Forums >Running 101>Does running help with wanting to slim down?
I am an already smaller person, but i want to tone up and slim down belly fat. I've been running and combing small amounts of weight training, and I just wanted to know if I should run more to slim down, or do smaller distance with a higher intensity, or a longer distance at a lower intensity? Any post run/workout snack suggestions help too. Thank you so much!
mileage hound
Slimming down = burning more calories = running more miles. Usually this requires you to slow down.
Faster running has its place, but if sheer weight loss is your goal you need to focus on distance.
You don't need gimmicky food after you run. Particularly if you are trying to lose fat you don't want to use running as an excuse to eat more. Any healthy snack (ie a banana, apple) is fine.
2013 goals: Kick some arse. Moreso than 2012.
"If you want to be a bad a$s, then do what a bad a$s does. There's your pep talk for today. Go Run." -- Slo_Hand
"Determined is what I am. Maybe a little sick in the head? Ok who am I kidding ALOT sick in the head" -- rockenmamaof5
Interval Junkie --Nobby
One other thing to consider is 'doubles' - running a few miles in the morning, then a few miles in the evening, rather than one longer run.
Apparently working out puts your metabolism into over-drive for up to 14hrs. 'Doubles' should have you covered for the whole day.
Otherwise, what Spaniel said.
2013 Goals: 18:49 5K • 1:25 HM • sub-3 Marathon • run lots of races
Current Status 5/13: challenging my Achilles issue -- building some base
Use the search function and peek in the weight loss group and you'll find lots of advice. I won't repeat it but I'll offer one bit of advice that's helped me: Don't train for aesthetics. Train for performance.
Pick some performance goals. A 5K (or some other race distance) goal time, a weekly mileage goal, being able to squat xx lbs for xx reps, x chin ups. Then build towards them. I just think it's much more fun to train for a performance-related goal. It keeps you motivated and building towards something rather than just watching the scale or mirror. But believe me, when you start hitting the performance goals, the aesthetics will come along for the ride.
Milktruck say relentless
running a little more, eating smaller portions, and some core workouts (crunches and planks)
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
" ..that corner has narrowed to a half-nekkid egyptian wandering about in the cold new jersey nighttime."~ R2E
More Cowbell!
Run More Eat Less really does work. But beware -- running more can stoke your appetite, so don't mistake that famished feeling after running as a license to eat everything (note the Eat Less). Some people actually gain weight training for marathons because they overeat as a result of the increased appetite.
When you're on your deathbed, you won't be wishing that you'd spent more time at the office. But you will be wishing that you'd spent more time running. Because if you had, you wouldn't be on your deathbed.
Fanatic #3965
Some people actually gain weight training for marathons because they overeat as a result of the increased appetite.
Kirsten
'07: 1324.5 | '08: 1561 | '09: 1810.9 run ~ 208.7 bike | '10: 1,000.3 run ~ 3513.5 bike | '11: 710.3 run ~ 4157.9 bike '12: 659.9 run ~ 3365.6 bike (100% benched by ortho last 4.5 weeks while in long-arm cast)
• DON'T BREAK ANYTHING!!!
• get within 5#s of 130#s (and stay there, gotdammit!)
• 1st olympic distance duathlon
• 1st Iceman Cometh mtn bike race
• Half Fanatic
• punch Type 1 in the junk
Maniac
Guilty
On the flipside, I think 1/2 marathons are like the best weight-loss plan ever.
Marathon Maniac #6740
Goals for 2013:
Run 3 Marathons in less than 6 weeks
Run 1,500+ miles
Guilty here too. I did learn to control the beast in my belly by eating healthy protein more often. I ate a lot of hard boiled eggs. Seemed to do the trick for me. Protein keeps you full longer as well as lots of water.
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