How heavy is too heavy to run?

mpe1967

I discovered running at 195lbs. I got up to an hour a day and I loved it! I guess either the weight or the over doing it caused my right foot to hurt (like a metatarsol break) I am back up to 208lbs. because I stopped running but I LOVE it and I do not want to stop. So my question is, am I too heavy to run? My dad thinks I need to lose another 50lbs. before attempting to run again. I see these guys on biggest loser running and I can't understand why it doesn't bother them so much. Please help, thanks.

maddiey

I discovered running at 195lbs. I got up to an hour a day and I loved it! I guess either the weight or the over doing it caused my right foot to hurt (like a metatarsol break) I am back up to 208lbs. because I stopped running but I LOVE it and I do not want to stop. So my question is, am I too heavy to run? My dad thinks I need to lose another 50lbs. before attempting to run again. I see these guys on biggest loser running and I can't understand why it doesn't bother them so much. Please help, thanks.

I have never heard of anyone being too heavy to run! I really doubt it, but I could be totally wrong. If it does give you a lot of strain though, try power walking. If you're walking fast enough, it will get up your heart rate, but not put an impact on you as much. Also, double check you have good quality shoes and the ground is good. If you run on a side walk, it will be much harder and have a harder impact on your feet/calves than running on a track or treadmill. Honestly, running hurt my shins SOO BAD when I first started I couldn't do it till I built up the strength on a treadmill with great shoes. I wear Nike's (:

MoreBean13

There's no such number. At a heavier weight, you just need to be aware of the tolerance of your joints- some people will tolerate it and some won't. You also need to be mindful of your cardiovascular limits. But sore joints and CV issues plague everyone, fat and thin, and everyone needs to be mindful of their limits and add mileage safely to avoid injury.

_Punjab

You know, I have the same problem when I workout. It's any work out for me really, not just running. There's no weight limit per se, but like maddiey said, your weight may be putting extra strain on your foot. You may want to try going to a podiatrist so that they can check it out and give the the proper supports you need for your shoes so that you aren't causing any injury.

cryshelle247

im by far heavier than u by alot and i was running today well jogging i may not can run a mile like i use to but i can pick my feet up off the ground and run rather it be 5 minutes thats more than not running at all prefer to run than walk anyways why walk for 30 minutes when u can run for 15 lol .. i also agree a good shoe support may help u can do it though dont give up you can do anything u put your mind to hun

meerkat70

I'm still heavier than you, and have been running for quite some time. (I'm doing a half marathon next week.)

It's more likely your injury is down to something else - poorly fitted shoes, running regularly on a surface that is cambered in a way that puts strain on your leg, overload (too much too soon), etc.

thelovelyLIZ

Your weight might not be the only factor causing you pain. Check your form and make sure you have a running shoe that suits your body and style.

glonigan

I think you are okay to run at any weight. As for your foot pain, (if bad go see doctor) make sure you are giving yourself time to recover between runs. I pushed myself way to hard and got to enjoy 3 weeks in a boot with a stress fracture. I learned to listen to my body and supplement my running with an exercise bike on off run days. Best of luck to you.

Susieanna

I think the most important thing is knowing your own limitations so that you don't overdo it and end up worse than before. A really great form of training that burns a lot of fat is doing intervals so you could walk for three minutes run for 30 seconds or walk for 5 run for 1... whatever suits your fitness level... And then start slowly increasing the time you run and decreasing the time you walk, then VOILA! you are running again :happy:

All the best and happy running, theres no better feeling then after you've been jogging it out!

SiouxPrincess

I weigh over that and I fast walk for .5 miles then jog for a 1 mile @ 5.2 MPH. When I first started I was doing 1 mile then I went up to 2 miles a day for 3-4 days a week. It feels great and I haven't had an injuries because of it. As long as you feel great and you don't have any pain afterwards I say go for it. Just make sure you are comfortable, have great shoes and don't push yourself. I never thought that I would ever hear the words " I love to jog" come out of my mouth but it does every time I finish my jog.

stubbysticks

I agree with the others in that it's unlikely your weight is the issue. Listen to the advice about getting shoes - go to a running store and get a gait analysis so you buy the right kind. It could also be a matter of not giving your body enough rest between runs. If you're not using a training program like Couch to 5k, that could be holding you back as well.

