Unsure if what I’m doing is pointless

Hi everyone. My goal is to shred fat. I’ve taken up joggingrecently, in particular I’m doing C25K. I’m really really enjoying it and I even bring my dog with me while doing it sometimes. She’s a husky so loves running.
Alongside this I’m on a calorie deficit - MFP reccomend 1200 but I have been eating back some calories I’ve burned working out because honestly I’m finding I’m pretty starving if not.

Anyway I understand the only way to really get rid of fat is through weight training, and honestly I’ve always hated weight training, like absolutely hate it. I don’t know what I’m doing I find it tedious and I give up every time I try. So I only really enjoy a cardio workout.

Am I just going to have poor or no results from doing what I am right now? I.e lose muscle and just be left with fat still.
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Replies

  • harper16
    harper16 Posts: 2,564 Member
    You are supposed to eat back all of your exercise calories.
  • TheSma11Print
    TheSma11Print Posts: 165 Member
    harper16 wrote: »
    You are supposed to eat back all of your exercise calories.
    I know, it was more a question on if running alone and being on a calorie deficit will be enough to lose fat or if it is pointless because I have to weight train.

  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    The running will mostly just be burning off whatever energy stores that your liver has in it. Diet will definitely be your main focus here, 1200 you should definitely be losing on though. Are you weighing all your food?
  • TheSma11Print
    TheSma11Print Posts: 165 Member

    Anyway I understand the only way to really get rid of fat is through weight training

    Where did you get that from? It's totally false. Fat loss comes from a calorie deficit, no exercise needed. Building some muscle can certainly change your shape and body composition, but weight training does not cause fat loss.

    You should also probably be eating more than 1200 calories, plus your exercise cals. What does MFP tell you if you put in your stats and lose 1lb per week?

    Just things I’ve been reading online really.
    So much emphasis on weight training = fat loss because the more muscle you build the more fat you lose. I dunno I’m glad I asked on here to get some real answers.

    I’m doing 2 pounds per week. 1 = 1400 cals. I’m worried that won’t do much for me.

  • TheSma11Print
    TheSma11Print Posts: 165 Member
    You don't have to weight train. You will lose fat with a calorie deficit.

    Weight training will change the way your body looks at the end, though. Is that the issue? You have a body goal that requires weight training?

    I've found it helps to go to the weight room with a program and a plan. I began with Stronglifts 5x5. I downloaded the app, and just followed what it told me to do. About 45 minutes, three days a week, and only 5 lifts to learn. Completely do-able, even if you don't like weight training.

    Thank you I’ll take a look :smile:
  • TheSma11Print
    TheSma11Print Posts: 165 Member
    The running will mostly just be burning off whatever energy stores that your liver has in it. Diet will definitely be your main focus here, 1200 you should definitely be losing on though. Are you weighing all your food?

    Ah, so running is completely pointless for weight loss and muscle building?
    Maybe I need to be more strict weighing my food!
  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    The running will mostly just be burning off whatever energy stores that your liver has in it. Diet will definitely be your main focus here, 1200 you should definitely be losing on though. Are you weighing all your food?

    Ah, so running is completely pointless for weight loss and muscle building?
    Maybe I need to be more strict weighing my food!

    Completely useless for weight loss? Nope.

    Muscle gain, definitely useless.
  • harper16
    harper16 Posts: 2,564 Member
    harper16 wrote: »
    You are supposed to eat back all of your exercise calories.
    I know, it was more a question on if running alone and being on a calorie deficit will be enough to lose fat or if it is pointless because I have to weight train.

    How much weight are you trying to lose?
  • TheSma11Print
    TheSma11Print Posts: 165 Member
    harper16 wrote: »
    harper16 wrote: »
    You are supposed to eat back all of your exercise calories.
    I know, it was more a question on if running alone and being on a calorie deficit will be enough to lose fat or if it is pointless because I have to weight train.

    How much weight are you trying to lose?

    Sorry if this sounds really stupid but What I’m really trying to do is lower my body fat percentage.
    I’m around 30% at the moment. I dunno I guess I’m not too precious about how much I weigh just as long as I start to see inches coming off me if that makes sense? Maybe I do need to incorporate some weight training.
  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    Weight training and calorie deficit got me from 240 to 165
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    edited April 2020
    The running will mostly just be burning off whatever energy stores that your liver has in it. Diet will definitely be your main focus here, 1200 you should definitely be losing on though. Are you weighing all your food?

    Ah, so running is completely pointless for weight loss and muscle building?
    Maybe I need to be more strict weighing my food!

    No, running can absolutely be part of creating a deficit. That is what creates weight loss. The point is that it is relatively easy to eat enough to "cancel out" the calorie burns of running and that is where people run into problems -- when they *just* focus on running and expect to lose weight from that alone.

    Running will not build muscle. If you want to build muscle, you'll need resistance training for that.

    If you enjoy running, there is absolutely nothing "pointless" about it. It's a great way to increase your fitness. It can be part of creating a calorie deficit. It's just not going to create weight loss outside of that particular context. I know you said you don't really care about weight, but if you want less fat on your body, you are talking about weight loss.
  • harper16
    harper16 Posts: 2,564 Member
    Caring about your health and fitness is never pointless.
    But, unless you have more than 60 lbs to lose a 2lb a week loss is to much.
  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    If you really don’t want to lose weight, why are you eating at a deficit at all. If you want to be more fit, less fatty, stronger, walking and running are both very good exercises. They build muscles in your legs. They are weight bearing so they make your bones stronger, as well as muscles. But if you want to look toned and muscular all over, you need to address your upper half as well. Core exercises like planks could help. Google arm exercises. Yoga is a good overall exercise. I think Pilates is too, but I don’t know from experience.

