C25k trouble with diet

What are your calories set to now?

Are you eating back the calories you use running? A 30 minute run could amount to 400 calories which would make a big difference to your target.

What did you tell MFP your activity level and desired weight loss rate were? Going for the maximum 2lbs a week weight loss is a lot harder to sustain.

Why I stopped running right here.
You're gaining lean muscle mass. it's heavy. think about that before you lower your calories.
for me, it's either or. either eat more workout more or, eat less workout less.

I haven't really lost any weight with just running alone. Nevermind the fact that running makes me HUNGRY! I had my calories set for 1550 and ate back my exercise calories (hrm based). I saw my best results when I had weight training thrown into the mix. But since I'm training for a half marathon, Ive been focused on running for the past few months. If anything, I feel like running has made me more flabby and has eaten up 3 lbs of my lbm. I'm now trying out the tdee-20% method and am trying to get back to lifting at least twice a week. Hopefully I'll be able to better maintain my lbm while losing weight. I'm just as confused as you are when it comes to running and the proper amount of calories.

You are eating plenty to maintain running.

Why I stopped running right here.
You're gaining lean muscle mass. it's heavy. think about that before you lower your calories.
for me, it's either or. either eat more workout more or, eat less workout less.

Ummm no, you aren't "gaining" lean muscle mass by running. You may be losing body fat to show the lean muscle underneath, but you won't be gain any muscle while eating at a deficit and doing cardio.

I can never understand this argument because I am definitely stronger and more muscular than I was when I started here - despite eating at a deficit for 18 months.

But doesn't muscle being worked retain more water? Couldn't that account for her not seeing a loss on the scales?

The gym told me that working out increases your metabolism even at rest.

Why I stopped running right here.
You're gaining lean muscle mass. it's heavy. think about that before you lower your calories.
for me, it's either or. either eat more workout more or, eat less workout less.

No no no no no no no no no

I've been on the C25k program for just over 6 weeks, I've been able to do every step without repeating any weeks and I'm having a lot of fun. I'm by no means a runner and never have been, I'm overweight so this is a huge accomplishment. I haven't lost much weight while I was doing it, so I finally decided to actually start counting my calories via MFP. This is my first week of running + counting calories and holding myself accountable for the food I put in my body, and today I started week 6 day 2, and I couldn't finish the run. I'm 5'6 and 215-218 lbs ( I don't have a scale, so I'm not sure exactly), how many calories should I be consuming to give me enough energy to continue running? Before I was eating over 2,000 and had very little control over what I ate. This week it's been nothing but healthy stuff and portion control but I'm losing my energy! Any advice? Or meal suggestons for before I decide to jog?

I'm doing the Sydney 9k bridge run in a few weeks and the cut off time is 1.5 hours, I normally run about a 13-14 min mile, I did a 43 min 5k run last Saturday... but I can't maintain this unless I figure out this diet, and I can't lose weight unless I eat less. Please help! Thank you!

Eat less than you burn, you will lose weight.

Regarding running, you are indeed a runner because you run, so don't start putting yourself down in that department.

You do not need as much grub as you think you do for running. I have run, regularly before now, on 1200 calories per day, lost weight and been absolutely fine.

Good stuff to eat for energy are bananas - these and oranges are the ONLY foods I will eat 45 mins before I go training and they are the ONLY foods I will eat before any 5k races I do. Bananas are a quick release of energy and are not one of those foods that take ages to digest either, hence why they are ideal.

Regarding your lacking in energy during your runs, do you take juice with you during these runs? The reason I am asking is because it has been found that a dehydrated runner's performance drops rapidly, but take just a few gulps of juice or water and your energy level will go back up again.

Some people can run many, many miles without taking in any fluid, I am not one of those - you too, may find you need fluids to take out with you on your run (unless you are already doing so?)

First off CONGRATS on starting the C25K program. As a runner who is beginning to run again after 13 years please do not get discouraged. Running is effective for weight loss and your calories seem on par, try a small snack about 30-45 minutes before your run. Another thing you can try is a 60/40 mix of either juice and water or sports drink and water. I am a runner who must drink during a run, so I mix it up. I always have water with me and if I know I will be going longer than 30 minutes I take either a 50/50 mix or the 60/40 mix with me. I prefer Powerade as Gatorade gives me heartburn. When using juice I use a light juice and make sure it is 100% juice.
Are you doing any sort of cross training? If not I would add in a day of cross training with either free weights or resistance bands at home or the gym. Also yoga is great for cross training as well in my opinion as it helps to loosen tight muscles.

Also do not just use a scale or calorie counter to tell you how you are doing. Take your measurements and then retake them at set intervals. How you feel and how your body changes should be the true test of if the program you set is working for you.

Best of luck on your training and upcoming race.