IM30 vs Running
SarahStarr86
Posts: 121 Member
Hi everyone! I am cross listing this post, I'm not sure if that's frowned upon but I did post this in the Fitness forum also but didn't get any suggestions. I always get my questions answered in this thread so I'm posting it here too 
I asked a question kind of similar about a week or so ago but feel like I may need to be more specific. I am currently on my weight loss journey. I have lost 20 and still have about 35 more to go. I asked a question before about hiit training vs running and received a lot of helpful advice about weight loss really coming moreso from the calorie deficit and not the exercise which I had not really realized. I always thought I had to eat well AND exercise to lose weight so that was eye opening. So now I'm thinking more about exercise for body composition and focusing on my eating for weight loss. With that being said, I am a pear shaped woman meaning I'm smaller on the top than I am on the bottom. I have plenty of thighs, hips, and butt to share, lol. I have been doing Insanity Max 30 and was wondering if there's not enough cardio in there for me to really slim down. I'm kind of nervous that all of the squats, lunges, and burpees would build my legs and butt instead of slim me up. I'm currently in a 10/12 pant and would like to be back in my 6s. Would running for steady state cardio slim me more and better instead of doing something that has body weight resistance training. I was thinking about doing both but IM30 is a 5 days a week plan and I don't know if I could add running on top because I my knees really need those 2 days off. For running, I found a Hal Higdon 10k running plan that I can follow because I really like following a schedule while exercising instead of just winging it. This was very lengthy, so I apologize for that. Just wanted to be as specific as possible. Thanks in advance for any help!
I asked a question kind of similar about a week or so ago but feel like I may need to be more specific. I am currently on my weight loss journey. I have lost 20 and still have about 35 more to go. I asked a question before about hiit training vs running and received a lot of helpful advice about weight loss really coming moreso from the calorie deficit and not the exercise which I had not really realized. I always thought I had to eat well AND exercise to lose weight so that was eye opening. So now I'm thinking more about exercise for body composition and focusing on my eating for weight loss. With that being said, I am a pear shaped woman meaning I'm smaller on the top than I am on the bottom. I have plenty of thighs, hips, and butt to share, lol. I have been doing Insanity Max 30 and was wondering if there's not enough cardio in there for me to really slim down. I'm kind of nervous that all of the squats, lunges, and burpees would build my legs and butt instead of slim me up. I'm currently in a 10/12 pant and would like to be back in my 6s. Would running for steady state cardio slim me more and better instead of doing something that has body weight resistance training. I was thinking about doing both but IM30 is a 5 days a week plan and I don't know if I could add running on top because I my knees really need those 2 days off. For running, I found a Hal Higdon 10k running plan that I can follow because I really like following a schedule while exercising instead of just winging it. This was very lengthy, so I apologize for that. Just wanted to be as specific as possible. Thanks in advance for any help! 0
Replies
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I've done IM30 and it is plenty of cardio. Adding the steady state cardio is not really effective for prolonged fat loss. Stick with the high intensity stuff. Research has shown that it's the best. If you want to do more, then try maximum effort sprint intervals. Those are super tough...but really effective.1
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I am a runner, and one of the most obvious changes to my body is my hips and thighs are thinner than they were when I was not running. Even at a higher weight, I wear a smaller size. I alternate between running outside or the treadmill and Orange Theory (which includes some running) 5-6 days a week. But, I do think my chest also got a lot smaller--not fun for us pear shapes!!!1
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I'm also pear shaped, and my main focus as been on strength training, with some cardio, I haven't found the squats, deadlifts or lunges have build my legs/butt up, but they have definitely slimmed them down. Granted it's slow, but I have lost inches. I'd find something that you like to do and stick with it, if you like IM30, stick it out for the 30 days, take measurements and decide from there.1
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Thank you everyone! I will definitely measure because that's something I haven't done in a while. My sister dropped serious weight when she started training for a half marathon and is just super tiny now. So with me still needing to lose more weight, my mom was like, "Maybe you should take up running too!" And it just threw my whole frame of thinking off. Honestly, my mom doesn't know much about fitness so I don't know why I let it bother me but it really stung a little. She just kept saying we have too much booty and thighs to be doing squats and lunges, you just need to get out there an run it off
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storyjorie wrote: »I am a runner, and one of the most obvious changes to my body is my hips and thighs are thinner than they were when I was not running. Even at a higher weight, I wear a smaller size. I alternate between running outside or the treadmill and Orange Theory (which includes some running) 5-6 days a week. But, I do think my chest also got a lot smaller--not fun for us pear shapes!!!
