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Original poster

I have fallen out with running what can I do instead to get the same results?

38 replies

Lucaslucas1612 · 01/04/2021 10:09

I started running three years ago after an intensive time as a SAHM. It was finally some freedom and something for myself. After not even owning a pair of trainers I really enjoyed it and gradually got up to running 10k three times a week. It was an effort and I was up and down with it having periods of running 3/4 times a week to long periods off (the school holidays when it was hard to fit in a run). I am not a natural runner and would have to make myself but loved the results. I went from a 12 to a size 8 and look and felt more toned.

I managed to run through the first lockdown three times a week and was doing 6/7k. Working my way up to 10k again. However, since last summer I have really fallen out with it. I am struggling to even do 3k and just can't get back into it. I am not pushing myself anymore and will just walk when I feel tired instead of carrying on. I am questioning why I am trying to force myself to do something I don't like. I think I am struggling because I used to do HIT training twice a week which I really enjoyed and I really noticed the difference in my fitness. However, I haven't done that for over a year as the gyms have been shut.

However, as a result I have put on 1.5 stone since then and I am not happy with my weight. I know running is the best and quickest way to loose weight and tone. But I am just not motivated to do it anymore. What can I do instead which gets the same results? I know I won't bother doing a class at home- I won't push myself. I want to loose this extra weight without having to run. I have started with a PT but this is weights and strength work to help tone and get stronger but that's because I said I wanted to get better at my running but now I am not even running so is that pointless?

I ve got myself in a middle with what's best to do. Help?

OP posts:

Doona · 01/04/2021 10:12

Swimming and cycling and then you can do triathlons?

theotherfossilsister · 01/04/2021 10:13

A poster on a weight loss thread here recommended wild swimming? Think there's also a thread about it somewhere. I'm going to try it tomorrow. With lots of big towels and my yeti dressing gown.

Good luck x

yeOldeTrout · 01/04/2021 10:18

You need to explain what you liked about running so others can understand what appeals to you.

endorphin high?
being outdoors?
Listening to your music?
Do you mind getting muddy?
Was it meditative?
Do you Strava, find ways to be competitive?
Since you still mention HIIT favourably I'm guessing you like indoors, music, groups. Correct?

Boopear · 01/04/2021 10:24

Do you have park bootcamp things near you? I see a lot have started up again and they are generally really good, both in terms of motivation and also the range of exercise they cover. They usually cover cardio and body weight resistance exercises, which is a good range. TBH while running is good (I think it is the best for mental health), having a wider range of cardio, strength and flex training would work better all round anyway as a mixed fitness programme. You also may find the running mojo comes back anyway when you are working across a wider range of exercise types..

(I would also advise Les Mills as they have a great range of really high quality exercises inc HIIT but that would need home based self motivation!)

Original poster

Lucaslucas1612 · 01/04/2021 10:38

@yeOldeTrout

You need to explain what you liked about running so others can understand what appeals to you.

I think I liked the atmosphere with HIT with the music and the instructor pushing you to go further. I liked the short fast bursts and being next to someone going slightly faster than me did motivate me to go faster. I did push myself as it was short.

With running initially it was just doing something for myself and having freedom. Listening to music and having time alone. When I started to see results it was to loose more weight and I felt good about myself. I enjoyed the feeling of beating my previous record and felt good afterwards even though a lot of time it bloody hurt whilst doing it. I can be very determined so once I decided to loose weight and get fit I did and 10k was my aim. I just don't have that motivation anymore. I can't seem to get it back.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lucaslucas1612 · 01/04/2021 10:39

Now it makes me feel rubbish because I seem to be so rubbish at it.

OP posts:

FrangipaniBlue · 01/04/2021 10:46

Swimming.

An hour in the pool twice a week (proper exertion, front crawl style) and the weight falls off me at the same rate as running for an hour twice a week.

actiongirl1978 · 01/04/2021 10:49

I do PMA fitness workouts on YouTube or joe wicks if I'm feeling lazy.

But I have enough equipment and have been doing hiit for long enough that I can put an interval timer on my phone and play Spotify while I do my moves in the garage.

Would this be an option? I do my hiit first thing before the kids are awake and in the garage so the dogs don't climb on me!

FrangipaniBlue · 01/04/2021 10:49

Someone has suggested wild swimming but if you just go and do the "bob about frog" like a lot of the wild swimmers seem to do on social media, other than the cold water endorphin high it will make zero difference to your fitness or weight loss.

To lose weight swimming you need to be doing distance and pace - which you can do in open water but not straight away, you need to build up gradually as it's still quite cold at the minute!

Boopear · 01/04/2021 10:50

Would it feel better if you felt that other exercises would make you better at running? I've been where you are with running (several times actually) - once I stopped beating myself up about the running rubbishness and started concentrating on other types of exercises, not only did the running actually get physically easier as I was a lot fitter but the mental kicking stopped as well, as running was no longer the be all & end all.

yeOldeTrout · 01/04/2021 10:56

Zwift? Or Spinning.

Swimming will probably bore you senseless, it's a very solitary thing to do. When it's sociable, it's not rigorous. Unless you're training for the Channel, maybe. And the listening-to-music systems are rubbish.

Some type of outdoor circuit training type class or a running club that does focused training sessions (like intervals) might suit you, too.

SummerHouse · 01/04/2021 10:58

I think you need to fall in love with running again. It worked for you. It's so convenient. Totally reset. Go out for a run just to enjoy it. Don't set a target and forget about time. Go somewhere green if you can. Listen to music. Walk / run if you need to. Throw in some splits if you can. However much you don't want to go out for a run, you will be TWICE as glad you did. I do yoga after and that makes it for me. Can be five mins or an hour on an app I have (pocket yoga) but it just makes me grateful to run. Hope you find your thing.

