Week 7 loving it but not losing weight?!

[Notarunner1982]

Hello! Just done w7r1 and feeling pretty good about it all 😃

However, I guess I'm looking for some reassurance or solidarity on one point...

I went into this c25k a) to get fitter (doing well there, so "tick") and b) to lose weight (not doing so well 😕). For context, I had a baby a yr ago and have been breastfeeding until recently. I was losing weight pretty quickly while bf-ing and feeling great about it, but have now started putting loads of weight back on again, despite the running and also eating a bit less (I'm no calorie counter, I just eat healthily but with a healthy appetite!!). It's obviously the breastfeeding that made all the weight loss happen but I guess I'm a bit disappointed that the running doesn't seem to be having any real effect on its own. Has anyone else had similar? Any tips etc? Just wanna get rid of my jelly belly lol 😂

Despite this little moan I have to say I'm enjoying the running and will definitely keep it going. I've literally never run further than an enforced 400m at school before, but now the end of c25k is in sight and I'm already looking at the Bridge to 10k follow on plan - get me!

[nowster Graduate]

Don't look at the scales, look at your waist. Running converts fat to muscle.

[healthy-laughter Graduate]

My scales haven't really shown a difference either. Think it would have to be both cutting down and the exercise for that but I think my legs and bum look a bit trimmer. Jury is out on the tummy thought. Someone I work with said they thought I'd lost weight from the back; another just asked if I'd got shorter! 😕

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Running (or any cardio exercise) is generally not great for weight-loss. Why? You have do many hours of it per week to burn sufficient calories.

In general, running burns about 100 calories for every 1 mile at a moderate pace. So 5k (3.1 miles) burns only about 300 cal.

More scientifically, running burns 1 cal, per kg of bodyweight, per kilometer .

Rowing, cycling, swimming, elliptical, walking etc all similar (some differences of course). I'm no expert, but from what I've read and seen, the most time-efficient calorie-burning exercise seems to be weight-lifting.

[Notarunner1982 Graduate in reply to John_W]

Interesting, thanks. And that's compared to (from various sources I've read) approx 500-600 calories "burned" per day when feeding a baby. So I'd have to run twice as far (at least) and every day to get the same effect!! My husband has been banging on about strength training being crucial as well so I guess I'm going to have to build that in.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Exactly - and so many folks don't realise. If weight loss is you goal, incorporate weights if you can.

[Ruby69 Graduate]

I’m same enjoying the running and feeling great but only lost a couple of lbs. but nowster and others saying we may be converting fat to muscle so here’s to a muscly belly 😂😂😂😂😂

[Dups Graduate]

I know you maybe disappointed, but hey you only had a baby a year ago, it can take some time before the weight loss and the ‘jelly belly’ starts to go.

I think you have done great getting out, getting fitter while looking after a new baby.

I have t had any weight loss, (would be nice if I had) but enjoying the challenge and getting fitter. Keep going and enjoy your running 🏃‍♀️

[Notarunner1982 Graduate in reply to Dups]

Haha - the baby isn't the problem, it's the 4-yr old! Thanks, enjoy too!

[Zess Graduate]

I've lost about 3st in 3 months. But running is just a small part of it. I am watching my diet- counting calories and upping the protein, as well as strength training and trying to get out for a walk on my non run days (or at least hit my 10k steps every day). I've even given up alcohol!

So running is great for your overall health and wellbeing but running alone with no other changes is not necessarily going to make a difference. Some people may even compensate, either by eating more or sitting around more because they've done a run that day.