Week 7 Run 2: Why am I gaining weight???

[josephine1992]

Completed the 25 mins run successfully- I haven't had to walk during any of the runs yet. So why am I still gaining weight? When I started 7 weeks ago I was 12 stone 2 pounds. Which at 5 foot 3 inches- is borderline obese. I'm 58 years old. Really pleased with my running progress but I am now 12 stone 4 pounds! I eat healthily- loads of fruit and veg and no fatty foods. I always walk 10000 steps on my rest days. Obviously I can tell that I am stronger now but feeling really disillusioned.

[TEOTWAWKI1066 Graduate]

I am no scientist or nutritionist but muscle weighs more than fat so you could be toning up. It could be your metalbolism also in terms of not being what is once was. I know it can be disheartening but look on the plus side which is 25 minutes of non stop running. That is AWESOME.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This article may help anitabean.co.uk/https-anita...

You will not lose weight without reducing calorie intake, regardless of how "healthy" the foods are. Running for 30 minutes will not burn enough calories to cause significant weight loss.

[Brian-P6 Graduate]

Hi Josephine,

I found that during C25K I never lost anything but found myself mightily hungry at the end of each running day!

However, once you've finished C25K and you get through your consolidation and gradually increase your weekly mileage then things do start to happen. Granted I'm 5'11" but I did start at 13st and wanted to lose a few lbs. I used myfitnesspal and got down to 12st and then went back to normal eating ..... only to find that with all the running it kept falling off anyway until I got to 11st 9lbs.

As IannodaTruffe says, you do need to be in calorie deficit, but once you get into your longer runs post graduation/consolidation you could be burning 500 - 700 calories per 7 - 10K run instead of the ~350 that I was burning in C25K week7. Could be the difference between an iced doughnut and dinner!

I did like using myfitnesspal (integrates with Garmin if you have a watch), if nothing else it gave me a huge appreciation of what calories are in what ... like when I checked up on how much mayonaise I squeezed over my 'healthy' salad ... HOLY COW, HOW MUCH!!

Keep running and keep the faith,

Brian.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

As has already been said, the amount of actual running you do on couch to 5k isn't enough in itself to put you in calorie deficit. It does have enormous benefits for your cardiovascular system and sets you up for a lifetime of good habits.

I was 59 when I started running. As a lifetime yoyo dieter, I lost weight before starting the programme. Since I started regular and longer runs, I've stopped worrying about my weight. I rarely get on the scales, but all my clothes fit me and I feel confident in my own skin. That's something I could only dream of previously.

My best advice is to use a tape measure to measure your progress. Everything will tighten up and, as muscle is denser than fat,the scales may show a slight rise as you develop a running body.

Don't feel disheartened - you are absolutely doing the right thing and you are making fantastic progress! 👏👏👏