

I have made some fantastic friends and really feel like part of a community

I've seen a lot of the beautiful local country side which I would never have seen otherwise - including some stunning snowscapes. When travelling with work it gets me out in the evenings and I get to see places which otherwise would have been invisible to me.

I think most importantly, I've started viewing food as fuel for exercise rather than exercise as a way of allowing me to eat more food. And of course, better quality food = better performance.

On the downside, I own an alarming amount of Lycra. I think I need to join a team of super heros.

briggsy13

I have fallen in love with running. I can remember in school dreading having to run the 1 mile for sports. Now I consistently run 3 miles at a shot. For me, not only has it helped me lose weight, but I just feel better. Its my sanity as well. I am a sahm to 3 and I run on the treadmill at naptime. The days I don't run I have less patience with them. Its just been a great experience for me!!!

suziecue66

Do you runners get frequent injuries from running?
I've started jogging more on my treadmill and increasing incline hoping for some fat loss.