Will 3 runs a week make any difference?

[StopBreakingMyStuff]

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this..

I have crept up to a size 14 recently and had a shock when I actually looked at myself properly in the mirror! Most of the extra weight I have is around my stomach/love handles/muffin top/whatever its called area.

I am a lone parent so cardio type exercise is not something I can get out to do regularly, but my boyf has offered to babysit for 15 minutes once a week, and I should be able to fit in 2 more short runs too.

My worry is that the runs will literally be 15 mins, 3 times a week. Will this, combined with cutting out all the junk food I eat (which is a fair bit tbh..) actually make any difference to my weight? I have never dieted before so Im unsure.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Sleepwhenidie]

Could you talk him into half an hour? Not so much to ask if hes going to be doing 15mins anyway....anyway...

Yes, even 15 mins will make a difference. But you will need (and probably want) to extend it fairly quickly and even starting off, 20 mins is probably better. Im not sure how long the c25k plans start you off at but would be worth looking into. Hopefully, bf will find babysitting fine and appreciate the sleeker, happier you so may, after a while, be prepared to sit for a bit longer

I would also add in a workout dvd at home, 30 day shred is great and is less than half an hour...that and your runs will definitely make a difference.

One more thing, don't make the mistake of thinking that because you ran for 15 mins that you can have a treat. The treat is likely to cancel the calorie benefits of the run. I think lots of people slip up with this .

[TellMeLater]

I don't think you will see the physical changes in our body for 45 mins a week. You'll probably be working off 450kcal in total, but it will improve your health so I think you should go for it. An exercise video wold help too. But most weight loss will come from diet rather than exercise.

[StopBreakingMyStuff]

Hmm, so the running wont actually help me lose weight? I am intending on increasing the duration, but right now I cant actually run for more than 15 minutes! I figure as I get healthier I will increase the distance.

I currently eat a lot of junk in the evenings, about 15 biscuits, some cake, some crisps etc every day. The last two days I have just had 3 meals a day and nothing else. I was under the impression though that even if I cut out junk food I couldnt actually lose weight unless I did some sort of cardio exercise too.. so where you say weight loss comes from diet not exercise what do you mean?

[TellMeLater]

I mean you need to change you diet - I can't tell how much junk food you eat, but from you last post it sounds like a lot.

Try the couch to 5k training program so you can learn to run the easy way.

I run for about 3hrs a week but I still need to limit my food - for me that's carbs - to lose weight.

[Sleepwhenidie]

Essentially, weight loss relies on you burning more calories than you consume. Thats a lot of calories you are consuming in junk...say 80 cals per biscuit, plus some cake and some biscuits, could easily add up to 1,500 calories a day in addition to your meals. Cutting that out will make a much bigger difference to weight loss than a 15 minute run, which will, as tellmelater says, burn maybe 150 calories. That is why diet will have more effect than exercise for you losing weight. Having said that, it is still an extra 150 calories and there are lots of other reasons why you should regularly exercise too. Shred will burn around 250 cals. Bear in mind that as you get fitter you can work harder/longer and burn more though, and once you reach your target weight, exercise is a much better way-IMO(!) to maintain weight rather than constantly worrying about what you eat.

It is said that the average woman, moderately active, requires approx 2,000 calories per day to maintain their weight (which IMO is generous for many of us) I don't know what your meals are like but cutting out the junk should certainly stop you gaining weight, whether you lose weight depends on the food you continue eating. To lose weight you will have to reduce your calorie intake (by eating less and/or moving more) to less than you need to maintain your weight. There are websites where you can input your weight and height and they will tell you your BMR - basal metabolic rate, or calorific requirement, so that you can then adjust your intake in order to lose weight.

Myfitnesspal is a great app for you to try - you can log your food and exercise each day and it will give you a very clear idea of calorie content of what you eat, make you realise what your portion sizes should be and the effect of exercise.

