Please come and tell me how running changed your body?

[Newyearnewmehopefully]

I have lost about 1 stone since summer mainly through being miserable and sad - not recommended.

However with the new year I’ve decided to try and overhaul my health, fitness and hopefully body.

I’d like to give up smoking and start running slowly. I’m thinking of doing couch to 5k and swimming in between. Mainly I’d love to lose weight, tone up and really improve my bottom which is a bit flabby and sad.

Does running actually change your body shape and in particular your bum or would I have to do a lot more?

Didn't change me, but I already did other exercise. Or am oblivious.

My friend has taken up running and looks incredible! She’s sort of lengthened - like her legs look long and toned, and her tummy is long and flat. I’m not describing it very well

I am worried that running in itself won’t do anything for me

Watching with interest!

Only one way to find out, isn't there?

Get good shoes fitted at somewhere that offers gait analysis. And orthotics if you have flat/overpronated feet.

Not a lot if I'm honest. I mean, I feel physically and mentally better but I look pretty much the same, mainly because I really like cake

Ninja that’s a good way to describe it - I sort of lengthened. And it toned up my arms a bit.

It’s a really good way to get started and as you get fitter you might fancy doing other things like weights. But it should make visible changes to your body.

One of the things that happened to me after a couple of months of running, slightly TMI, but I went to the loo, sat down and thought that something was wrong, something was missing. Quick double-check and I’d taken my jeans down without undoing them, so it’s subtle, but changes happen.

I took up running after my 2nd child in 2017 and worked my way up to running 2 marathons in 2019. I lost 3.5 stone from short runs (5k) 3 times a week (plus counting calories and Zumba).

Once I started long distances the weight actually crept up again as you have to fuel so much and always hungry. I stopped counting calories as my goal wasn’t weight loss anymore, it was running far. However, I am toned and have changed my life by running.

If weight-loss is your primary goal then run 5k-10ks and keep track of food other wise you might end up with the runger!

Good luck and enjoy!

toned my legs, lost a bit of weight, knackered my knees

Not a lot! Toned legs - need to work on my stomach but that's diet and the plan for the New Year. It's a great thing to get into though.

Running will help you build muscle but losing the fat on top is largely down to cutting your food intake. So running alone won’t change your body an awful lot.

That's my body after 9 months of running (I started as a size 16) - ended a size 4 at my slimmest

Not good for face and boobs.

Toned legs and thighs. Not a lot other than that. HOWEVER, the biggest change has been to my mental wellbeing. I truly experience what is called 'the runner's high' and now it's become a compulsion. I feel so much better on days that I do run than days that I don't.

The weight melts away - if I need to lose weight for whatever reason I just go for a run every eve. Works a treat.
Great for the thigh muscles - not so much your bum.
If it creates a calorie deficit then you’ll lose weight everywhere. Even my tummy feels flatter.

Walking daily and fairly briskly for 45 mins(with dog) has done more for my legs than running ever did and no injuries. Since getting a dog 4 years ago my legs have slimmed so much.

Running is a great calorie burner so if you're eating well you can expect to lose weight.

If you want a nice arse though you need really to be doing exercises that target your glutes, with weights for the biggest impact. You could try hill walking if you want to get outdoors too. Hill walkers have great bums.

Will say, I didn’t ever run daily whereas walking with the dog I HAVE to so that’s probably the difference.

Felt lengthened and leaner. Love running for fitness but for my figure I lift heavy. That did insane shit. First six weeks I stayed the same weight but lost 1.5 inches off my waist. Arse and hips looked insane. Must get back to it.

Thanks for all the replies! Wow rainbow that’s incredible! Is that just from running alone?

Feel a little despondent by the ones saying it won’t change much or is bad for the face but I suppose that’s also probably true.

I guess I just need to keep up the motivation and try it.

It didn't really. Makes me feel a lot happier though.

It was yes, but I was training 15hrs a week and running at least 60mi. I ran three marathons over 6 months. Don't get discouraged by the face comments, I prefer my running face. Boobs in my case did disappear.

Being outside I the fresh air and actually working your body has massive benefits for physical and mental health - way more important than a few pounds or a perfectly flat stomach

(And actually my bum is not too bad, so you could maybe put that down to running but who knows).

It won't make as much difference as weight training will. That's what reshapes the body.

I have been running for too long now to notice a change but I think it made me leaner.
Give it a go!