See! That's what I was wondering. I wonder why. Is it the higher calorie burn or is it just the motion of using our legs for long distances? I've never been a runner but I was thinking of doing an 8 week beginner 10k running plan just to see if I notice any difference. My sister dropped 20 lbs like it was nothing when she started training for a half marathon. She's the smallest she's ever been...like even smaller than high school. I'm like was it the running or just the weight loss in general? I'm sooo over thinking. She does her long runs on Sundays and she's out running for a couple of hours, and running for a couple of hours just doesn't sound like a good time to me, haha! I'm so used to not working out for more than an hour. So I'm just trying to figure out if there's some magic sauce in running....0 -
I've done IM30 and it is plenty of cardio. Adding the steady state cardio is not really effective for prolonged fat loss. Stick with the high intensity stuff. Research has shown that it's the best. If you want to do more, then try maximum effort sprint intervals. Those are super tough...but really effective.
False.0 -
sarahstarr0416 wrote: »I have been doing Insanity Max 30 and was wondering if there's not enough cardio in there for me to really slim down. I'm kind of nervous that all of the squats, lunges, and burpees would build my legs and butt instead of slim me up. I'm currently in a 10/12 pant and would like to be back in my 6s. Would running for steady state cardio slim me more and better instead of doing something that has body weight resistance training.
If you're eating to lose weight, you aren't going to bulk up from doing squats and lunges. Getting big and muscular is a type of weight gain, and you have to eat for it, to do that.
Weight loss is a matter of calories, as you know. Exercise helps because it burns calories, you can eat more and still have your deficit. Running tends to burn a lot of calories as exercise goes. But, only if you do it, which is true of anything; if you hate it, you won't do it for very long. So "the best" is whatever you enjoy most.
When I ran a lot, I felt like a 5K was "the right" distance. A 10K was a little too much. You might want to try Couch to 5K and enjoy the success before you move on to a 10K.0 -
Could you modify the IM30 to three days a week and add in 2 running days? I think 5 days of HIIT is a lot, actually unless you are training for something specific.0
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sarahstarr0416 wrote: »storyjorie wrote: »I am a runner, and one of the most obvious changes to my body is my hips and thighs are thinner than they were when I was not running. Even at a higher weight, I wear a smaller size. I alternate between running outside or the treadmill and Orange Theory (which includes some running) 5-6 days a week. But, I do think my chest also got a lot smaller--not fun for us pear shapes!!!
See! That's what I was wondering. I wonder why. Is it the higher calorie burn or is it just the motion of using our legs for long distances? I've never been a runner but I was thinking of doing an 8 week beginner 10k running plan just to see if I notice any difference. My sister dropped 20 lbs like it was nothing when she started training for a half marathon. She's the smallest she's ever been...like even smaller than high school. I'm like was it the running or just the weight loss in general? I'm sooo over thinking. She does her long runs on Sundays and she's out running for a couple of hours, and running for a couple of hours just doesn't sound like a good time to me, haha! I'm so used to not working out for more than an hour. So I'm just trying to figure out if there's some magic sauce in running....
Nothing magical about running, you're just (typically) burning a lot of calories running long distances. Long distance runners often struggle to retain muscle and that sometimes also results in them looking smaller (of course, you can take steps to preserve your muscle -- like getting enough protein, making sure you're eating enough calories, and not forgetting resistance training).
Note: When you aren't running at all, running for a couple of hours *does* sound like a terrible time. But when you gradually increase the amount you're running, it often doesn't seem like a big deal anymore. When I was beginning running, I thought 60 minutes was a long run. I did my first marathon last year and I had several 2+ hour training runs -- because I had gradually worked up to it over a couple of years, it didn't seem that challenging. Maybe you would hate running long distances, but maybe you'd like it! IMO, what many people think they hate about running is that they aren't very good at it and it *hurts* to run for more than a little bit. But once they get used to it, it doesn't feel as bad.1 -
NorthCascades wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »I have been doing Insanity Max 30 and was wondering if there's not enough cardio in there for me to really slim down. I'm kind of nervous that all of the squats, lunges, and burpees would build my legs and butt instead of slim me up. I'm currently in a 10/12 pant and would like to be back in my 6s. Would running for steady state cardio slim me more and better instead of doing something that has body weight resistance training.