ETA I started running at 300 lbs and having a training schedule has been essential to making consistent progress.

mpe1967

Thanks for the advice.

litatura

I think that it all depends on you body and you need to listen to it. I have a bad knee and I wasn't able to comfortably switch from power walking to running until I got under 150lbs (I tried when I was about 165lbs. and it was too hard on my knee - I can't even imagine running when I was over 200lbs.! )

mpe1967

The trick is to run slow and on a gravel track. You are right though, I should probably watch out for knee problems at this weight.

madisonsteelex

Never too heavy to run, just don't over work yourself! You might have not been running correctly or not had the right shoes.

madisonsteelex

im by far heavier than u by alot and i was running today well jogging i may not can run a mile like i use to but i can pick my feet up off the ground and run rather it be 5 minutes thats more than not running at all prefer to run than walk anyways why walk for 30 minutes when u can run for 15 lol .. i also agree a good shoe support may help u can do it though dont give up you can do anything u put your mind to hun

anybody else have to read this like 4 times and still not understand?

girlonfire15

Ditto on what everyone else said - there's no such thing as being 'too heavy' to run, you just have to know your own body's limits.

meerkat70

im by far heavier than u by alot and i was running today well jogging i may not can run a mile like i use to but i can pick my feet up off the ground and run rather it be 5 minutes thats more than not running at all prefer to run than walk anyways why walk for 30 minutes when u can run for 15 lol .. i also agree a good shoe support may help u can do it though dont give up you can do anything u put your mind to hun

anybody else have to read this like 4 times and still not understand?

If you breathe in the right places, it's almost like punctuation, and then it makes perfect sense.

Brandicaloriecountess

I discovered running at 195lbs. I got up to an hour a day and I loved it! I guess either the weight or the over doing it caused my right foot to hurt (like a metatarsol break) I am back up to 208lbs. because I stopped running but I LOVE it and I do not want to stop. So my question is, am I too heavy to run? My dad thinks I need to lose another 50lbs. before attempting to run again. I see these guys on biggest loser running and I can't understand why it doesn't bother them so much. Please help, thanks.

As long as your body tolerates running and you enjoy it, then DO IT!!!
I actually was around your weight when I started c25k

skullshank

i ran at 242....still running at 206...

cbeutler

I started at 300+ the form keeps you from getting hurt.

Check out good form running on New Balance's website.

jhardenbergh

I have been running since I was around 300 lbs so I am sure you're fine, just get a good pair of sneakers

StarkLark

I'm at 335ish now and I run 2-3 times per week. Sometimes on the road, but usually on a turf soccer field. I never have any pain, and I've been running since around 450 lbs.

carolann_22

That has happened to me even walking - I think I had my shoes too tightly laced. Hurts for about a week terribly, all bruised on the top of the foot, then goes away. I've never stopped exercising because of it, just laced my shoes more lightly and kept trucking.

Kitiara47

I started running around 215 or so. At 198, I still feel too uncomfortable to run outside, but I'm not going to let that stop me from hopping on a treadmill! I think it's one of the best things I could have done for myself! Make sure you have a good pair of running shoes. I had a lot of problems with the top of my feet. As soon as I got an actual pair of running shoes, I've had no foot pain.

heybales

Here's method I've used to stop the injuries I always seemed to get by overdoing it.
I used to go by HR to decide speed, but you can improve your heart much faster than your joints may be able to take the load.
And it is a bummer that running is one of those things where if you are injured, the recovery is bear even with normal walking many times. And would hate to blow the knees out before you get to a weight to really fly and enjoy it.

So this table shows weeks to change goal, I just changed that to 5 lb ranges. Week 11 of doing 20 min non-stop is about 10 lbs above goal weight. And then keep adding 5 lb range to each week. So that covers a 50 lb range of loss.