    Running, yoga and Pilates doesn't build muscle.

    Good for cardiovascular heath, though.
  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    edited April 2020
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    If you really don’t want to lose weight, why are you eating at a deficit at all. If you want to be more fit, less fatty, stronger, walking and running are both very good exercises. They build muscles in your legs. They are weight bearing so they make your bones stronger, as well as muscles. But if you want to look toned and muscular all over, you need to address your upper half as well. Core exercises like planks could help. Google arm exercises. Yoga is a good overall exercise. I think Pilates is too, but I don’t know from experience.

    Running, yoga and Pilates doesn't build muscle.

    Good for cardiovascular heath, though.

    So you're saying that regular recreational runners, yoga practitioners (including those handstand people?), and Pilates devotees don't have more muscle than people who just sit on the couch. And yes, I mean mass, not just strength.

    Clearly, if muscle mass is the main point, or even strength, then weight training is the efficient and by far most effective route. But I think you're being a little black and white, here.

    That's exactly what I'm saying. People who regularity do those things are more lean and shredded looking because their body fat is generally lower than couch potatos. If running built muscle, wouldn't marathon runners be built?
  • zackboomer
    zackboomer Posts: 68 Member
    edited April 2020

    That's exactly what I'm saying. People who regularity do those things are more lean and shredded looking because their body fat is generally lower than couch potatos. If running built muscle, wouldn't marathon runners be built?

    Dude have you seen the calves of long-time runners??

    Yes I have and I'd hardly say that they are big, just shredded. If you're talking about SPRINTERS we might be having a different conversation here, but OP is doing 5ks. Calve size is extremely dependent on genetics and is one of the hardest muscles to build in the entire body.

    If you always do the same thing you will not get stronger -- does not matter if it is running, doing 10 push ups every day, doing 25 ten pound curls everyday or doing 25 squats with 75 pounds weight every day progressive exercise builds strength and size
  • ContraryMaryMary
    ContraryMaryMary Posts: 1,786 Member
    edited April 2020
    Hi everyone. My goal is to shred fat. I’ve taken up joggingrecently, in particular I’m doing C25K. I’m really really enjoying it and I even bring my dog with me while doing it sometimes. She’s a husky so loves running.
    Alongside this I’m on a calorie deficit - MFP reccomend 1200 but I have been eating back some calories I’ve burned working out because honestly I’m finding I’m pretty starving if not.

    Anyway I understand the only way to really get rid of fat is through weight training, and honestly I’ve always hated weight training, like absolutely hate it. I don’t know what I’m doing I find it tedious and I give up every time I try. So I only really enjoy a cardio workout.

    Am I just going to have poor or no results from doing what I am right now? I.e lose muscle and just be left with fat still.

    If you enjoy running, come and join us in the monthly running challenge thread. https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/21182-monthly-running-challenges. We can give you lots of support for both running and weight loss.

    In my opinion, running is excellent for those of us who like to eat - you should be eating back at least half of the calories burned that MFP allocates you.

    Running will make it easier to lose weight (in that you can eat more), is great for mental health (runner’s high is a real thing), and will give you lovely shapely legs if you stick with it long enough, as well as improving your health, stamina and life expectancy.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    edited April 2020
    Hi everyone. My goal is to shred fat. I’ve taken up joggingrecently, in particular I’m doing C25K. I’m really really enjoying it and I even bring my dog with me while doing it sometimes. She’s a husky so loves running.
    Alongside this I’m on a calorie deficit - MFP reccomend 1200 but I have been eating back some calories I’ve burned working out because honestly I’m finding I’m pretty starving if not.

    Anyway I understand the only way to really get rid of fat is through weight training, and honestly I’ve always hated weight training, like absolutely hate it. I don’t know what I’m doing I find it tedious and I give up every time I try. So I only really enjoy a cardio workout.

    Am I just going to have poor or no results from doing what I am right now? I.e lose muscle and just be left with fat still.

    To get back on topic and answer your questions:
    The only reason what you are doing would be pointless would be your reason for doing it. If you are exercising to lose weight, that would be pointless without addressing your diet. You don't get rid of fat from exercise, you get rid of fat from diet (as others have said).

    Exercise burns some calories but is primarily for fitness and body composition. If you hate weight training, don't do it. Find something you like. But if you don't do anything besides running, the only muscles you will develop are your legs (Yes, running builds some muscle, depending on your state of training but you will limit out at some point. This is only important if you want more muscular legs. I've seen some pretty shapely legs on women who run. ) For body composition and muscle tone, it would be prudent to do some upper body training a couple of days per week. There are alternatives to weight training.

    The bigger concern, and the one that could affect losing muscle is the 1200 calories per day. That is only an appropriate choice for very short, very small women. My guess is you set your weight loss goal too high. Like 2 lbs per week? What are you stats? You say you want to lose body fat and it sounds like you want to retain muscle. An overly aggressive calorie deficit will cause you to lose both. A lower deficit appropriate for your stats will retain muscle and cause you to lose primarily fat.

    So, height and weight would help people to advise you more appropriately.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    Why not try something like this: https://youtu.be/iTD_AYc0-Hk
    I like this workout because it gets everything done in 30 min. Running is not pointless. But if you want to build strength and muscle, you need strength training.