Losing weight with running

[Anonymous]

I don't have a Fitbit, but I have found that my treadmill gives me the same results for calorie burn as various online calculators (inputting age, weight, distance, time and incline). I figure I must be burning at least a decent percentage of that number. I usually hit a little over 500 calories burned (average incline of 8%, 4.5 miles in 63 minutes).

I lost 45 pounds without doing much other exercise so I can't imagine that it didn't help at all although I'm certainly not doing any energy balance calculations. I made some dietary changes but did not count calories, skip meals, cut out carbs, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the cals burned running vs walking just doesn't justify running for me.

The main thing is that running can raise cortisol levels. Cortisol directly affects fat storage and weight gain. It might throw off your appetite too.

I prefer to walk briskly.

Running burns nearly double the amount of calories. I still haven’t found another exercise that elevate my heart rate as running does.

I'm not big. I burn 80 vs 60 cals per mile. The wear on my joints is just really not worth that 20-calorie difference. It was an injury that made me realize I could still stay fit without running.

I know plenty of people with joint problems--& people with ample fat storage--who were never runners or exercisers. Injuries can certainly happen, but I don't think that's a good reason for people to give up an exercise that's generally associated with good joint health, weight maintenance, & overall physical wellbeing. Honestly, you're more probably more likely to get injured if you don't make intensive physical exercise part of your regular regimen.

(PP) Of course. Being overweight can actually lead to joint problems. But no one has to give up anything. E.g. I prefer hiking and strength training over running now.
Swimming seems like a good option too.

[Anonymous]

Exercise burns some calories but then you get hungrier. The best way to lose weight is to eat less and eat smarter. Also, 10 pounds in 3 months is really not that bad. It takes time to lose weight in a sustainable way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the cals burned running vs walking just doesn't justify running for me.

The main thing is that running can raise cortisol levels. Cortisol directly affects fat storage and weight gain. It might throw off your appetite too.

I prefer to walk briskly.

Running burns nearly double the amount of calories. I still haven’t found another exercise that elevate my heart rate as running does.

I'm not big. I burn 80 vs 60 cals per mile. The wear on my joints is just really not worth that 20-calorie difference. It was an injury that made me realize I could still stay fit without running.

I know plenty of people with joint problems--& people with ample fat storage--who were never runners or exercisers. Injuries can certainly happen, but I don't think that's a good reason for people to give up an exercise that's generally associated with good joint health, weight maintenance, & overall physical wellbeing. Honestly, you're more probably more likely to get injured if you don't make intensive physical exercise part of your regular regimen.

(PP) Of course. Being overweight can actually lead to joint problems. But no one has to give up anything. E.g. I prefer hiking and strength training over running now.
Swimming seems like a good option too.

Sure, & that's totally fair! But people are bringing up these discouraging concerns about joint health & weight in a thread where the OP specifically says they enjoy running & have lost some weight with it. Why mention it?

You don't have to run to stay in shape, but you also don't have to make discouraging comments to people who clearly find it beneficial.

[Anonymous]

Good article on this: https://runningmagazine.ca/health-nutrition/why-running-doesnt-help-with-weight-loss-but-is-still-really-good-for-you/

[Anonymous]

Too much running (or cardio in general) can backfire on you when trying to lose weight because it makes you hungrier.

If you want to lose weight, you really need to watch your carb intake. It's really easy to give in to the urge to carb load after heavy cardio sessions. You don't necessarily have to do a low carb diet - although if you can, you will definitely get fast results. But even just cutting back on carbs will help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I started running in February and I’m now running every other day either two miles or three miles. I can run 5k in 30 minutes which isn’t bad, I think, as I’m nearly 50 and haven’t been in shape for years (I’ve always hated exercise in the past so I’m quite proof of myself for sticking with this). I’ve cut out snacks and most candy and I typically don’t eat large portions - I’m vegetarian and eat fairly healthy. But I’ve lost less than 10lbs. My main motivation has been to get healthier and I think I’ve achieved that. I also feel in much better shape and much more toned. Why haven’t I been more successful with weight loss? I’m 5’ 10” and had got up to 195lb before I started running (due to lack of exercise and snacking because of the pandemic, 180lb is a more typical weight for me). I’d really like to get down to 170lb or so which is a good weight for me with my height.

To the OP, keep running! It sounds like you are eating right and you just need to increase your weekly mileage. For me, the weight starts to melt off once I'm running 20 miles a week. I like to run 5 days a week and cross train or rest on the other 2 days. If you find yourself really hungry after running, eat high protein foods.