Running is the best way to lose weight: opinions?

skibum231 · 24-Dec-02, 02:23 PM

I read a lot of the threads here, and it seems that a common question/complaint is loosing weight. I know i am by no means an expert on anything, espically fitness, but i think running i seriously under-rated. I think aside from a clean diet, it is the most affective methode for losing weight, and being able to see muscle defination. I know that i, even a few months ago was really wanting to see good muscle defination. I had the muscle, i just needed to lose the over lying fat. Im still not quite where i want to be. But all i did was add 3 days of running, and i kept my 3 day split lifting routine. Many people here say that you lose lots of muscle when running, but i have been running for 2 and a half months, and not lost an ounce of strength or muscle...just fat. Bottom line is, in my opinon, if you want to lose weight and have that amazing body,you need to run run run.

Getit? · 25-Dec-02, 03:17 PM

I have to agree. I know it can work wonders, but I don't have running on the schedule right now mostly because I don't need to lose fat. It's good all-round workout.

Amkey · 27-Dec-02, 10:18 PM

I just posted a thread about jogging. I just started yesterday and I jogged a mile and I have never been so sore in my life!!!
I am going to start adding it in my routine. I once knew this woman who had a body from heaven and she said that how she lost the most weight was from jogging and found that she has gotten the best results with her abs from running and she had a great six pack. I am definatly going to start jogging and hopefully see some results.
Amk

stimulus · 23-Dec-03, 06:35 PM

That's most interesting, I am anxious to see results myself.

DaRkAnGel · 23-Dec-03, 07:22 PM

Running is a good method of losing weight and i defienetely would do it if i wern't already doing crazy cardio for wrestling practice.

Workaholic · 23-Dec-03, 07:47 PM

If you run half an hour each day you will lose weight!! Your heart will pump blood more efficient and lungs will work more effienciently! Overall you'll feel healthier. Am i wrong?

DaRkAnGel · 23-Dec-03, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workaholic

If you run half an hour each day you will lose weight!! Your heart will pump blood more efficient and lungs will work more effienciently! Overall you'll feel healthier. Am i wrong?

You are correct, although it may not be the only way to lose weight it is one of the bet ways to get yourself in better shape, cardiovascularly.

TheBigness · 23-Dec-03, 07:54 PM

swimming is also a great alternative to running if you are worried about impact.

ajarvis · 24-Dec-03, 07:58 AM

I agree 100% I love running. I haven't lost muscle from running either. On my old routine I was running 4 days a week and doing stairmaster 1 day a week and 3 days of weights and I actually gained strength and lost wieght :thumbup:

Gibson · 24-Dec-03, 10:57 AM

Not to sound like an antagonist here, but I used to run 3 times a week and I saw little results in terms of strength/muscle growth. I'm currently not doing any cardio and my strength has increased a ton. I've also gained about 15 lbs (mostly muscle). You guys who can do it and not lose strength are lucky.

atsharrock · 24-Dec-03, 11:17 AM

I run three times a week, ever since i started i feel much healthier, feels like im actually doing something rather than sitting on my ass.

relieves stress most definetely.

For some reason though, i think my sex drive has boosted about 3 times higher

kenyon21 · 24-Dec-03, 02:54 PM

you're absolutely right. the absolute best ways to lose weight are:
1) adding on muscle, which increases your basal (resting) metabolic rate. or in simplified terms, more muscle = burning more calories just by breathing.
2) cardio exercise, i.e. running, aerobics, or sports. you'll burn fat for energy while doing these, plus they can be a lot of fun.

if you're one of those people who thinks that running is just too boring to do, just take up a sport that has a lot of running. personally, i've played basketball like 5 days a week for my life and i ate completely awful up until this year and still maintained 17% BF just because of that. swimming works great too, as does soccer. boxing and wrestling are also awesome cardio exercises, boxing will cut you up in no time, which is one reason i've taken it up as a hobby lately.

seriously, if you want to get cut and ripped, you MUST have cardio exercises in your lineup unless you're just a lucky genetic freak

**Aw-De-Oh** · 26-Dec-03, 02:27 PM

I run and lift, and I've been gaining muscle while losing bodyfat. I don't think the common laws of 'fatloss & muscle gain don't happen together', and 'long cardio burns muscle' are completely true, atleast not for everyone. I'm happy with running my 3.75km run in around 25mins, it's definitely working the bodyfat off. Everyone says to drop the long slow runs and do HIIT - I'm gonna lose the main bulk of fat with the cardio, build the muscle, then switch to the HIIT when I'm close to ripped, just to burn off that last layer. Leave another level to rise to so I don't plateau (in bodyfat loss) before I hit my cardio threshold.

Run Run Run