If you're eating to lose weight, you aren't going to bulk up from doing squats and lunges. Getting big and muscular is a type of weight gain, and you have to eat for it, to do that.
Weight loss is a matter of calories, as you know. Exercise helps because it burns calories, you can eat more and still have your deficit. Running tends to burn a lot of calories as exercise goes. But, only if you do it, which is true of anything; if you hate it, you won't do it for very long. So "the best" is whatever you enjoy most.
When I ran a lot, I felt like a 5K was "the right" distance. A 10K was a little too much. You might want to try Couch to 5K and enjoy the success before you move on to a 10K.
Ok, I completely understand. I will definitely take a look at the couch 2 5k because the first day of the 10k said to go run 2.5 miles and was like yeah, no, haha! It definitely seemed like a lot and I thought that was the beginner one...but I see now, I need to drop the distance also. Thank you!
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Could you modify the IM30 to three days a week and add in 2 running days? I think 5 days of HIIT is a lot, actually unless you are training for something specific.
Yeah, definitely not training for anything specific, that's just the way they have the workout schedule set up and that's why I can get so burnt out on it. It gets to be a lot on your knees after a while. I can be very "all or nothing" about certain things so that's why I was thinking I'd have to do the whole IM30 schedule while also running on top. Insanity Max definitely has two good resistance workouts that I can do twice a week. I took a look at the C25K and that's 3 days a week. So on alternating days I can do the strength workouts and still have the weekend off.
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I think, as janejellyroll alluded, that both strength training and running is optimal. In fact, strength training supports your running and makes you better at it.
I used to be an hourglass when I was obese.
I don't know what I am now. I can say that running more than anything has whittled away at my thighs like nothing else has. I don't really have much in the way of hips left on me.
Definitely do C25K, it's a great program.
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »I think, as janejellyroll alluded, that both strength training and running is optimal. In fact, strength training supports your running and makes you better at it.
I used to be an hourglass when I was obese.
I don't know what I am now. I can say that running more than anything has whittled away at my thighs like nothing else has. I don't really have much in the way of hips left on me.
Definitely do C25K, it's a great program.
This is exactly what I was wanting to know! Thank you everyone!
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sarahstarr0416 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »I have been doing Insanity Max 30 and was wondering if there's not enough cardio in there for me to really slim down. I'm kind of nervous that all of the squats, lunges, and burpees would build my legs and butt instead of slim me up. I'm currently in a 10/12 pant and would like to be back in my 6s. Would running for steady state cardio slim me more and better instead of doing something that has body weight resistance training.
If you're eating to lose weight, you aren't going to bulk up from doing squats and lunges. Getting big and muscular is a type of weight gain, and you have to eat for it, to do that.
Weight loss is a matter of calories, as you know. Exercise helps because it burns calories, you can eat more and still have your deficit. Running tends to burn a lot of calories as exercise goes. But, only if you do it, which is true of anything; if you hate it, you won't do it for very long. So "the best" is whatever you enjoy most.
When I ran a lot, I felt like a 5K was "the right" distance. A 10K was a little too much. You might want to try Couch to 5K and enjoy the success before you move on to a 10K.
Ok, I completely understand. I will definitely take a look at the couch 2 5k because the first day of the 10k said to go run 2.5 miles and was like yeah, no, haha! It definitely seemed like a lot and I thought that was the beginner one...but I see now, I need to drop the distance also. Thank you!
I'd been riding a bike for years before I started running. I don't know if that's an option for you or not. In some ways they're kind of similar. What matters most in either one is your cardiovascular fitness. So that means that biking all those years gave me a leg up on running. Well, kind of. Riding a bike is a low impact exercise and running is not, and I still had to work up to that.
The first time I ran, I went maybe 1/4 mile and felt like I was going to die. After a little while I could do 3/4 mile. And then I would think "oh hell no, the zombies can eat me." But it got a little easier every time. By the time I was doing 5Ks they were hard but relaxing. The exhaustion and the rhythm of my feet, and being outdoors, it all added up to take me out of my head and make everything else seem just a little less important.
