Weight gain?

[LesleyD123]

I was kind of hoping for a bonus weight loss as a side effect of running, but seem to be putting it on? I'm on week 6 and whilst I feel firmer and look more slender due to better posture I haven't lost inches or weight, I've gained a small amount. Was it wishful thinking?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

It works for some..but not others... as this is not, specifically a weight loss programme, it does not always follow. Fitter, leaner, trimmer and tighter seem to be the benefits...

If you keep running and link it with a healthy eating regime, then I think it will eventually make a difference?

Keep running anyway Well done you!

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Same here! But, my thighs feel firmer, as the muscles are growing stronger - and muscle is heavy I am guessing?! Trying not to over-eat - are you watching your diet too? I have heard that long, slow runs are best for fat burning, and am not running for that long yet. All in good time...let's focus on the other benefits for now, of which there are many! I started running to improve my heart and lung health. 😀

[rolysmate Graduate]

weight loss I don't know BUT I'm pretty certain you will have burnt off fat and gained muscle (which does weigh more than fat)

When you look in the mirror now does the person looking back at you look better than the "old you"

[MsFickle]

I felt the same - up until Week 7 I gained weight - advice on here was don't use the scales instead measure yourself - my clothes felt looser so I gave up using the scales - after Week 9 I stepped on the scales and was amazed I had lost 4 kg - 😀😀😀so persevere and I'm sure the weight will fall off

[LouIselsqy Graduate in reply to MsFickle]

Well done 😄 ! Encouraging news.

My shape has changed a little and some clothes are looser but I do other exercise routines so hard to know.... my derrière is still sizeable though

[LesleyD123 in reply to MsFickle]

That's a relief, thanks for sharing this!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Running obviously burns more calories than sitting on the couch - but the amount of calories expended for a 30 minute run is not large , when compared to a small piece of chocolate, cake, biscuit, alcohol, soda drink, etc. One would think that if we continued on our normal diet and then exercise, we would see weight loss - but sometimes it doesn't work that way unless we exercise for hours per day. What we really need to do is to have an active life all day long - not just a run for 30 minutes 3 days per week - and we need a diet that does not include high energy density manufactured foods. Eat what your great-Grandmother used to eat - before the advent of modern supermarkets.

[LouIselsqy Graduate]

That's interesting, I've not really noticed too much difference weight wise -unfortunately, but I like my food 😊... and really pleased I'm sticking with the programme, feel more confident out running used to be quite self conscious when I started C25K but hardly at all now plus, it's all good for bone density in later life I've heard....

[Coddfish Graduate]

My own experience as a slightly overweight post-menopausal new runner was losing around 8 kilos steadily over the first year of running (with no change to diet) and dropping 1-2 dress sizes in the process. You are not going to build a lot of bulky muscle through running (look at Mo Farah if you doubt this). If you want to lose a little bit of weight without changing diet, try combining running with a bit of work with weights. It will help your running to strengthen glutes, core etc anyway.

[LesleyD123 in reply to Coddfish]

Thank you and well done!