Running hurts - What else loses weight?

The best weight loss exercise isn't an exercise at all, it's your nutrition. Eat at a calorie deficit.

You also can't spot reduce fat, calorie deficit takes care of that as well.

If you're looking for a body recomp, I suggest a progressive strength training program.

As a runner I'd actually disagree that it's the 'best' weight loss exercise, plus it's so harsh on the body (as you've found). Personally I lose the most body fat by doing the Fitness Blender HIIT's on youtube, they only take 20-35 mins and almost feel like cheating they are so effective for me. Try HIIT like a Girl or Brutal HIIT Ladder.

And as Steve0820 says nutrition is the key and his suggestion of strength training also fits with the Fitness Blender Workouts as they are mostly body weight moves which build strength before you move onto weights perhaps. Spend more time on HIIT & less doing V-situps IMO.

Just my 2p/2c

Running doesn't lose weight. Watching your calories does.

Exercise is great! Do it for the fitness value first, the calorie burn is secondary in that one can always out eat exercise.
Do something you enjoy, do it with some consistence.

My go to: running, cycling, hiking, climbing.

Eta:(I'm not even going to talk about "lean muscle" and the bulky thing. Suffice to say someone will come along and explain this misconception)

Sometimes running gives me asthmatic fits (the only exercise that leaves me frightened that I can't breathe), and the end of every running / jogging session leaves me in a lot of pain.

What that suggests to me is that you're probably running too fast, or for too long and not giving your body time to adapt to the additional stresses that running places on it. Many people find the transition to including running in their programme difficult, and if you can power walk for 30-40 minutes there is no reason that you can't run.

With that in mind what I'd suggest is using some form of plan to develop running capacity. Either make it up on your own; run for 5 minutes, then each time you go out add a minute per session, or use a pre-packaged plan like Couch to 5K which is aimed at getting you to a 30 minute continuous run. Lots of new runners note that they do find it difficult to breathe, and that's normally an indicator that they're going too fast. There is a lot of good advice in the C25K group here; http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/30-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k

Notwithstanding all of that, while running does consume a lot of calories, it predominantly how that expenditure compares with your energy intake that determines weight loss; calories in vs calories out.

fwiw I enjoy running for a number of reasons, and while it's helped me lose weight and significantly reduce my bodyfat percentage, that's not been a quick process. I'm far less concerned with scale weight than when I started this process 14 months ago, and work on the basis of how my running performance is improving, and how my clothes fit. Note that I'd be very sceptical of any muscle gain that you think you see, if you're not eating enough. Gaining muscle takes time and effort, and if you're not planning it then it's extremely unlikely that it's going to happen.

One of the big benefits for me is that it's very easy to do, I'm not dependent on any equipment except my shoes and I'm not stuck inside an air conditioned box. Alternatives that I'd suggest that burn up similar level sof calories would be cycling, swimming and rowing.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try them and see how they work.

@steve: I'm a little concerned about doing strength exercises because I want to build lean muscle. My body is quick to build up bulky, weighty muscle (and lose it too!) but the fat burn is a constant challenge. As for the calorie deficit, I'm not actually sure if I'm eating enough. I typically have 2 meals a day (I live on my own so I can get lazy with cooking). I don't eat fast food, and I only drink water... and mochas. Actually I probably get most of my calories from my mocha a day.

@running4thehigh: I love that you love running! I've always wished that I could enjoy running. It's never the running itself that hurts me (sometimes I feel like I can run forever), it's the stopping and realizing that I can't breathe. x.x

@sdreed25: Thanks, I'll check out the HIIT videos on Youtube. (But I love the feeling of a good ab burn between workouts!)

If you're new to resistance training, you'll be able to build some muscle at a deficit, but not much, and you certainly won't be "bulky", unless you start eating 3000-4000 cals a day. You want to make sure you're eating enough to fuel your workouts, but also, be under your cals for a weight loss. That's a matter of playing around with your macros and tracking everything to find your "sweet spot". The issue a lot of people have is underestimating their calorie intake.

I love running as well, I do it mainly for my overall well being and not weight loss. For me, it's my alone time, were I can forget life's stress and zone out and just run with my fav tunes. I hope you can find a way to at least do a little running OP if you enjoy it.

As others have said, diet is the biggest component in losing weight; I do maybe at most 1 15 minute HIIT cardio session a week and I am still consistently losing weight.

I can't run because of severe arthritis in my hip. I do the elliptical when I do cardio (which is very rarely). You can also swim, walk or ride your bike.