Does Running to Lose Weight Really Work?

[nowster]

A surprisingly well written article, free from the usual hype.

secretsofrunning.com/tips-a...

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

That’s a great article. Really sensible advice.

I like where it says not judge weight loss just by the scales. I’ve actually put a few kg on doing more strength training but I haven’t gone up any dress sizes…that’s a relief because I don’t want to have to buy a whole new wardrobe of run kit!!! Loved the emphasis on mixing up the run types and adding intervals.

I particularly liked how it highlighted the positive hormonal changes you get with running. I think a lot of people don’t realise the power exercise has to affect how your body responds to insulin-super important for avoiding or managing type 2 diabetes.

Thanks for sharing!

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It was funny when I went in for a checkup with the local GP's practice nurse about this time last year. At that point I'd been running regularly for two years. She was plugging all the factors and blood tests into the "computer says no" program, and seemed to be disappointed when it didn't recommend me go onto statins. 🤣

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I had a DEXA scan earlier this year. It said my osteoporosis had improved. The only lifestyle difference since my last scan 6 years ago is the running. Fantastic. Still on the statins though lol.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

My Statin conversation went; your BMI is fine, blood pressure-fine, cholesterol- fine….you would usually be on Statins at your age…..I said that as they were designed to deal with problems I appeared not to have, I wouldn’t bother. Running rocks!!🙂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

So true. I love it when medical professionals ask what medicines you take. When you say none, they ask again louder, as they think you must be deaf, or senile.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Probably as well that they don’t know about 2 speed runs this week with 3x7 minute intervals at 6:20/k. 😂

[javo123j Graduate10]

Very informative. Thanks

[RunningJ123 Graduate10]

I really like this:

You aren’t burning your body to the ground, you are rebuilding while still living inside it. That takes time.

Wise words!

[00marks Graduate10]

I had a regular NHS health check earlier in the week and the nurse commented that my resting heart rate was rather low and was I OK. I said I had taken up running and when you become more fit your resting heart rate decreases.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Interesting reading. I do enjoy the NRC intervals. Good to hear that they will help lose weight too.

[mrrun Graduate10]

l like this article, find it very accurate, informative and helpful to all who aim to lose weight through running.

However, with the last bit we need to elaborate a bit more:

“The first time will seem hard. The second time will seem easier. By the third time, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this earlier.”

I think it’s hard pretty much all along, you are battling a bunch of elements, let alone a long established habit that you are now trying to change. What it takes is determination, stubbornness and hard core discipline throughout. And that’s just following the guidance from this article.

Is it doable? Of course it is - providing you want to do it, otherwise it’s not. One of my first posts here, back in 2016, mentioned my transformation from some very untidy lifestyle choices to what l do now. Although weight loss wasn’t my aim, most points from the article helped me cross the line and transform my life.

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10]

The absolute hardest thing for me is to lay off cookies, pastries, and pretzels... I am starting to get more annoyed with myself, though, since I put in the hard work with running and pilates, so maybe that'll help me to resist temptation... And, wow, are there oodles of temptations around here: A bakery across from the bakery right next to the bakery...

If anybody has any tips on that, I am all eyes! (Moving away from those bakeries is not an option 😉)

[mrrun Graduate10 in reply to ChannelRunner2]

I can relate to it from another point. I was addicted to nicotine. I just could not quit. I researched the methods, googled for help but, no, nothing worked. And then, the old school kicked in. On the morning of 1 May 2015, l decided that l would never have another smoke. Literary ever. No cutting down, no patches, no hypnosis, no talks, nothing. And so l quit and haven’t looked back. I simply presented myself with a choice - ‘you want to do this or not?’. And in life there is no third option. It’s actually very simple. 😉

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

I am glad it worked for you,     mrrun , but the idea that addiction can be overcome by sheer will power can be rather dangerous since it blames the person who cannot just quit cold-turkey ("well, they must not really want it"). In life, there are many options (cutting down, for example, or doing it only socially would be other options...). If this were as simple as you make it out to be, a lot more people would've quit their addictive behavior!

Of course, I am 99.9% certain that you'll respond to this comment with "well, you must not really want to quit then." 🙈 Which wouldn't be particularly helpful...

Btw, the science is also on my side... See for example ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... or psychologytoday.com/us/blog...

[mrrun Graduate10 in reply to ChannelRunner2]

Of course, l agree with you. It may have been simple for me as I convinced myself that that was literary the only way, and l can only speak for myself. I’m well aware that we all work in different ways.

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate10 in reply to mrrun]

I still find it fascinating, though, that some folks seem to be able to just quit... A co-worker of mine was also able to do that while another struggles despite help... What makes the difference?

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to ChannelRunner2]

Having quit in early 2020, part of the difference could be the way the body metabolises nicotine. If you metabolise it quickly then the craving for more kicks in sooner. Levels of addiction vary also person to person.

[mrrun Graduate10 in reply to ChannelRunner2]

A friend hasn’t managed to quit even after his heart surgery. My story was a mix of two factors, a family motto where you’ve got to do certain things by yourself and do them properly and the right motivation that will accompany the process. My motivation was the fear of death. I immediately took up physical activity to fill in the gaps and although l still hang around smokers, haven’t been tempted once.