Does running burn that awful belly fat?

royam01
royam01 Posts: 123
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
I am on week three of couch to 5k and I was wondering... will running help me burn belly fat? Does anyone have experience with this? I know that you can not spot reduce but it seems that something has to give.... I have lost some already and the belly is looking better. Is there anything else I can do?

Replies

  • Bearface115
    Bearface115 Posts: 574 Member
    BUMP!:drinker: :smokin:
  • kellybelly113
    kellybelly113 Posts: 60 Member
    I'd like to know too. I've heard that running is the best way though, but I'm no expert.
  • polo571
    polo571 Posts: 708 Member
    Look up HIIT training on google and read what they have to say about it. If you incorporate sprints into your running you might get the results your looking for. I personally think it helps alot.
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    Any cardiovascular activity will burn all around body fat. As it's been discussed ad nauseum, you can't spot burn fat. I agree with polo that HIIT routines definitely increase calorie burns.
  • amycal
    amycal Posts: 646 Member
    Also strength/weight training is good - the more and/or larger muscles burn more fat just by living. IT also helps you feel sleeker and more fit. Mixing it up is very good!
  • kbray003
    kbray003 Posts: 52
    Running in general helps you lose weight from all over. Do some ab/core work to strengthen your stomach and it will "appear" thinner that way. Be patient with it and keep up the running.... its the fastest way to gain fitness and lose weight in my opinion. Be careful not to do too much too soon, though!
  • ZebraHead
    ZebraHead Posts: 15,207 Member
    I've come to understand (no expert here) that you can't target specific fat. Cardio (running) burns fat but you can't tell it where to burn it from.

    Forgive me if I've misspoken but that again is my understanding.
  • Caffeinewitch
    Caffeinewitch Posts: 110 Member
    I have felt my tummy tighten after some C25K sessions on the treadmill, with a good incline. But I would like to know if this is just psychological or the real stuff.
  • bfrice1
    bfrice1 Posts: 62
    You have to do cardio to burn fat everywhere on your body, so the answer is YES, running does burn belly fat, however, be warned, belly fat is the HARDEST to get rid of, so don't expect instant results - it will go down gradually.

    Meanwhile, do some kind of core training (crunches, pilates, etc) to strengthen up your belly muscles, it'll be nice and flat once the fat is gone (it will also strengthen a lot of other areas in your body, adding to overall improved strength and fitness).
  • royam01
    royam01 Posts: 123
    I will have to try that!
  • Enigmatica
    Enigmatica Posts: 879 Member
    I don't know about running, but walking seems to have done very well for me. I chose walking partly based on info like this:

    http://www.realage.com/search/fast_search?search_content=main&search_term=walking+belly+fat

    My waist was 40"+ when I started this back in April 2008.

    My waist is now 26.5" =)
  • evaggelia67
    evaggelia67 Posts: 4
    I've noticed that consuming half the carbs in addition to working out helps get rid of the belly fat .
  • royam01
    royam01 Posts: 123
    I have felt my tummy tighten after some C25K sessions on the treadmill, with a good incline. But I would like to know if this is just psychological or the real stuff.

    I agree that I my abs feel SO much tighter after c25k on an incline. I walk away feeling much stronger but that feeling sort of fades. lol It must be working. i guess I just need to be more patient :)
  • kalebsmama07
    kalebsmama07 Posts: 503
    it worked mostly for me i would do the treadmill for 30 mins then elyptical for 30 mins n then 100 sits ups on the ball...then weight training for an hour....i noticed my stomach first place that went besides my love handels...and eatting rite...
  • shreddingit
    shreddingit Posts: 1,133 Member
    u bet my old fat belly it does, even mommy tummy...:bigsmile:
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    Any cardiovascular activity will burn all around body fat. As it's been discussed ad nauseum, you can't spot burn fat. I agree with polo that HIIT routines definitely increase calorie burns.

    ^^ This.

    I've been running for the past year or so (off and on... more "on" than off over the last few months). It definitely is a great way to burn calories and lose fat. I'm shrinking all over - face, stomach, hips, etc. That said, some people don't enjoy running - so make sure you find a good cardio/calorie-burning exercise you enjoy. I like running but other people prefer HIIT or elliptical or swimming... you get my drift. The key is finding something you can stick with consistently to get the fat coming off.