Some of the most important things I learned were to slow down. When you run you're jumping from one foot to the other, that's a lot of work. No matter how slow you run it's twice as hard as walking, or more. So even the slowest jog is something to be proud of. But going slow makes it easier, and being easier means you can do it enough to make progress. Also, take smaller steps, that's a big deal. And finally, wear good shoes, your knees will thank you.2 -
NorthCascades wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »NorthCascades wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »I have been doing Insanity Max 30 and was wondering if there's not enough cardio in there for me to really slim down. I'm kind of nervous that all of the squats, lunges, and burpees would build my legs and butt instead of slim me up. I'm currently in a 10/12 pant and would like to be back in my 6s. Would running for steady state cardio slim me more and better instead of doing something that has body weight resistance training.
If you're eating to lose weight, you aren't going to bulk up from doing squats and lunges. Getting big and muscular is a type of weight gain, and you have to eat for it, to do that.
Weight loss is a matter of calories, as you know. Exercise helps because it burns calories, you can eat more and still have your deficit. Running tends to burn a lot of calories as exercise goes. But, only if you do it, which is true of anything; if you hate it, you won't do it for very long. So "the best" is whatever you enjoy most.
When I ran a lot, I felt like a 5K was "the right" distance. A 10K was a little too much. You might want to try Couch to 5K and enjoy the success before you move on to a 10K.
Ok, I completely understand. I will definitely take a look at the couch 2 5k because the first day of the 10k said to go run 2.5 miles and was like yeah, no, haha! It definitely seemed like a lot and I thought that was the beginner one...but I see now, I need to drop the distance also. Thank you!
I'd been riding a bike for years before I started running. I don't know if that's an option for you or not. In some ways they're kind of similar. What matters most in either one is your cardiovascular fitness. So that means that biking all those years gave me a leg up on running. Well, kind of. Riding a bike is a low impact exercise and running is not, and I still had to work up to that.
The first time I ran, I went maybe 1/4 mile and felt like I was going to die. After a little while I could do 3/4 mile. And then I would think "oh hell no, the zombies can eat me." But it got a little easier every time. By the time I was doing 5Ks they were hard but relaxing. The exhaustion and the rhythm of my feet, and being outdoors, it all added up to take me out of my head and make everything else seem just a little less important.
Some of the most important things I learned were to slow down. When you run you're jumping from one foot to the other, that's a lot of work. No matter how slow you run it's twice as hard as walking, or more. So even the slowest jog is something to be proud of. But going slow makes it easier, and being easier means you can do it enough to make progress. Also, take smaller steps, that's a big deal. And finally, wear good shoes, your knees will thank you.
Such great information and insight! Thank you! I have an almost brand new pair of Asics running shoes that I thought I could use for Insanity Max but couldn't. I will definitely break those out. I feel like I have a good bit of a cardio foundation, but I know that running can be an entirely different animal. Running has definitely always been tough for me but now looking back at it, I'm pretty sure I was doing too much too fast. I've already downloaded the app and everything for the C25K and it definitely is a more gentle approach than what I would've chosen but I think it'll ease me into running for well. What's funny is I'm assuming it's going to be too easy but I may not even make it for the first 90 seconds that it want me to jog, haha! We shall see! Thanks for everything!1 -
sarahstarr0416 wrote: »Could you modify the IM30 to three days a week and add in 2 running days? I think 5 days of HIIT is a lot, actually unless you are training for something specific.
Yeah, definitely not training for anything specific, that's just the way they have the workout schedule set up and that's why I can get so burnt out on it. It gets to be a lot on your knees after a while. I can be very "all or nothing" about certain things so that's why I was thinking I'd have to do the whole IM30 schedule while also running on top. Insanity Max definitely has two good resistance workouts that I can do twice a week. I took a look at the C25K and that's 3 days a week. So on alternating days I can do the strength workouts and still have the weekend off.
yes that is exactly why HIIT is recommended 2-3x week. You want to give your body some recovery. 2-3 days of steady state cardio mixed in is perfect. C25k is great as has some intervals until you get the cardio strength to run for endurance and IMO i lose the most weight doing intervals1
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