You: weight lost = running comfortable/fun?

I weight currently in my "fatty" zone (210 lbs) I'm 5'11" but I'm comfortable running (slowish) now because I've build up some endurance. It just isn't weight, it is a lot about building up to volume.

When I'm at my target weight, clearly I'm faster and more comfortable.

Had an interesting run this weekend:

10 km Urban Trail

https://youtu.be/whr1FmBl5O4

I could weigh 10 lbs and I would still hate running! lol Hence the reason I just don't do it. I wanted to like it, I tried for years to like it. Truth is..I HATE IT! I came to terms with that and just do things I don't hate doing now.

My weight has only fluctuated by about 10 pounds or so in the past few years, so I don't think it has any bearing on how I feel running - the only thing that has is becoming better at running! When I got to the point that I could run about 2.5-3 miles without feeling totally exhausted, I started to not-hate it (this was also the point that I stopped doing run-walk intervals, which I think made a big difference in my enjoyment). When I embraced the idea that an "easy run" (i.e. most of my running) should be at a pace that's *actually* easy, I started to kind-of-like it.

I know that being lighter really does make you faster, but I wonder if a lot of people who feel like they're suddenly much better at running at a certain weight are really just hitting some point in their running training that makes it easier. If you're losing weight and working on running at the same time, a moment that feels weight-related might just be running-practice-related. Which is awesome!

I also started out running on the treadmill because I liked the feedback from the numbers, but realized that running outside is way way better. I just run with an app on my phone (runkeeper, but there are many others) that gives me the same kind of speed/distance/time feedback on the go.

Female, 5'8"
Started running at 268, currently at 173
Comfortable = 180
Fun = 180

No gazelle here, but I just ran my first half marathon and it felt really, really good.

I'm a fitness runner, not super-competitive. I do actually enjoy it. It's much harder to get out of breath these days and running does that for me. But, to answer your questions:

1. 5'4.5"
2. Female
3.I hit 165 (from 190) and suddenly could run 5+ miles like it wasn't even a thing.
4.Running's pretty fun now (at 148). It was almost as fun 5 lbs ago, so say 155 (rounding up) is when I stopped getting so many running-related aches and pains.

5'7"
female
48 years old
~155-160 (don't own a scale)

I can only run one day a week because of previous plantar fasciitis issues, but for me, running is finally enjoyable. Maybe it's because I took it up again at 45, but I had a totally different take on it. It began as a way to spend around an hour with my 9-year-old. I carried a kitchen timer in my pocket and we basically did our own version of a C25K before I knew what that was. We talked the entire way. It never got hard. Later, she stopped running, but I kept it up. I now run only on trails, with an occasional 10K event every now and then. I think I enjoy it because I can run the trails in a state park where it's just gorgeous, and I get time with my sister (my running buddy).

Find a reason to enjoy it, OP. Listen to podcasts, music, books (if you use only one earbud, you've got an ear out for traffic, etc). Find someone else who wants to enjoy it too, and start together. Find a place that is enjoyable to run so that you look forward to going there. I never set out to be a runner, but little by little, my speed and endurance improved. I still have days when it's not easy, but I take some pleasure in "talking" to my muscles, lungs, etc and asking them to work for me

6' male

currently 185 lbs


I was the most comfortable lighter, down to my late teens when I was much thinner. But I've been able to run at any weight I've ever been and not been uncomfortable beyond just not exceeding my cardio fitness for any time.

Running has rarely ever been fun for me, ever. But I've accepted it, had to do it in the military and so it was a career changer to not do it some. Now that it's not forced on me maybe I'll enjoy it more. At current I'm easing back into minor runs, since I had back issues and don't want to make things worse.

I have never been at a weight where I found running to be fun. I would much rather cycle than run.

I'm seriously new to running. The last time I ran a mile was when it was required for PE 15 years ago, and I hated it. I was around 145 pounds and it killed my feet and I had trouble maintaining normal breathing.

I decided to try again, and actually stick with it. I started at 240 pounds, and did about 5 weeks elliptical and weights until I could go 40 minutes fairly comfortably. In that time I lost 15 pounds. Then I started to add in slow jogging using the zombies, run 5k app. It was torture. I had newish shoes but they didn't feel good. Finally decided to try some xwide brooks and it was magic. No more burning feet! For the first time in my life. So back to running, and my big challenge was to push through the heart and lung stress and keep going, and I did! About 3 weeks in (running 3x/wk, cross training 2x/wk) I did my first continual (slow) mile. 3 weeks later I did my first 5k! And that's where I'm at now. I'm down to 205 pounds and it's getting easier, slowly but surely. I've added in some IT band exercises to strengthen my legs and reduce knee soreness. I have my first 5k race coming up in April and I hope to see 199 pounds before that day. I'm with you... It's gotta feel better if I can lose some more weight. Too keep my motivation, I have also signed up for a half marathon in August! I hope to be 175ish by then.

I do have a large frame. I'm 5'4, but have had broad shoulders and a wide rib cage since childhood. If you can do a bit of overall strengthening work, you're not very far from starting a 5k program. The key for me was slow and steady, and to really listen to my body. And good running shoes.