Is running alone enough to lose weight?

azbarrelracer1323
azbarrelracer1323 Posts: 26 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I run at least 2.5 miles per day. (cuz its a workout that fits my schedule) I Track my food, and eat back the calories I burnt running... But I am not losing weight, I am gaining. Is running that amount not enough?

Replies

  • rusialeelee
    rusialeelee Posts: 143
    Diet 8: 2 Exercise

    :D
  • AprilAye
    AprilAye Posts: 22 Member
    You can't eat back the calories you just burnt off. You'll either gain weight or stay at the same weight. Burn off a minimum of one meal everyday. 2.5 miles a day is really good.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    If you're gaining weight you're either overestimating the calories burned running or underestimating your calories consumed.One does not gain fat eating at a deficit. (Is it, perhaps, a pound or two fluctuation .....water weight?)
  • azbarrelracer1323
    azbarrelracer1323 Posts: 26 Member
    It's 10lbs. I enter the running in my diary on her. I ran a 8min mile usually at 23-25mins. I enter ecerthing I eat in here. I am at a rodeo this weekend so have had a few cocktails. I like my drinks thru the week but account for everyone of them.
  • timboom1
    timboom1 Posts: 762 Member
    No, running does not do anything to lose weight by itself, only if you have a calorie deficit will you lose, otherwise not. If you are up 10 then there is something in your calorie math that doesn't add up. Try knocking down your calories 200-500 per day and see what happens. Running just gives your more calories on the output side of the equation, you need to look at the input side and balance it out.
  • LaurianRocks
    LaurianRocks Posts: 54 Member
    How long have you been running? I've actually gained weight in the 4 months I've been running, but lost inches... and I eat 2000-2500 calories a day. :) I've slimmed down a lot but I weigh more. I don't mind.:glasses:
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    You don't have to do any exercise at all to lose weight. Running can be used to create or increase a caloric deficit. Or just to train for an event. Or to improve cardio fitness and health. Or to pass the time. Or to flee from criminals. Or zombies. Especially zombies.
  • wjniii
    wjniii Posts: 110 Member
    No. I trained for and ran 6 marathons and never lost a pound until I modified my diet to have a calorie deficit.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I run at least 2.5 miles per day. (cuz its a workout that fits my schedule) I Track my food, and eat back the calories I burnt running... But I am not losing weight, I am gaining. Is running that amount not enough?
    When you saying you're "gaining" what does that mean? How much weight, over how long have you gained?
  • Levi_Hansen
    Levi_Hansen Posts: 44 Member
    Running is a great cardio exercise for slimming and toning. I use it to keep my body honest. It is 1/2 of the equation for me. Using mfp to count calories and aim for a deficit is the other side.

    However, even if I am not counting calories - running regularly has helped to keep most of the fat off - so I think that's a huge plus in the battle of the bulge.
  • azbarrelracer1323
    azbarrelracer1323 Posts: 26 Member
    I meant exercise wise is it enough? I know eating is a big part of it. Thanks all!
  • MrDude_1
    MrDude_1 Posts: 2,510 Member
    2quote]
    I meant exercise wise is it enough? I know eating is a big part of it. Thanks all!
    [/quote]

    Depends on your end goal.
    Look at runners bodies, then look at athletes that weight train, then at bodybuilders.

    Running doesn't slow muscle catabolism. Lifting weights does. If you're okay with the end goal being a runner's body, then running is enough.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I meant exercise wise is it enough? I know eating is a big part of it. Thanks all!

    It's not that simple because you're eating back your exercise cals. So, there's more to it than "is it enough". If you stick to a consistent diet and not eat any extra, and then run, yes, now you are creating a deficit and might start losing weight.

    You are either over esitmating your burn, or you are eating too much to begin with. The only way you gain is by not having enough of a deficit to lose.

    There are a bunch of ways to do this. But, if you are just going by what MFP is telling you, there is a possibility that it's off a little from where your body is. Nothing is exact, you kind of have to mess around with the numbers for a while and find something that works.

    I'd say try not to eat back your exercise cals for a week.

    2.5 miles really isn't that much. Maybe around 300 or 400 cals, depending on your height, weight, etc.
  • bpmartyr
    bpmartyr Posts: 141
    [/quote]

    Depends on your end goal.
    Look at runners bodies, then look at athletes that weight train, then at bodybuilders.

    Running doesn't slow muscle catabolism. Lifting weights does. If you're okay with the end goal being a runner's body, then running is enough.
    [/quote]

    I think you are referring to distance runners? Look at a sprinters body: http://assets.vice.com/content-images/contentimage/no-slug/c41425eb11e4586322174aac50ba52a6.jpg
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
    Diet 8: 2 Exercise

    :D

    You win the thread!
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    [/quote]

    Depends on your end goal.
    Look at runners bodies, then look at athletes that weight train, then at bodybuilders.

    Running doesn't slow muscle catabolism. Lifting weights does. If you're okay with the end goal being a runner's body, then running is enough.
    [/quote]

    Sprinters tens to gain muscle bulk - but distance runners build leaner muscle. Increased muscle helps to burn fat better. But every one is correct - it is all about calories in versus calories out. Don't eat back your calories burned and see how that works.
  • apriltrainer
    apriltrainer Posts: 732 Member
    Diet 8: 2 Exercise

    :D

    You win the thread!

    I double ditto this!

    What happens when you can't run anymore??? I used to be an avid runner and ate like CRAP and kept it off. And then I came to a point where I couldn't run...still ate like crap...gained weight. SO I never connected the dots. I thought I had to keep running my *kitten* off.

    Well when I injured my ankle AGAIn, and decided to focus on my diet alone...weight came off...without running.

    Now I no longer run at all.

    Running still has it's place but you can lose weight without it.
  • mermegan
    mermegan Posts: 143
    Diet 8: 2 Exercise

    :D

    You win the thread!

    I double ditto this!

    What happens when you can't run anymore??? I used to be an avid runner and ate like CRAP and kept it off. And then I came to a point where I couldn't run...still ate like crap...gained weight. SO I never connected the dots. I thought I had to keep running my *kitten* off.

    Well when I injured my ankle AGAIn, and decided to focus on my diet alone...weight came off...without running.

    Now I no longer run at all.

    Running still has it's place but you can lose weight without it.


    I'm with you. I used to run all the time until I injured my ankle post half marathon. I switched to hot yoga, swimming, and bootcamp when my ankle isn't hurting too badly. It hasn't had any effect on my weight loss, in fact I feel better without long distance runs—it was just too hard on my body and I didn't enjoy it enough. For me it's all about counting calories and going full force with whatever workout I'm doing. Plus for me, running 7+ miles made me want to eat hard core and it was hard to manage!

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