[Caerlaverock]

I used to run for 40 50 mins 3 or 4 times a week. It made no difference to my weight but I felt fantastic. I can't run ATM due to injury and am losing loads through diet using my fitness pal. So yes go for your runs but you really need less calories

[amistillsexy]

Couch 2 5k starts off with a half hour programme, every other day.
You walk for 5 mins to warm up, then alternate 60 min running with 90 min walking. Finish with 5 min cool down walk. I know because I've just got in from my second day!
15 minutes isn't long to spend considering warming up & cooling down times. Can he be persuaded to extend it? Or, he could take the baby out in the pushchair for half an hour and walk while you run.

[TellMeLater]

imstillsexy you didn't mean alternating 60mins and 90mins did you? Is it 60secs and 90sec? I can't remember the details.

[StopBreakingMyStuff]

The thing is, even if I could persuade my boyf to have the baby for an hour one day a week, thats the only time I would be able to go for a long run. The rest of the week I have nobody who can have him for more than ten minutes once or twice.

So if I eat well, cut out all the junk, and dont snack in the evenings, is it possible for me to lose weight just on the exercise I get daily anyway eg walking, playing with toddler?

I guess I was always under the impression that exercise is what makes you lose weight not diet!

[catwoo]

yes it will make a difference.Big time!

[Joby1970]

When I first lost weight (back in 1994, with Slimming World) I did no exercise. I lost 5 stone in just over a year. Weight loss is 80% diet 20 % exercise.
To make you feel healthier & more toned then add in exercise. Running is great cardio. I too would recommend Jilliam Micheals 30Day Shred DVD (you can do this in your living rom) it really sorts out the chest/abs/thighs/bingo wings!

Good luck & go for it.

[StopBreakingMyStuff]

Awesome, have just ordered 30 day shred after reading wonderful things on here about it, so that and my runs and cutting out junk should hopefully make a difference.

Im only looking to lose about a dress size, I dont think Ill ever be a size 10!!

[amistillsexy]

of course I meant seconds not minutes!

at the thought of me running for 60 minutes! (or even walking for 90!)

[aroomofherown]

I've heard "Lose weight in the kitchen, get fit in the gym." Apparently weight loss is about 80% diet.

Personally I love running so would encourage you to do it anyway! The couch to 5K is a great start. But try and sneak 30 mins each time - or come home and do 15 mins of weight/cardio training like burpees, squat jumps, pressups, plank etc.

[catwoo]

Exercise isn't just about the (fairly small) amount of calories burned.It also speeds up metabolism-increases muscle mass (further speeding it up), produces an after burn.Also it makes you less likely to overeat.you have a mechanism which links the calories you want to eat with the calories consumed , this is only activated once your activity gets up to a certain level.
it also makes you feel good about yourself and strengthens your will power.

[fatlazymummy]

There are other things you could try. How about increasing your walking with your baby in the buggy or sling. Stepping is another method of cardio that can be done indoors.

[MegBusset]

Lots of good advice here. It is MUCH easier not to eat excess calories, than it is to burn them off through exercise! If your LO naps then that's a great time to squeeze in a workout at home, Shred is highly rated and only takes 20-25 mins.

However... i would also take your boyfriend up on his offer, a 15-min run outside is still good for you, helps with cardio and I always found a bit of time away from DC works wonders for the spirit!

[Imnotaslimjim]

I'm not doing any exercise at all atm (heart condition prevents anything strenuous) but with a strict diet I am losing weight - a stone in 7 weeks, which I'm happy with

As others have said, cutting out the junk will make a difference to start with, and while 45 mins running in one week probably won't aid the weight loss, it will make you feel better in yourself, so go for it

[Fluffy1234]

I would concentrate on sorting out the evening snacking before using energy on exercise. Last year I was an evening scoffer but gave up the junk and lost a third of my body weight without doing any exercise. Now I maintain my weight by doing a daily workout DVd at home and still not snacking in the evening.