Running can lower your body fat percentage and lower your cholesterol.

[TJFlute]

I am living proof!

35% when I started - now 26% body fat.

Just had cholesterol checked and a good 2.7 result!

My advise is go and get yours checked out!

The benefits you get from running just get better and better

[RhonaL]

Wonderful result. May I ask over how long and is this weight loss and / or just exercise? I have just 'hit' 50 and I know the docs will want to check my cholesterol and I want to make sure they don't try to fling statins at me! Haven't lost weight running yet (week 5) but have got firmer esp. tummy area (I'm classic apple shape and am worried about the health implications of this - oh to be a pear...)

[kathycullen in reply to RhonaL]

I'm an apple too! Hoping running can help...TJ how do you check your body fat?

[TJFlute in reply to kathycullen]

I have bathroom scales which aslo measure my body fat percentage. They can be bought at around £35.00 mark

[kathycullen in reply to TJFlute]

thanks, i'll have a look for that...

[TJFlute in reply to RhonaL]

I tried dieting before C25K for 6 months and lost half a stone and 2% body fat: my body shape didn't really change. I did C25K (I stopped dieting, although ate healthily)and 5 months later I had lost a further stone and more significantly a further 7% body fat: my body shape had totally changed.

[RhonaL in reply to TJFlute]

Amazing and very motivating. Thank you.

[Grammadog1947 Graduate]

Thanks, TJ...I'm just getting a good start (W6R1 this morning)...and I do SOOO want to get rid of the expensive blood pressure AND cholesteral meds my doc insists I need. May I ask how long you have been running? I know from my "previous life" (former triathlete and marathoner-have completed both the Ironman World Championship and Boston Marathon) that weight loss equates to miles.

[TJFlute in reply to Grammadog1947]

I started running January 2011, so eighteen months now. I have only been around the 5k-10k mark most of that time. I am planning to do a half marathon in September.

I bet it's quite surreal coming back to running after what you've achieved in the past! I bet your cholesterol does improve

[tantrumbean Graduate in reply to Grammadog1947]

Flipping heck, Grammadog, you are famous!!!! You must have been bloody good to get into the Boston Marathon (not even thinking about Ironman World Championships)!

[RhonaL in reply to Grammadog1947]

Have you read about the DASH diet for reducing blood pressure? Might be worth a look. It is endorsed by The Mayo Clinic and many us Health Org. so it isn't pop science.