Running makes me fat

[Anonymous]

I am in my late 40s, fairly active, and have been about 10 pounds overweight since having kids a long time ago. I really enjoy jogging/running, but whenever I do it or any other more intense exercise it makes me so hungry for the rest of the day, even if it’s just a short run. I tend to weigh less the times when I am exercising less, and I am sure it’s because I am less hungry then. Having a high-protein snack after exercising doesn’t seem to help - I still eat a lot more for the rest of the day. Is there some way that I can still do more intense cardio exercise like running without the weight gain? I have absolutely no willpower for not eating when I am hungry.

[Anonymous]

You don’t need intense cardio, it’s not good for someone if your age with your hormone profile. It not only spikes hunger but also cortisol. You need to do steady state cardio, like walking. Not a leisurely stroll but enough to get your heart rate slightly elevated while still being able to talk. Doing that 30-60 minutes a day has huge fat burning and cardio benefits, moreso than running.

[Anonymous]

Running does not, and cannot, make you fat. Like you acknowledge, the problem is your eating habits. What exactly are you gorging on all day long? Whether you run or not, limit your intake of empty calories. Protein is by far the most filling so stick to high-protein snacks.

[Anonymous]

Stop running. Do yoga. Take walks...same calorie burn if you walk further.

[Anonymous]

Also figure out your macros and count calories. You should be eating no more than 1100 if you want to seriously lose weight at your age.

[Anonymous]

I’m a little younger than you but honestly same. Some I feel crazy because runners are slim and fit right? I get so many non weight related benefits from running I don’t want to stop completely. But I have been experimenting with running a few days a few and just knowing I’m going to eat carbs those days and then the other days I try to keep things low key and calories low. I do not really enjoy yoga but I try and do some barre and Pilates to build muscle without getting super hungry. My mom has always been super thin and now has terrible osteoporosis so I am trying to make sure I keep my whole health picture in mind

[Anonymous]

Lift weights. Less cardio. If you want to lose 10 pounds you need to eat less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Running does not, and cannot, make you fat. Like you acknowledge, the problem is your eating habits. What exactly are you gorging on all day long? Whether you run or not, limit your intake of empty calories. Protein is by far the most filling so stick to high-protein snacks.

She acknowledged that running makes her super hungry. This happens to me also. Intense exercise makes me way too hungry (and for some of us, it’s not just something we can ignore and move on, it’s more intense for others. I’ve never “forgotten” to eat, my body won’t let me). I do yoga and walk a lot. Thankfully I don’t have a sedentary job.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me as well. The hunger isn't from calories burnt, but from your muscles needing more protein after a strenuous workout. You'd feel just as hungry if you lifted weights. Eat a low calorie protein source after your workout, like turkey breast or a protein drink, and you'll feel full without overeating later. 25g of lean protein is about 120 calories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Running does not, and cannot, make you fat. Like you acknowledge, the problem is your eating habits. What exactly are you gorging on all day long? Whether you run or not, limit your intake of empty calories. Protein is by far the most filling so stick to high-protein snacks.

She acknowledged that running makes her super hungry. This happens to me also. Intense exercise makes me way too hungry (and for some of us, it’s not just something we can ignore and move on, it’s more intense for others. I’ve never “forgotten” to eat, my body won’t let me). I do yoga and walk a lot. Thankfully I don’t have a sedentary job.

Yeah OP isn't crazy. It happens to me as well. Running makes me ravenous. I just do pilates and walk a lot as well. But I would like to do something intense to benefit my heart/mood...

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of this “running makes me ravenous” talk is psychosomatic. You feel like you did something hard and you deserve a reward. Try running first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and then stick to three good meals a day, maybe a single snack in the afternoon. Avoid grazing all day thinking “I ran today, this is fine.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of this “running makes me ravenous” talk is psychosomatic. You feel like you did something hard and you deserve a reward. Try running first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and then stick to three good meals a day, maybe a single snack in the afternoon. Avoid grazing all day thinking “I ran today, this is fine.”

Oh shut up

[Anonymous]

I am naturally hungry every three hours no matter what or how much I eat and exercise early in the day can make that worse and make it hard to maintain my weight. Exercising after work is ideal for me (usually 60 to 75 minutes of cycling and some strength). I'm fortunate that works with my schedule (I'm 50 with kids grown and gone).

If I ate 1100 calories a day my brain and body wouldn't even function- I eat almost twice that much to maintain 120 pounds! I weighed 90 when I restricted calories like that in college - never again.

[Anonymous]

More good quality protein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of this “running makes me ravenous” talk is psychosomatic. You feel like you did something hard and you deserve a reward. Try running first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and then stick to three good meals a day, maybe a single snack in the afternoon. Avoid grazing all day thinking “I ran today, this is fine.”

Oh shut up

?? Sorry if that not what you want to hear. Just a little advice from someone who’s been running for 25 years, is not fat, and doesn’t even really watch what she eats.