Did jogging/running really make a difference (toning your bo

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When I ran off and on for bout a year I could really see a difference in my upper abs. But, things changed and I stopped running and now I've been tryin to get back into it. I run the treadmill @ the gym once in awhile. But it's not a day to day activity for me. I'd like to be able to run everyday, but it'll take awhile to get my mojo back.

I haven't noticed much difference in my stomache but my legs definitely look more toned.

I trained for a half marathon and didn't lose any weight. I was disappointed but I think it had to do with me being SOOOO hungry all of the time. I am starting to train for another in a couple of weeks and have decided to exchange those foods with healthy foods to ease my hunger and hopefully I will lose this time.

What a great topic. My two cents/thoughts:

I do agree that weight/strength training probably does change your body shape more.
HOWEVER - as someone who in the past has really struggled with exercise, I've discovered i really LOVE running and now i do it all the time (every day), so in that sense I think i would prefer to stick with something i like than struggle with something i have a real mental block on (weights).

anyway- original question:
Yes - running has done me LOADS of good - not just energy/emotionally-wise but my legs and butt are much slimmer, i have little/no cellulite left, and great muscle tone in my thighs....my stomach (MAJOR PROBLEM AREA) is not toned but alot of the excess fat has gone.

Running legs

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Thanks for the replies!

For those of you who do run and saw results, what frequency/intensity do you guys run? (i.e. how many times do you run per week and for what distance)

I run twice a week, usually 10k a time, or 7 if I am going offroad or doing hills.

it definately helps pad the diet to give you room for some extra calories.
or it helps created a greater caloric deficit.

I lose a ton during the summer from the increase in running.

I trained for a half marathon and didn't lose any weight. I was disappointed but I think it had to do with me being SOOOO hungry all of the time. I am starting to train for another in a couple of weeks and have decided to exchange those foods with healthy foods to ease my hunger and hopefully I will lose this time.

It can actually be difficult to train for any sort of distance racing and lose weight. In part becuase of how you have to eat to sustain your runs and ensure proper recovery. I'm playing around w/my diet now in my "down" time to hopefully become less reliant on carbs when I ramp back up this fall. I'll lose weight up until I start hitting about 20 miles a week b/c I really don't eat any differently, but once I hit that point it usually means I have a couple of 6+ mile runs a week plus a couple of shorter runs and I pay much closer attention to how I am feeling vs. how much weight I am losing.

I only STARTED running in 2006! Since that time, I've run 2 full marathons and multiple half marathons. I had already lost 50 pounds through diet and exercise, by that time. So the biggest changes I've seen in my body, has been improvements in my ENDURANCE, my MENTAL WELLBEING and in my overall HEALTH. (I don't catch colds or get the sniffles, hardly EVER!)

Honestly, I was disappointed, because although my legs are rock solid... they're not as "defined" as I'd hoped they would be by this point. However, I've neglected hitting the weights at the gym, and definitely need to reintroduce that into my regular training.

I'm still a "heavy" girl! I'm still hovering right around 160lbs... and that's just not ideal for my height (I'm 5'4"). I need to drop at least another 20lbs, and thought that I would do it with running, diet & cross training. It's frustrating, but I don't give up!! I'm healthier now than I've ever been!!

:flowerforyou: Angie

Most any sort of heavy activity will result in more tone, weight loss, etc. I like to run. BUT

RUNNING IS NOT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO TONE.

http://members.rachelcosgrove.com/public/The_Final_Nail_in_the_Cardio_Coffin.cfm

(I feel like I've started preaching here but I'm serious)

I want to run. But i just think i look so stupid. Its all in my head. But i can not stop it. What can i do to change this. . My son runs alot. I want him and i to run this summer ..

Don't think about it, just go and do it! If you can go early in the morning, so much the better. In a park early in the morning is even better! If I'd dwelled upon the idea of doing c25k, I would have found lots of excuses to not do it - mostly due to vanity! However, without thinking about it, I mentioned it to my partner when he asked if there was anything he could do to be more supportive - he immediately said, "OK then, we'll do it" and a few days later we started! We're only on Week 2 but already we're noticing a difference...and I have to tell you that I look like a doddery old lady by the time I'm halfway through a session. I'm not giving up though, and I don't care if anyone else thinks I look silly - it's none of their business!

Regarding results - even having done only four sessions, I am already seeing and feeling a difference in my tummy. Sure, I still have the 'mum-tum' but it's less apparent already, and I can feel my abs tightening up underneath the kangaroo pouch!

I started jogging about a month ago, adding strength training as well, and all of a sudden my cellulite was mostly gone and my belly started to flatten - which was amazing to me because my scale hasn't budged an ounce! But my clothes fit so much better and I am even starting to lose my muffin top. Not sure which part jump-started all this - the jogging or the weights - because I literally added them at the same time!

I jog a mile Mon, Wed, and Friday and the finish up 30 minutes of cardio (it depends on how fast I do the mile in - my average is 12 minutes, so then I do 18 minutes of cardio). On Tues and Thurs I don't jog, just do an hour of cardio. On my jogging days I alternate working my arms/chest/shoulders, legs, and torso on the weight machines. My weekends are so busy that usually I don't go to the gym, but I try to get some walking in or go to the pool with my kids.

I wish the scale would move, but it is nice to have people comment on how slim I am looking, so I'll take it!