    I agree with the recommendation that you should work on strength training in addition to your cardio. The idea is that you want to work to tone/strengthen your muscles while you're working on losing fat - that way you won't end up being "skinny-fat" (skinny but not really fit). I know I want muscles to show as my fat continues to go away!! :drinker:
  • royam01
    royam01 Posts: 123
    u bet my old fat belly it does, even mommy tummy...:bigsmile:
    [/quote

    So funny! :)
  • ceebs9
    ceebs9 Posts: 511 Member
    What Polo said. That and patience.
  • Ally_Clare
    Ally_Clare Posts: 355 Member
    Sure will!
  • bbygrl5
    bbygrl5 Posts: 964 Member
    I'm not sure about belly fat specifically, but nothing has helped me burn more fat all over than running. Welcome to the runner's club! :)
  • rachpiper720
    rachpiper720 Posts: 204
    For me, when I did the C5K training is when I lost the most belly fat. I have done a lot of HIIT training and P90x, but running helped me lose the most belly fat. Granted I have a lot to lose and everyone is different. However, when you do strength training, your body burns calories much longer after you stopped exercising vs. when you just do pure cardio. Plus, the increased muscle mass helps to burn even more calories. A good mix of everything is I think the best way to go.
  • Goal_Seeker_1988
    Goal_Seeker_1988 Posts: 1,619 Member
    While running does tone and give great definition, you've heard the sayin: Abs were built in the kitchein. Well, that's where you should start! Gentics is 10%, exercise is 10% and Diet is 80% of weightloss.
  • andipandi
    andipandi Posts: 91 Member
    yes!!!!!! that belly fat is just fat tho and cannot be directly targeted so you need over all weight loss (goalseeker1988 is right ). but as for running there's no more efficient way to burn calories, tone you entire body and strengthen your bones. i can burn about 750 cals in 55mins of HITT running...sprints, incline walking, rest,...sometimes i just run and walk , or just run. running makes me feel light and athletic and strong. it can make me feel happy when i'm feeling down. make sure to take short strides, pitch slightly forward, feet low to the ground and try to land in the middle to front part of your feet...that form will help save your knees and shins. good luck!!!
  • kellybelly113
    kellybelly113 Posts: 60 Member
    Wow you guys have shared some good stuff. I'm going to try HIIT maybe.
  • cclarke538
    cclarke538 Posts: 2
    Hi, first of all what might help is if you replace a lot of your drinks such as fizzy drinks and juice with ice cold water firstly the ice cold water burns a small amount of calories because your body is having to work hard to make the ice cold water body temperature also the reason you should replace juice is because juice contains a lot of sugar in and isn't the best for your teeth , instead of having juice as a 5 a day supplement have fruit and veg , apples are the best for weight loss as they help burn fat because of the acids in them . All I can say is if you regularly exercise at the start 3 times a week and then when you feel more comfortable about yourself then exercise 5 days a week . I've been doing this for six months already , I'm pulling all the girls and life just can't get worse at the moment. Also don't eat in-between meals , reply to tell me how it goes thx
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I am on week three of couch to 5k and I was wondering... will running help me burn belly fat? Does anyone have experience with this? I know that you can not spot reduce but it seems that something has to give.... I have lost some already and the belly is looking better. Is there anything else I can do?

    Plate pushbacks will.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    ... with ice cold water firstly the ice cold water burns a small amount of calories because your body is having to work hard to make the ice cold water body temperature...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0
  • cclarke538
    cclarke538 Posts: 2
    Running is the best thing for you , go to the gym and get on a treadmill , interval training is the best for you , interval training is when you for example run for 5 minutes , then turn down the treadmill speed so that your walking on the treadmill for 30 seconds to a minute , then run another 5 minutes repeat this for an hour and I guarantee this will help , I wasn't the most slimmest guy , but if you follow this your guaranteed to get all the gals you want ;) . Also try to eat healthily as well , no snacks such as eating Inbetween meals . I have been following this for 6 months , I have a six pack my girlfriend is practically a model and yeah life can't get better for me at the moment , as well as burning fat , I have noticed that by exercising regularly you release bad hormones which makes you less fatigued also as you know I started this 6 months ago ,I recently had my exams before I was not very good at school , the teachers always thought that I would do bad , but I proved them wrong and got higher grades then expected :) let me know how is goes
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