running and losing weight

Amy_B
Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
If you ran to lose weight, can you please answer some questions for me? I need some motivation right now, as I've plateaued.

Did you just run? How long, and/or how many miles? How many days/week? What was your average monthly weight loss? Anything else you would like to share?

Replies

  • aeswan
    aeswan Posts: 66 Member
    Couch to 5k!!! As soon as I started doing it, I started losing more weight. And it was a super-easy way to start. Although it's been about a year since I finished, and I now have to run 3-4 miles 2-3 times/week to really get the benefits.

    It's probably my metabolism slowing with age, but I've noticed that just cutting back on calories doesn't work as well as it did when I was younger. Plus I really like food. :tongue: But running burns lots of calories, so I get to eat more! And it seems that even if I eat all my exercise calories, it's easier to lose with the exercise than just staying within my calorie limit without running.

    At any rate, I lost about 12 pounds, I think, over about 6 months, and was within just a few pounds of my goal, and then I moved across the country, didn't run for a couple months, and gained 5 back. :grumble:
    Good luck!
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    Thanks, aeswan! I actually am okay with running (can do almost 5 miles now), but I really have to WANT to do it before I'll actually set out. I just need some more motivation right now.
  • stephcheers
    stephcheers Posts: 105
    I ran about 3 to 4 miles at least four times a week and then did at least one longer run durning the week of about 5 to 8 miles depending. It helped me to stay focused by following a training plan for a halft marathon. You can fide a lot of easy to follow ones if you just Google it. I really noticed a weight loss/ looking leaner when I encorporated strength training. I like the Fitness Magazine half marathon training schedule because they encorporated the strength aspect for the experience runner. (By the way I use these schedules as a guidline just to give me an idea.....the last race I ran was only a 10 mile). For me having goals and a written down plan help me a lot.

    And I love being able to enter my exercise into MFP and seeing how much I get to eat. LOL

    Have fun running. I love it!
  • savvystephy
    savvystephy Posts: 4,151 Member
    To motivate yourself to run, you could just start with motivating yourself to put your workout clothes on. Not necessarily run. And since workout clothes and a prerequisite to running, then you will feel more motivated to get out the door and run. Using a little bit of psychology can go a long way. I know that as soon as I put the workout clothes on and my HRM, I feel much more pumped to exercise than I did when wearing other clothes.
  • Amy_B
    Amy_B Posts: 2,317 Member
    To motivate yourself to run, you could just start with motivating yourself to put your workout clothes on. Not necessarily run. And since workout clothes and a prerequisite to running, then you will feel more motivated to get out the door and run. Using a little bit of psychology can go a long way. I know that as soon as I put the workout clothes on and my HRM, I feel much more pumped to exercise than I did when wearing other clothes.
    Great idea!

    Thanks, everyone!
  • Tamishumate
    Tamishumate Posts: 1,171 Member
    what about running intervals? I have been reading about them, they seem to get you the break thru you need. give them a try, I started today!
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    what about running intervals? I have been reading about them, they seem to get you the break thru you need. give them a try, I started today!

    Do a Google search on High Intensity Interval Training.. or HIIT. It usually gets me some results.
  • christine918
    christine918 Posts: 261
    Running is an amazing way to loose weight and to feel great about yourself! I saw that you can already run five miles! That is wonderful! For me, Distance running is the only way to loose weight or now, to keep it off. If you would be willing, you should check out a training program for a half marathon. There are some great ones on the Runners World site. Also incorperate some stregnth training so you stay toned! Good Luck!!:flowerforyou:

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  • chrissyh
    chrissyh Posts: 8,235 Member
    The first month of Couch to 5k dropped me 10 pounds!
  • jojo52610
    jojo52610 Posts: 692 Member
    Yep I do 3 miles as a base I can do 5 . I've been trying to increase my speed - It seems to be working for me I'm dropping some pounds.

    good luck!
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