How does running help me lose weight?

For many this is the reason they start running. It's not a bad reason to start. (Are there any bad reasons to start running?) Running burns roughly 100 Cals/mile. This varies from individual to individual, depending on their weight, and their running efficiency. But for ball park calculation it's close enough. Curiously it doesn't much depend on speed. Go faster, you burn calories faster, but you also cover distance faster. The two effects cancel. If that were all the benefit, you'd better like running a lot if you've got a lot of weight to lose. Thirty to Forty miles per pound. Ick. However, the effects of running will speed up your metabolism somewhat for hours afterword, so you end up burning more calories sitting still than you used to.

Muscles can burn either glucose or fat. (Actually fatty acids...) At high speed (more than 70% of aerobic max) glucose burning dominates. At low speed (about 60% of aerobic max) fat burning dominates. So if weight loss is your main goal, run lots of miles at a pace you can carry on a conversation.

Running doesn't cause appetite to increase much. For many it decreases appetite. As long as you're starting to do things because it's healthy, cut down your fat intake, and increase your vegies.

As you lose weight, you will find that you run better, faster, and enjoy it more. Further, without the extra pounds banging on your knees and ankles, you are less likely to hurt yourself.

Finally, it took years to get into the awful shape you are in. Be patient. It will take a long time to get rid of excess weight. Figure on 1 to 2 lbs per month.

Running increases the metabolism for faster calorie burning.

it depends if your running to or away from the fridge!

actually running is fun.. i lost 80 pounds in 3 months all thanks to running i still cant belive it

It burns calories to a certain extent. But in order to lose weight by running, you need to be burning more calories than you are taking in. For the average person, that is a lot of running. So you can go running every night for an hour and not lose any weight. And doing it that way actually is not the best way to do it. You have to burn through all your calories stored up AND THEN your body will start tapping into fat reserves. But if you just do cardio when you have no carbs in you, your body will be forced to use fat for fuel almost immediatly. So you will be getting much more benefit out of doing 30 minutes cardio like that then running 4 hours after having eaten all day. Now obviously you shouldnt do very strenous or prolonged cardio on an empty stomach. That can make you pass out. But 20-30 minutes on a treadmill at a modest pace, walking as fast as you can without running, will be fine. Also, you can have some protein first. Carbs are stored as glycogen in the liver. The liver then transfers that as glucose (sugar) into your bloodstream for fuel. As long as your glycogen levels are high, you will be using food for energy.Your glycogen levels are the lowest at two times; when you first wake up in the morning because you have nothing in your system, and right after a workout because you should have used up all the glucose. SO doing 30 minutes cardio at those times is the most efficient way to lose fat. I've been bodybuilding for ten years and this is how I get lean.

Hi there,

I've written an article on this subject which you may find useful at http://www.runningandweightloss.com/articles/why-use-running-to-lose-weight.html.

The main points are that running:

Is one of the best forms of exercise for burning calories.
It uses a lot of muscle mass which helps with the calorie burning.
It helps you maintain muscle while losing weight from fat.
It provides you with a lot more energy.
It provides you with many other physical and mental benefits which result in a much improved health and fitness.

I have taken up running as my new year resolution. Have been running for about 6 weeks. I feel better already, I cover about 1.5miles at a time everyday. I also walk another mile taking my son to school. I feel really good. I hope I will keep it up for as long as I can.

Running is one of the best cardios that you can do! It gives you lots of energy, and you will burn from about 100-150 calories per mile. Running is very effective you will see results very fast. For a month and a half I ran 2 miles a day and lost 30 pounds.You will also have to watch your food intake. But it works! No pain no gain!

AmeriAka's Black Barbie

running uses many of the leg muscles in your body ... it pushes your body further than walking or treadmill running will push you. B/c you are using these muscles so often you gain muscle mass and lose fatty acids, fat and glucose all at the same time. It helps to condition your body as well, which means over time you will be able to run further and for longer with less breaks and less heavy breathing! RUNNING IS SOOOOO FUN AND SOOO EFFECTIVE! ENJOY;;

Burns calories and it's really hard to eat fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy and biscuits while running..........

burning calories building muscle its that simple

I ran hundreds of miles over a 2 year period, and I consistently gained weight. At my furthest distance, I was running 30 miles, with full combat gear. Oh by the way, this was the Marines.

Running can help lose weight, but it's not the key.

As someone said; it burns calories.

You will need to run a lot to lose weight. You will also need to do heavy running in order to lose weight. I don't recomend running to lose weight.

It not only burns calleries, it speeds up your matabalism so you'll continue to burn calieries more efficently for hours after running.

Your question is so stupid I thought it was asked by answerbag staff at first.

It burns calories.

Running helps you to lose weight in the following ways:

Actually, routinely running or jogging to the point of achieving an aerobic metabolic state is what is necessary to lose weight. Doing so has the following long term effects on you. It is these effects that really cause you to lose weight by exercising, and not so much what you burn while in the act of exercising.

Increasing over all muscle mass and tone and reducing fat stores is one of the first things that occurs. Muscle consumes more base energy than fat does, that is why your body tends not to keep muscles built up when they are not being use. This is probably the most important reason why you lose weight when exercising to achieve an aerobic rate. This sometimes causes persons who are trying to lose weight to feel defeated at first because muscle is heavier that fat, so at first a runner can actually gain a little weight.

Sometimes, in some people it may reduce appetite.

Endorphin release, a result of running, generally increase ones feeling of well being, making one feel more energetic, and thus more generally active.

We are one of the best species at endurance running on earth.

in short anything that gets your heart rate up will help you lose weight, however make sure your diet is good as no matter if you run/walk/ride bike it wont mean zip if your over eating

Well you would presume that running would take away lots of the fat thighs but it would take a long time in order to do so. if you are planning to lose weight during the summer you would probably lose about 6 lbs all together with only running.

It burns calories.

I too lost over 30 lbs running within a month an 1/2. Also no soda, tea etc. Cut down the sugars. Just water it really is not that bad cold. Now that all I've been drinking besides my mixed drinks from time to time. Also no second servings and very light lunch or breakfast. Doing all the above will have you where you want your weight in no time. You just have to get out there and DO IT!

Any exercise will help in your quest to lose weight. However it is best to combine it with a regime of other work out plans as well as a diet that complements them.

I have been running for about 1 and a half months now about 3 times a week on the treadmill and I can definitely agree that running helps.

Starting with running for 5 mins strait at 11 kmph then having a 2.5 min walk (at 5 kmph) then running for 2.5 mins and carry on with the 2.5 mins run walk pattern until i reach 45 mins.

Now i can run 15 mins without a problem then have a 2 min break and run 3 mins upto 45 mins on the treadmill.

I feel less out of breath, i keep measuring my heart beats per min and see that on my breaks between runs it reduces much quicker than when i started and i feel like i have got my breath back much quicker as well.

Running is good and it makes you feel good as well, i feel proud everytime i get off the treadmill.

Now i manage to burn 525 calories in 45 mins, and cover 7 km.