Running and losing weight

Yep, I started running using C25k at 300lbs in May-13, and weekend before last ran the London Marathon weighing 163lbs. I didn't lose any weight during marathon training (or gain any) as the mileage made me hungry! Prior to the London training (and back on it today) I eat 1900 cals a day and was losing around 0.5lbs a week (I'm 5'6" and 42y-o)

I have lost lots of weight by running. C25K, specifically. In early 2014 I did the C25K, and did not count calories at all, although I think I did try to eat a bit healthier. I lost about 20 pounds in about 3-4 months. I wasn't trying to lose weight, but I did realize that I couldn't keep running at the weight I was.

When I achieved my goal (running 5k), I ran out of motivation and stopped running. Guess what? The weight came back.

About 6 months later, I started C25K again. This time I have ALSO diligently counted calories. I have lost more than 55 pounds in 3 1/2 months. I do not limit my calories - I eat when I am hungry, but ONLY enough to satisfy me, and only healthy foods. I find that I am eating 1200-1400 calories. I am now running 5k about 3 times a week. I weigh myself daily, and I find that I typically only lose weight on the days that I run.

I know I may be doing a couple things wrong. I am losing weight at a very quick rate. And I am weighing daily. I don't suggest everybody does it this way. In fact, my wife is also exercising and losing weight, but she is going about it slightly differently, with different (but still positive) results.

Here is how I motivate myself on the days (sometimes multiple days) that I do not lose anything: I do not know ANYBODY who runs regularly, eats healthy, and is still fat. If you do these two things, your body WILL eventually conform. I am also convinced that the only thing that matters is a simple math formula: calories IN (consumed) minus calories OUT (burned). If, over time, this is a negative number (meaning you burn more calories than you eat), your body has no choice but to lose weight.

By the way, you should also periodically check your body fat percent, or at least take circumference measurements at various locations (neck, waist, hips, thigh, calf, etc). It is possible that you ARE burning fat, but also adding muscle.

I run, lift, and lose weight. The calorie deficiet is how the weight comes off. The running and lifting just add to the size of the calorie deficiet I choose to have each day and keep me toned and fit. Running is definately my go-to exercise of choice but if you are not watching what you are eating it is most certainly possible to run and gain weight. I am fully in agreeement with Dave's math.

Hi Andrea, the body has a tendency to stall with weight loss when you do the same thing (just running) I know this from years of experience, you have to up your regime by adding something different as well. I added personal aerobics and this worked for me. I just created a simple 4 step exercise program/regime that was vigorous for 60 minutes 5 times per week and this helped me to break the stalling barrier.

I started running at ~255lbs last September; I'm 196 now. Until near the start of April this year I was not counting calories, just running and more or less eating as usual, although as I felt progress I know I probably optimized things as I noticed I stopped having certain treats. I feel strongly that I'd have progressed even farther had I been calorie counting from the start, but my overarching goal in the beginning was to improve fitness not just lose weight. As a former distance runner I'm glad to be back on track.

mikey_gee wrote: »

Hi Andrea, the body has a tendency to stall with weight loss when you do the same thing (just running)

No, no, no.

While I'm all for mixing things up and not becoming lopsided - one should work on other parts of their body to strengthen everywhere, it'll help make a runner more resilient overall - weight loss has absolutely nothing to do with running. Loss has everything to do with calorie deficit. If running helps you create a deficit consider that a win-win.

Any stall an individual experiences has to do with not adapting to changing circumstances as the individual drops weight.

Case in point, when I started running again last September I was 58 pounds heavier than I am today. For a given level of activity I most definitely consumed more calories then than now. It simply takes more energy (calories) for old-me to move that all that bulk N kilometers than it does to move new-me the same distance.

If you continue to consume the same number of calories that old-fatter-you required for daily use + running N kilometers than current-thinner-fitter you requires for the same activity then a "stall", or worse if you are on the borderline for CICO balance, is absolutely to be expected.

I do. On days that I run, I eat back about 80% of the calories, otherwise I get too hungry or I get too tired to keep running. Been loosing 1.5-2lbs per week. I sign up for some sort of organized run at least once a month and celebrated finishing with a huge post race meal.

geotrice wrote: »

celebrated finishing with a huge post race meal.

Sounds great!

I like running because it means I can fit a beer into my life once in a while.

mikey_gee wrote: »

Hi Andrea, the body has a tendency to stall with weight loss when you do the same thing (just running) ...

If by "do the same thing" you mean "keep not eating at a deficit", then yes, that would be correct.

But if you're in a deficit, you're going to lose weight, no matter what you do or don't do.

You guys are amazing and inspiring! I am 33 yrs old, 180 lbs, 5'7". I've been overweight all of my life, but I've had stints of healthy habits that last 3-8 months at a time. Yo-yo and YOLO are not healthy!!

I have decided to start running, and I'm training to complete Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race (10k) on the 4th of July. I love strength training and "less than love" cardio training, but my goal is 2-3 days of running/walking and 2-3 days of strength/circuit training each week.

My biggest challenge is remaining disciplined as my schedule and life obligations go a little haywire. I look forward to reading any of your advice and insights and supporting those of you who are at the beginning (or re-beginning) stage with me.

I run or walk every day, and as long as I'm vigilant in tracking calories, the weight just drops off. I use Runkeeper and the data imports directly into MFP, so no calculating calories burned. Good luck with the running plan.