Weight Loss and running

leanneakaliz
leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Those of you that are runners / who have recently started running did you see difference in weight loss and did it help you tone up etc?
Basically im asking for anyone's experience of changes to their body when they first started running.
I have ran most days just a mile or 2 since Jan 1st but my weight has stayed exactly the same. I am just wondering if that will change or if not is it because you gain muscle etc ? I am eating between 1200 and 1400 cals a day :)

Thank you :)

Replies

  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    Oh forgot to add: Do any of you bother with protein shakes etc ?

    Thank you again and sorry for the 21 questions, I am a relatively new runner and am just trying to learn as much as I can :)
  • feebz36
    feebz36 Posts: 32 Member
    I have just started running with a friend who is a very good runner. I started just before hogmany and have been training every second day. It has been getting easier, not easy, but more comfortable. I noticed that I felt slimmer, and that i look more toned, but my weight has actually gone up. I have put on 5lbs, even though I look better than before. My friend assures me that it is just because of my muscles developing. you could see my ribs a bit much before and now i look more smooth which is better! I have not changed my diet, even though I have been feeling hungry which is nice... means i enjoy my meals more! She says that when we step up the training we might have to include the protein drinks to aid recovery, but that will not be until later.

    Sorry for the long reply, just glad someone else is wondering these things. All I keep thinking is that you never see overweight people springing along like wee gazelles so it must keep you trim! (Ihope!)
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    aha yes totally ! I did toning dvds like 30day shred etc that really helped tone and loose inches but I gained weight due to muscle which really isnt a bad thing and I will go back to it! I would just like to get rid of the xmas weight first lol :P

    I ran my first mile today felt so good that I did it without stopping. These things are small accomplishments but it helps when you ache and have a stitch in your side lol, makes you carry on :)

    Thank you for replying :)
  • SpleenThief
    SpleenThief Posts: 293 Member

    Basically im asking for anyone's experience of changes to their body when they first started running.


    Thank you :)

    I lost 100 pounds running (diet was a part of it as well of course). For working out I only ran but I ran a lot. As far as body changes go, my legs were RIPPED. The rest of me just got thin. I only used protein shakes after runs of 16 miles or more. I have no idea if they helped or not.
  • kingofcrunk
    kingofcrunk Posts: 372 Member
    Running is one of the best ways to lose weight in my opinion. It helped me so much. Maybe your muscles are sore or something - just keep at it and you'll see the difference in no time.
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    Thanks for your experiences :) It really helps that others out there have started and continued and it really has made a change to their weight :) However if I loose weight or not I will still continue to run as I know it will make me healthier and I enjoy the challenge :)
    The weightloss will just be a massive bonus :P
  • emtjmac
    emtjmac Posts: 1,320 Member
    Here's my non-expert opinion, always consult a physician before starting any diet or exercise plan. Losing weight is 80% diet. If you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight. It matters not by what mechanism you burn the calories. I am a banana.
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    To burn more calories than I consume would take up so much time ? :S Does anyone really have the spare time to do that ?
  • SweetSailor
    SweetSailor Posts: 81 Member
    Yes! I could credit every time I've been svelte in my life to running. On the flip side of that I only weigh myself once a month (if that) and that's reluctantly, but when I really work running in to my program, it seems like suddenly all my clothes are baggy.

    Be sure to add a little strength training and squats, maybe some stairs and a good stretching, and give it a few more weeks.

    As far a protein, I'm not a big breakfast person so I eat a low sugar protein bar every morning (I'm usually too crazed to deal with a shake). After all workouts I either eat apple and PB or 2% or whole greek yogurt and fruit.

    You can add me, I love running friends!
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    When I started running my weight loss stalled for about 3-4 weeks, which sucked of course. It then started to pick up again as my body got used to the running routine. I would drink a protein shake usually after I got back from my run when I was in a hurry to get ready for work. If I had extra time I would skip the shake and go for a higher calorie breakfast after the run, usually consisting of several eggs, greek yogurt, toast, and a 1/2c of milk.
  • sophieclarev
    sophieclarev Posts: 55
    No expert but in my life....I lost 24kg with diet and running. My legs are much much better than before but I've always been muscular. I was running up to 21km and never needed protein shakes or electrolyte drinks. I don't do protein shakes. I do natural protein (meat, dairy, beans, legumes). Water and bananas were my pre run fuel and after I'd have more water and a meal like tuna and salad veges. A good 30grams of protein too not just a wee snack..

    Oh and the burn more calories than you eat...remember that you burn calories by being alive. You do NOT need to burn more calories through exercise to lose body fat.

    Good luck with your running
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    Thank you :)

    I will ad strength training but last time I did my weight just went up and up though my body did slim down and tone.
    I think starting next week I am just going to start some strength training and just forget about the scale until the end of Jan.
    Even then if I havent lost any weight I know I should be healthier and hopefully will measure smaller too :)
  • haggisinlondon
    haggisinlondon Posts: 10 Member
    I have been running since Jan 1 and used to run about 2 years ago. I noticed the weight come off last time and hoping for the same. You need to make sure your running at a low heart rate so your body uses fat reserves for energy and not just carbs that you have consumed. So for now I am doing long slow runs to do this and to get some base miles in.

    Good luck with your running
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    Lmao I do short slow runs because I am rubbish at running my body is totally not used to it, so I am constantly running at a high heart rate. I am sure that will change in time though. Thank you for your advice :)
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    I would never cut them out completely as it is so incredibly bad for you. But would you advise lowering my carb intake just for a while ?

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