As you lose 5 lbs you go to next week. If that still hurts knees, you adjust the scale again. What's nice about this too is basically you are doing intervals, especially when you get to point of making the run part faster. And intervals can help burn that fat faster than steady state cardio.

http://www.exrx.net/Aerobic/JogWalkProgram.html

fhsjewfro

i would heavily advise against running if you are over weight, no matter the circumstances it is taking its toll on your joints and it is VERY likely that you if you do continue to put that much stress on your joints that it will become a major issue down the road

Solution without a gym membership - walk at a good pace. If you REALLY just love to run but are overweight then you need to make sure you are using correct form while running and actually go out and buy good running shoes (and no nikes are not good running shoes). Also, running on pavement or concrete is absolutely horrible for your joints, find a dirt track, or run in the grass.

Solution with a gym membership - stationary bike or elliptical can AND SHOULD be your best friends. Both of these are very low impact on your joints but you can still burn adequate calories. Stay away from the treadmill if at all possible.

anyone who has more detailed questions can feel more than free to send me a message

good luck to everyone!

ATT949

im by far heavier than u by alot and i was running today well jogging i may not can run a mile like i use to but i can pick my feet up off the ground and run rather it be 5 minutes thats more than not running at all prefer to run than walk anyways why walk for 30 minutes when u can run for 15 lol .. i also agree a good shoe support may help u can do it though dont give up you can do anything u put your mind to hun

anybody else have to read this like 4 times and still not understand?

I started to read it and, to me, it simply isn't worth it.

Refusing to use punctuation is an excellent way to cut down on the number of people who might otherwise be interested in your ideas.

heybales

im by far heavier than u by alot and i was running today well jogging i may not can run a mile like i use to but i can pick my feet up off the ground and run rather it be 5 minutes thats more than not running at all prefer to run than walk anyways why walk for 30 minutes when u can run for 15 lol .. i also agree a good shoe support may help u can do it though dont give up you can do anything u put your mind to hun

anybody else have to read this like 4 times and still not understand?

I started to read it and, to me, it simply isn't worth it.

Refusing to use punctuation is an excellent way to cut down on the number of people who might otherwise be interested in your ideas.

This shows exactly why if you make it easier responding to forums from the phone by means of the app, what you'll end up with in general I'd bet.

Wow, think there are misunderstanding now - wait until abbreviated words and thoughts and no punctuation enter the picture.

ATT949

I discovered running at 195lbs. I got up to an hour a day and I loved it! I guess either the weight or the over doing it caused my right foot to hurt (like a metatarsol break) I am back up to 208lbs. because I stopped running but I LOVE it and I do not want to stop. So my question is, am I too heavy to run? My dad thinks I need to lose another 50lbs. before attempting to run again. I see these guys on biggest loser running and I can't understand why it doesn't bother them so much. Please help, thanks.

The amount of stress that being overweight puts on our entire body is staggering. Depending on who you read, every pound puts something like 4 pounds of stress on our knees.

I'm 6' 1" and tried running when I was about 230 pounds. No way. The pain was just not worth it. Understanding that obesity compromises so many of our body systems, I came to the conclusion that there was no way I wanted to put my recovery systems through that abuse. Instead, I stuck with the elliptical, which is zero impact.

I didn't start running 'til I was 209 pounds and that allowed me to follow a training plan. On August 19, 2011, just ten weeks after I started running, I ran a half marathon and finished it easily with zero injuries.

I would recommend against running when seriously overweight.

According to Runner's World, two out of three recreational runners are "injured" over the course of a year. Knowing that the injury rate is that high, why would you take a chance?

Some running injuries are due to trauma, most are overuse injuries which come from putting too much strain on the lower half of the body. The problem with overuse injuries is that most times, you don't feel anything 'til it's too late. As a novice runner, you don't have the experience to know what injuries to watch out for (there's about half a dozen common injuries) yet you're stilling beating up your body each time you run.

In that obesity puts so much more strain on the body and in that there are other exercises that give a safe cardio workout, why would you take the chance?

bcattoes

There is no one-size fits all weight that makes you too heavy to run. It's more a question of fitness level and indiviuality. The best bet would be to check with your physician. But, if you don't want to do that, then listen to your body. If it is telling you it's too much, then cut back some. Do intervals of running and walking for a while, and gradually add more running as you become more fit. Or continue with the intervals. You can burn just as many calories that way.

Make sure you have good quality shoes that fit well and support your feet. All feet are not alike, A shoe that worked perfect for a friend may not be the shoe for you. Get fitted by a professional if you can. And if a specific joint is giving you grief, you might consider a brace for it.