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?

Running made me more toned and did wonders for my mental health but it didn't really make me lose weight (even when I was training for a half marathon)unless I really watched what I ate as well.

Unfortunately I've had to give it up due to constant wear and tear injuries. Vigorous walking for me from now on. I do miss it though.

Loads. I took up running after weight loss as I wanted to tone my stomach and bum. Made a huge difference, particularly to stomach

where to start?! Perkier bottom, longer silhouette, toned thighs, smaller but perkier boobs, and neater/squarer shoulders (less peg-doll like!).

Also - I like what it did to my face! It meant I get outside much more, so in the summer I get whey more freckles and in the winter, it makes my cheeks look healthier :) just make sure you have plenty of moisturiser!

Most importantly though - I found some really beautiful areas close to where I live. I don't run for speed, - instead, I explore whilst pottering-along (with a couple of spare layers on me in case I get chilly whilst going so slowly!)

I think it depends on your age?

I took up running in my early '50s a couple of years ago there have been no great changes to my physical shape - you need to run an awful lot to actually lose weight as it doesn't burn as many calories as you think.

But the benefits to my mental health and general physical wellbeing have been immense!

I did C25K and then park runs and regular 3 - 4 mile runs for a couple of years. No significant change to my body, but it did help my mental health. I felt overall much more cheerful, perhaps because I was DOING something. I also found it easier to eat more healthily. I've stopped as I walk the dog now, but do miss my running days, esp in summer. Winter not so much.

So I'd say run, the C25K is excellent, but don't expect the perfect body after a couple of months.

(tbh, I'm now like to think of my self as a miniature Attenborough... I know where the deer and owls are likely to be, what time the geese come in at night and I'm sure I've befriended a squirrel...) ...just thinking, maybe next year, I should actually try and run a run without randomly stopping in the middle of it to look at something... or not...

Well, I have lost just over 4 stone since I started running. Gone from a size 20/22 to a 12/14. Could still do with losing another stone tbh. But it has done so much more than that for me. I feel so, so much better both physically and mentally I can't begin to tell you. I'm training for my first full marathon next year.

I started running in late October after I got pissed and put my name down for the London Marathon and got a ballot place ffs. Between then and now I've run two half marathons. Still 3 stone overweight, fat and wobbly. Running makes me hungry and boy can I eat.

helped me lose a lot of weight, but my knees, hips and pelvic floor were affected by it, so I stick to lower impact exercises now. Shame as I really enjoyed outdoor running

Thing is I can get up any morning I choose and just run 40k+ out of the gate. Doesn’t matter what I look like. I am one bad ass bitch and that is what I carry around all day- Far more valuable than thin thighs , believe me.

How long did that take @marvelousways ? And did you overhaul your diet too?

Can’t say I’ve noticed a huge difference, but DH has made many complimentary remarks about my runners bum

I don’t know about it being bad for your face either - the improvement to my mental health shows on my face massively. I look 10 years younger. And I feel so much happier... my running face is a happy face!

I have found that going for long runs (10k +) helps me keep weight off but shorter ones don't particularly, even if I run the same distances per week over more runs. I usually do two 10ks a week and have lost a stone.

I've tried jogging/running and I just cannot do it. I get out of breath so quickly and it hurts and burns my throat! I don't smoke, never have, and I'm a size 10 and do at least 5 miles walking a day during school run days! I just have so much excess weight though, especially in my legs (I'm very short 5'2)

I think maybe ditching the wine might be my best option

I look pretty much the same, mainly because I really like cake

I second this poster's sentiment

For me the biggest aid towards losing weight/toning up is that if I run, I'm happier and feel healthier so make healthier food choices. If I slob about I will - happily - munch on cake and chocolate and sweets all evening. So I do tend to look better if I'm running regularly but probably more to do with how it affects me and my food choices! Also I struggle with shin splints so it can't be my main form of exercise (at least at the moment).

If you want to change your arse, running won’t do it. It’s a great exercise, but you need to lift to shape muscles.

@myfuckingfreezer 18 months. I have treid to eat generally better , cut down on the amount of crap, increased fruit/veg etc but haven't dieted as such. I still have cake/biscuits/chocolate/wine etc!

I've tried jogging/running and I just cannot do it. I get out of breath so quickly and it hurts and burns my throat

I started running 12yrs ago and run a lot. The first 1-2k always feels tough. The leap in heart rate and breathing is hard and feels unsustainable but slow down and just keep going and you'll find your body sort of catches up to itself.

Running does nothing to my figure really but I'm a slim size 8 anyway. If I want real change, I lift heavier and do more pull ups.

I didn’t lose any weight when I started running, that only happened when I began calorie counting too. And yes, marathon training often makes you put on weight...watch out for ‘I ran today so I can eat...’

It solidified my fat legs

Gave me jowls and aching knees, spinning is loads better in my opinion

It hasn't changed my body at all (I already did a reasonable amount swimming and aerobics) but it has done wonders for my mental health.

I found the biggest changes in my thighs and bum, which definitely firmed up. Am quite happy to wear a short skirt.

My tum doesn't look that different to me. But other people have said I look thinner. I actually have not lost any weight at all, but I do seem to be less bloaty looking.

For bum try yoga. Mine was creeping down my thighs. All flat and flabby. It's now all muscled and pert and distinct from my thighs! That's after 8 weeks of 3 sessions a week of vinyasa flow. Hardcore, and a large amount of lunge type movements. Obv changed other parts too, like my thighs and abs.

Weight loss is 80% what you eat and 20% exercise. Give running a go and if you enjoy it then that’s great but if not try something else. Walking does everything running does but just takes longer. Great for your heart, mind, legs and weight.