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Best excerise for weight loss?

18 replies

MsRamone · 11/11/2015 11:53

I am doing slimming world but need a little extra to trim down.

So what is the best exercise for weight loss?

I have suggested running but was told on here it doesn't work as a weight loss measure.

What about swimming?

I will be returning to martial arts very soon - 3 nights a week so that might help a bit. Any other ideas?

OP posts:
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lastqueenofscotland · 11/11/2015 12:49

Mumsnet is really anti runningm for reasons beyond me I think it's great!

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SmillasSenseOfSnow · 12/11/2015 01:43

Anything cardio is fine. I don't know why anyone would say running wouldn't work! Maybe if they're exceptionally opposed to getting slightly muscular thighs...

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FatRun · 13/11/2015 15:32

Running does work IF you are able to get back from a run and not give in to your appetite. I love running. What I would say though is that personally running helps me maintain my weight rather than lose it, if that makes sense. I'm not sure the exact science of it/how effective it's officially supposed to be. It's very good for your general health, respiration etc, though.

If I wanted to shed pounds quickly I'd probably look at something like HIIT.

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FatRun · 13/11/2015 15:32

Also swimming is great as you are working your whole body so for overall toning it's a really good option.

Running doesn't do a great deal to help you tone up (other than calves and thighs in my experience)

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howcanikeepdoingthis · 13/11/2015 19:42

I'm not sure how people can argue running isn't good for weight loss? There aren't many whole body exercises that you can do for free, from your doorstep that burn as many calories per hour. I love running, I weighed 16 stones just before I gave birth to twins in January and now I'm around 10 and I haven't been dieting, just running lots!

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WandOfElderNeverProsper · 13/11/2015 23:48

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MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 14/11/2015 00:06

My doctor told me that running whilst you are overweight puts a lot of pressure on the joints, something like 1.5 times your own body weight on your knees and ankles with every step. Probably best to try and lose a bit of weight first and then use the running to lose a bit more and tone up.

(My phone decided to replace 'more and tone up' with 'Norman's gone up'. Why? Confused Grin)

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Greengagesandham · 14/11/2015 12:40

I lost a lot of weight by running, the trouble for me was that it didn't help me address my food or portion sizes, when I stopped running my weight just went back up and quite quickly.

Due to various health reasons running is no longer an option. I've lost just over 3 stone and all I have done is walk lots, pilates and weights at home...and change the food that I eat. I stopped the gym in the end and spent the money on food instead. My portion size has reduced dramatically, DH still eats the same size portion that I used to, his dish would do me for 2 or 3 meals!

I would have thought that swimming and martial arts should work, it has to be something you enjoy or want to do imo.

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JeSuisUnaStubbs · 20/11/2015 09:37

I lost 1.5 stone with Dance Dance Revolution (the dance mat games). I got totally addicted though and was on it for a couple of hours a day Grin

At the time I didn't really need to lose weight so it was a bonus. Now I really DO need to lose weight but don't have time for so much DDR.

I'm starting running again this weekend but tbh I hate it. I'm thinking of getting a scooter or roller blades but would probably feel a fool.

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iren22303 · 20/11/2015 14:46

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tabulahrasa · 23/11/2015 01:35

The reason people say running doesn't make you lose weight is because it doesn't...if you haven't changed your diet, but you have, so any activity at all will help it a bit.

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SmillasSenseOfSnow · 25/11/2015 17:21

The reason people say running doesn't make you lose weight is because it doesn't...if you haven't changed your diet

Well, if your diet stayed the same but you introduced running it would (quite obviously) change the calories in vs. calories out equation for you. If the plan was to stop running at some point then obviously it would be a good idea to have addressed your eating habits as well.

(I say this as someone currently losing weight almost entirely through diet rather than exercise.)

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tabulahrasa · 25/11/2015 18:26

"Well, if your diet stayed the same but you introduced running it would (quite obviously) change the calories in vs. calories out equation for you."

Well yes, but it's about 100 calories per mile of running...that's like, 2 apples.

To burn enough calories just by running to lose weight you'd either have to be not actually taking in too many calories over what you need or be running significant distances straight away.

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SmillasSenseOfSnow · 25/11/2015 19:06

Well yes, but it's about 100 calories per mile of running...that's like, 2 apples.

www.livestrong.com/article/211190-how-many-calories-are-burned-during-a-5k-run/

I've never looked at it by distance, I've always thought of it in a very much guesstimated version of given heart rate x X minutes kind of way (I used a Garmin Forerunner with a chest strap when I did C25K many moons ago, haven't run much recently). Who only runs (or runs + walks) one mile at a time? I'd expect someone to burn at least 150 kcals a go as long as it's not one of those occasions where you suddenly realise the weather's way too cold or you feel like crap and turn back after ten minutes.

To burn enough calories just by running to lose weight you'd either have to be not actually taking in too many calories over what you need or be running significant distances straight away.

I see what you mean. I suppose I assumed people wouldn't be eating that far above their maintenance calories while trying to lose weight, either in the first place, or as a result of running (not wanting to ruin the good effort, or being more mobile in addition to the running as a result of getting into the habit of running, etc.). Though I say that as someone who has ordered Domino's multiple times over the last couple of months while trying to lose weight, so shut my mouth. I have a feeling I might not have done so had I been exercising, though.

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SmillasSenseOfSnow · 25/11/2015 19:09

Though having said all that, I don't see what kind of exercise is any better than running in that regard. If someone is eating way over their maintenance calories, they're going to have to do a lot of exercise or they're going to have to cut their intake. So suggesting running specifically is not good for weight loss is a bit odd. You might as well say 'exercise is not good for weight loss' instead. That would be less misleading.

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Kr1stina · 25/11/2015 19:20

My advice is to find an exercise you enjoy and fits into your lifestyle . Then keep doing it - not because it helps you lose weight but because you love it and it improves your health .

Most people who have Been very unfit and then get fit wish they had done it sooner . Because they can't believe how much better it makes them feel about themselves and their life .

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tabulahrasa · 25/11/2015 19:22

Yeah, sorry, I wasn't picking on running specifically...

Exercise is great for helping weight loss along with diet and of course it's just good for your health anyway, but it's just that it won't do much by itself is all.

But as the OP has already done something about her diet, I more meant - do running if you fancy running, you'll not shift stones at a time, but doing anything is better for you than no activity Smile

As for the distance thing, if you do something like couch to 5k, it'll be quite a few weeks before you're doing more than a mile...or if you're me, even longer than that, lol

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RJnomore1 · 25/11/2015 19:22

Weights and resistance training.

As you build the muscle it raises your metabolism.

Cardio isn't really great for most people for weight loss as they over estimate calorie burn.

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