running to lose weight

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Running has never helped me lose much weight. Too much cardio just makes me more hungry. I find that lifting heavy weights and interval training works better for me. Weight training also helps build muscle and increases your metabolism more than cardio. After weight training you will continue to burn calories after the workout where with cardio the minute you stop doing it you stop burning calories. I also believe that running is something you should do when you are in shape, not to get into shape. Out of shape people running are just increasing their chances of getting injured and further derailing their fitness. Obviously different things work for different people but this has been my experience.

I will also add that I am a firm believer that weight loss is 80% Diet and 20% exercise. It won't matter what you do for exercise if you eat too much. It is nearly impossible to out exercise a poor diet.

I guess it depends on your body. I started the weight training/interval route (with a Personal Trainer) and tranitioned to heavy running and could not keep the weight on. Now that I run about 25 miles a week, I have to really shovel the food in to keep my weight were I want it. At 5'9", I look my best at 148 and for me, I have to work to keep at this weight.

[Anonymous]

For someone who is significantly overweight, I would get a doctor's sign-off and then start using the arc trainers at the gym, and the bikes. Both are efficient calorie burners, and have less impact on the joints than running. (and possibly walking.) Start at a low incline and resistance level and gradually up it. Then once you've lost some weight and your lungs are used to the exertion, get on the treadmill or sidewalk/road/trail/track and start walking, and then move on to a walk/jog combo. Gradually increase the Jog:walk ratio until you're mostly running. And don't give up! It will seem hard at first, but just keep pushing a little more at a time. (also hydrate, eat to fuel your activity and get fitted for good shoes.)