Will doing 2 or 3 20min runs a week make a difference?

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Would going for 2-3 20 minute runs each week make a difference to losing weight/fitness?

It doesn’t seem like much but with kids, work and no outside childcare it will be all I can fit in
Wondering if it’s worth trying

I’ve never run before

It never hurts to get fitter. So there’ll be all sorts of benefits.

But you can’t out-train a bad diet.

Get yourself over to the Exercise topic and join in with the beginner running threads. Lots of lovely people and great advice!

Thank you, I don’t even realise we had an exercise section

You won't lose weight but as pp said, any improvement in fitness will help your overall health.

Yes to health and fitness. No to weight loss.

Hi yes it is definitely worth doing, and as your kids get older, you will be able to go for longer.
There are also lots of apps that give intense workouts that you can do at home in under 10 mins, could be worth trying to fit in one or two of these every day? For example 8fit, which has some free sessions. There are probably also some pilates or yoga ones.
Good luck!

It'll do sod all for weight loss, but you will feel so much better for it - your fitness, physical health and mental wellbeing will all improve

On it's own without any calorie restrictions it might not make a huge difference but each 20 min run will burn off about 160 calories. If your current eating intake equals the exact calories you need to maintain your current weight and you make no changes, 3x20 min runs per week would be a 480 calorie per week deficit which is approximately 67g so you would have to keep it up for 20 weeks to lose 3lb (but only if you don't regularly decide you can have a little treat because you did a run today which would undo it all)

If you make it 3x 20 min HIIT workouts that might be better as that would burn calories more intensely?

I disagree at least when you first start. When i started running that was all i could fit in and i did lose weight and toned up. Now i also mix it up with home workouts but at the moment i much prefer a quick run just to get me out the house!

I still exclusive breastfeeding so can’t fully diet as such but I eat healthily and the right amount

I just need a boost to my metabolism a bit as lockdown has left me more stationary than normal

I kind of disagree with the other posters. I took up running this time last year. Until the summer I was only doing 20min runs (2 miles) and I did lose weight from it. I did make little diet changes to but the running definitely burned calories to. In the winter months I ate so so much, I upped my runs to 30mins and I havent put weight on, I definitely should have by how much cake I've been eating. So while I dont think running alone will drop loads and loads of weight it does help and is better than nothing and if you're breastfeeding slow weightless is best

If you can manage (in terms of space/time alone without being disturbed), you’d be better off doing a HIIT workout. They’re short, sharp and intense but brilliant for weight loss and toning. Their calorie burn vs time spent exercising is much better value than running, however if it’s tricky then just run! You’ll definitely notice some difference!

For me, if I have gone to the effort to take some exercise, then I am less likely to tuck into the biscuits than if I had just slobbed around at home all day.

So it isn't just about the calories used on the run.

But, this might just be me!

Healthier yes but not for weight loss.

I used to do this, and while it didn't lead to weight loss I did look more toned. The best thing though was feeling fitter - being able to run for a bus without getting puffed was amazing!

I intend to go back to it when the weather warms up.

Good for the heart. Do it.

To lose weight you need a calorie deficit between calories in and calories out, but while you are exclusively breastfeeding it is really important not to have much of a calorie deficit, to ensure your milk has peak nutritional content. Until your little one weans, don't worry about your weight too much. Eat healthily but don't diet. By all means do those 20 min runs to get into the habit, you will feel better for it and your heart health will improve.

Once you don't have to worry about milk supply any more you may well be able to up the exercise a few notches as your balance of time available changes, and can also get serious about reducing your eating. But leave it for now, you have other much more important priorities.

Yes it will and yes you will lose weight. I have always run my whole life and average around fifty miles a week.

However I was injured at the end of 2019 and couldn't run for six weeks. I def put on some weight as a result.

I am now building back my running slowly and have started off doing 3 times 20 min runs a week as you say.

I have done this for three weeks now and without changing anything else have lost five pounds and got a six pack. So yes, I think it will change your weight.

I run twice a week for 25 - 30 minutes and it makes a massive difference. My stomach is flatter and my legs and bum are firm. I haven't really lost weight though.

Less food is really the only way to do that. Exercise has very little impact on weight loss.

I find it much easier to lose weight if I’m running and if you’re going to 3x20 a week from nothing it should help, but diet is still the main factor. So if I’m being careful with what I eat and running, I lose weight more easily than diet alone. If I’m running regularly I find it “mops up” treats and I don’t have to be too careful with diet to maintain a healthy weight. Unfortunately I’ve been injured for ages and can’t run enough to make a difference, so it’s all about diet at the moment

I've lost 3 stone running for 25 mins 3 times a week. I heard so many people say "you have to run for 30 for any affect" or "running the same route will do nothing for your body." It's better than nothing! When you get more in the swing of running, you can try to beat your distance in that time. Working harder will give more results!

Some rubbish & discouraging advice on here. Why on earth won’t it help with weight loss?! Start slowly at first (couch to 5K is great - you can adapt it to 20 mins). When you can run 20 mins without stopping you need to work on running fast & involving hills which will maximise the benefits.

I walk for twenty minutes a day (and not that fast). I have lost weight and got a little bit fitter.

Yes. For health.

It improves your cardiovascular system.

It cleans your blood.

It helps your body use insulin properly and reduces the chance of developing diabetes.

So many health benefits, little and often, I'd say and about perfect to improve overall health.

I used to do this.

I did the Couch to 5k and then carried on running ( very slowly) 30 - 50 mins three or four times a week. With warm up/ cool down walk that could mean up to an hour out of the house.

I toned up, so clothes fitted far better, and I could eat anything and not lose weight.

One of the best things was getting changed into running gear in winter, putting a chicken and chopped root vegetables into the oven to roast, then going out on a run. Opening the door to the smell of a roast dinner!!

Then chicken out of the oven to rest, gas on under sprouts or broccoli, quick shower and sit down to a feast.

Why did I stop running?!?

Not GAIN weight, obviously...