Original poster

Lucaslucas1612 · 01/04/2021 11:19

@Boopear

Yes, you're totally right. I think I have a fixation on the running and having to do cardio. I think because it was the way I lost so much weight pretty quickly. I think I need to change my attitude that it's the only way to get the same results. I guess I am worried if I stop running I will continue to put on more weight. If I had a bad day food wise I could do a 10k and run it off. I think if I have a break from running and get my fitness back other ways I might come back to it when it all feels a bit easier.

Swimming could be good. I do enjoy it. I haven't got much technique with front crawl so would have to work on that.

I ve also looked into BMF training outside. I equivalent of what I was doing at the gym. Will that be as good as running though? I just think running is the best.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lucaslucas1612 · 01/04/2021 11:22

@SummerHouse

I tried that this morning and just ended up feeling sick and walking. That's what made me post. I just felt so rubbish afterwards and did nothing really.

OP posts:

nbee84 · 01/04/2021 12:04

I injured my knee last September which has stopped me running since. The only thing that has matched the endorphin high, calorie burn and sense of achievement for me is spinning. I use the Les Mills and the Peloton apps. I love the structure from the classes, the chance to really push hard to see what I can achieve and the music really motivates me.

MsMartini · 01/04/2021 13:04

I agree about mixed fitness, and there is so much that works, no-one need to things they hate. Strength training is good for weight loss, so is brisk walking, so are bootcamps. And all those will set you up for returning to running if and when you want to. As you know, much is diet anyway and the best exercise is one you enjoy and will do regularly and push yourself at. I do calisthenics, running, an outdoor bootcamp, some Les Mills, Pilates, loads of walking......enjoy it all and it changes depending on weather, covid rules etc. Don't stick to one thing especially something you don't enjoy! Turn it round - start with the thing you enjoy most and build on that .

CovidCorvid · 01/04/2021 13:07

I think cycling. I’ve moved from running to cycling and enjoy the freedom, time to myself, fresh air, scenery, listen to music or a podcast.

Good for calorie burning.

BogRollBOGOF · 01/04/2021 13:18

My running mojo ebbs and flows, there's normally a mid-winter and mid-summer lull.
I'm normally motivated by races so the past year has been tough in that department. Some trail races are operating again and optomism is good for the summer/ autumn.

Strategies for getting out of a slump:
Ban it! Take the duty out for a set period of a few weeks.
Back to basics. I went back to C25k last August having done a HM 5 months earlier, but it had become a slog and going right back to the begining and that tick list attitude boosted my confidence by the longer runs.
Mix it up. Do a seasonal bingo card of things to spot, distances, environments. I did this in autumn.
Run with a friend.

Just don't try immediately doing your 3x 10k in a hurry and feel pants about it. Life's been tough and sometimes the other routines need to adjust.

I do outdoor classes. I did them anyway but they've been great for being more Covid-resistant than other activities.

A sports massage may also help. They're avaliable from the 12th (in England) Again, the changes in the past year have affected posture, movement and tension.

HelenHywater · 01/04/2021 13:46

I'm similar OP, just CBA with running but it has the best results for me

I'm trying the run/walk method which I read about on here, but the other thing that gives a similar high for me, plus helps me maintain weight loss is ashtanga or vinyasa yoga. I have to do it in a class though or I just loll around on a mat.

Mxflamingnoravera · 01/04/2021 13:49

Swimming is very calming and meditative, pools are due to open in two weeks. It's right that you need to do proper swimming, crawl really, but it feels amazing, it tones everything and feels like you're flying!

fellrunner85 · 01/04/2021 14:32

You're right when you say running is the best way to lose weight and tone - it really is. Which is why it's hard when you fall out of love with it, as nothing else has the same payoff for relatively short amounts of activity.

In my experience (mainly when I've been injured and not been able to run!) the thing that comes closest is spinning - as long as you really push yourself.
Cycling itself is also good training, but the problem IME is that you need to be out a lot longer on the bike to have the same effect as a relatively short run, so it's harder to fit in around work, kids, and so on. It's also easy to "cheat" on the bike and just coast along if you're not feeling it, whereas it's harder to do that while running.

As pps have said, maybe signing up to a race will help you get out of your running slump? An autumn half marathon would be very doable, with six months of training to go ..

SylHellais · 01/04/2021 15:12

This is really interesting to read. I started C25K at the beginning of the year, having previously really enjoyed running, but this time, it was such a struggle. I got to about week 5 and every time I ran, I was getting SO tired and having to stop and walk instead of running. It was making me more and more demoralised so I was dreading going out and now I’ve stopped.

It’s difficult because I know I need more exercise but I’m struggling to know what to do.

Moonface123 · 01/04/2021 15:18

Same happened to me, l used to enjoy running, but then l just kind of stopped wanting to do it. With me l think it was more my age, my energy levels felt low and l started feeling a bit off the next day after a run. Now l walk and cycle and try and do some pilates and yoga. I am 52, in good health and slim. But l listen to my body more now.

BurbageBrook · 01/04/2021 15:21

I love weight training. Tones you up like nothing else.

Astridium · 01/04/2021 15:27

Swimming is best for me, 3 hours a week, 9km or so. If I try and do 3 hours of running over the course of a week I end up injured. Hate every minute of running too whereas I find swimming like meditation. So pleased the pools are going to be open again soon.

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