Happy Sunday all! Wk 8 run 3 done - looking down the barrel of week 9 😁🏃‍♀️

[Runforthedress]

Hello and happy Sunday. I have a question. On my Fitbit I seem to be running in zone 3 & 4 (comfortably) but I was told that running in zone 2 is for maximum benefit, i.e. weight loss? Does anyone else know about this? I’d be grateful for any ideas. Thanks 😊

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

Congratulations on completing week 8, Runforthedress ! 🥳

I don't know anything about Fitbit, so I can't answer your question... Just stopped by to celebrate 😉

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to ChannelRunner2]

thank you…… ! 🎉🏃‍♀️

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hi, you are doing great, I don’t think I can quite run in zone 2 it would be more like a walk, I wouldn’t worry too much about the zones, run by feel, as long as it feels ok you are doing great. As to weight loss, sadly running alone is unlikely to make you lose weight, you burn about 100 calories per mile, and have to run a lot of miles to burn a significant amount of calories, but you will tone up and have a better shape as well as feel fitter 😀oh and I waffle on a bit

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, yes I realise running alone won’t do it - although running seems to help you make better choices with food…. 😁👍🏻

[Instructor57 Graduate]

this post may answer a few questions for you !

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Happy running!

[Jell6 Graduate]

I don't actually know, I have returned to my Fitbit due to my other watch suffering premature battery failure, and have paid attention to the zones. I seem to run the majority of my runs in the cardio zone (which is an improvement from the peak)

What I can say is that running in the lower effort zones are more likely to keep you running. I can do longer distances in the fat burn and cardio zones so from that point it will be more calories burned. However you will only get the big calorie burn on much longer distances.

For me a 5km run is around 300 calories, at a higher zone ie more cardio and peak around 290, so we're not talking massive differences here. But would I still be running 3 times a week if they were all hell for leather. No I wouldn't.

3 x5 kms a week is around 900 cals, so if you go from no exercise to that it could work out that you lose around lb a fortnight, that's assuming you don't reward yourself after each run!!

But running is an excellent choice and it's benefits are so much more than weight management 😊

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Thank you that makes a lot of sense and my main aim to run is for mental health, I find that I feel much less anxious and get a real sense of rested calm afterwards. I’m getting married in Dec and would like 5-7lbs off so provided I’m not silly that seems like a real possibility. Win -win! 😁

[Bluestreek Graduate]

Hi, wrist monitors are notorious for picking up cadence instead of heart beat. Also heart beat and pulse at your wrist aren’t the same! I had a heart problem it was stuck at 220 bpm but on my wrist watch it was dropping back to normal. Under those conditions the poor old heart can’t get enough blood through it to pump properly so your pulse drops. Always where a chest monitor when exercising! It could save your life, mine did.