I think you can definitely cut back, but add in some strength-training to build muscle mass and adjust your calorie burn that way. I've been a runner for nearly 28 years, and recently discovered that solidcore has been the best cross-training I could do. My core and hips are so much stronger now than before, and I can run just as fast but with much less mileage.

Find some lower impact options, OP. All that running isn't good for your joints, especially as you age.

how in the world do you fit in running 50 miles a week?! you must be much much faster than i am!

I'm in a similar boat, OP - 46, starting to cut back my mileage a bit because I'm not racing long distances anymore. I used to run close to 2,000 miles a year. Now it's just over 1,000. I used to run 12-20 miles on the weekends - now it's 5 or 6. No issues with my knees, despite the fact that I've been running seriously since high school. Most of the people I know who have had knee issues were doing sports like soccer or basketball where they had the sudden stops and turns, which is harder on knees than just straight-up running.

I'm having some issues with weight gain, but for me, that's mostly due to thyroid issues. (got my diagnosis a few years ago but haven't medicated yet.)

I do not run every day, though - I run Tue/Thur/Sat/Sun and lift Mon/Wed/Fri. I think lifting is really important, for muscle building and general fitness and calorie burn. Sounds like body pump does that for you.

You may find as you reduce your mileage that you can reduce your calorie intake without much trouble.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Running wears your joints and skin out so you should do something else. Cut back on food so you don't have to exercise as much

You sound like a real knowledgeable genius

It's true runners look beat to shlt and it doesn't take long. Do something less high impact.

You are wrong (and probably just jealous that you’re a puffy ball of jello who can’t make it up a flight of stairs) but please stay on topic. No one gives a crap about what you think runners look like and if we like to run we will continue to do so. Please revive the other thread about “why runners look like sh*t” if you have so much to say about it, otherwise, begone, jelly thighs.

+10000. So sick of slobs posting her kind of crap.

Check out this study:
https://www.prevention.com/fitness/how-walking-healthier-running

I would suggest cutting back on running, subbing some walking or alternatively 20 minutes of HIIT on the days you do body pump. With a reduction in running, you will need fewer carbs. Add in some good fat and protein to replace. See how it goes. For me, personally, when I do a lot of cardio based work, I eat much more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Running wears your joints and skin out so you should do something else. Cut back on food so you don't have to exercise as much

You sound like a real knowledgeable genius

It's true runners look beat to shlt and it doesn't take long. Do something less high impact.

You are wrong (and probably just jealous that you’re a puffy ball of jello who can’t make it up a flight of stairs) but please stay on topic. No one gives a crap about what you think runners look like and if we like to run we will continue to do so. Please revive the other thread about “why runners look like sh*t” if you have so much to say about it, otherwise, begone, jelly thighs.

Have you tried interval training?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Running wears your joints and skin out so you should do something else. Cut back on food so you don't have to exercise as much

You sound like a real knowledgeable genius

It's true runners look beat to shlt and it doesn't take long. Do something less high impact.

Anonymous wrote:Running wears your joints and skin out so you should do something else. Cut back on food so you don't have to exercise as much

You sound like a real knowledgeable genius

Running wears your joints and skin out so you should do something else. Cut back on food so you don't have to exercise as much

I’ve lost 8 pounds since I stopped running (130 to 122 at 5’4”). Now I do barre and walk the dog. Running made me fat likely because of how hungry it made me.

I’m 38 and weighed 122-124 when I was running 50+ miles a week. I burned out for a little while and also had some medication issues and was up to 133. Now, I run 35 miles a week or so and I’m pretty steady at 127. I can deal with 4 extra pounds for more free time and sanity.

For what it’s worth, I do at least one workout a week, sometimes two. Either a tempo run or track intervals, both when I’m feeling good. I think they help to build muscle and burn calories better than straight up long, slow distance.

And yeah, marathons made me eat more, and slower at other distances. I gave up marathons for shorter distance workouts and training and went from a 23-24:00 5K to a 19:50-21:00 5K.

I have found in the past that I gain weight when I train for marathons. You end up thinking you can eat more because of how much you ran. When I run less, i’m much more mindful of how many calories I am actually eating and have an easier time losing and keeping off weight. I gain weight quickly if I don’t watch what I eat, no matter how much I workout.

I'm a 46 year old woman who's been running for about 14 years and for the past several years have been running about 50 miles a week. It's gotten to the point where although I feel pretty good afterward, I dread getting up in the morning and running as much as I have been. I tend to gain weight easily and have food issues (like eating beyond when I'm full, etc.), so I'm really afraid to reduce my mileage. How can I stop running so much without gaining a bunch of weight? I do take Body Pump classes three times a week, which I think helps.

Thank you!