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

[Lucaslucas1612]

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?

Get a private lesson or two to get your breathing right for front crawl and you will find it easier, i find it great for zoning out and getting a great workout. Fast breaststroke is good too, but much harder to master, however backstroke is easy and also a great workout - you just need a quiet pool though as it’s hard when lanes are busy!

@fellrunner85

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 ..

Yes very true. I used to have an hour to do 10k as but now I don't so 30 mins running is easy to fit in and seems like a good amount of exercise when I am not really feeling it. I agree, cycling would probably take a lot longer and I don't have that much time.

My concern about stopping running is how much harder it will be to loose this extra weight though. It was a quick fix and the weight dropped off when I was running 30k a week. But I just hate it right now.

I tried spin once and didn't get on with it as didn't have a clue what was going on- all that changing numbers! I will look
Into Les mills as I know lots of people who do it. Hoping to get my mojo back when the gym reopens. I love blaze and work hard at it. I am hoping if I get fit in other areas I can go back to running again when I feel fitter.

Do you think it's worth keeping with the PT? It's expensive for weight and strength training because I want to run better- but I am not even running anyway. But at the same time I booked it because it means i have to go and if will make me continue during the holidays plus it's the kind of thing I don't bother doing otherwise but should. Or should I save my money and do BMF instead?

It's not just my fitness either my motivation has totally gone. Previously if I got tired I would put my favourite song on and keep going, I found myself going faster for longer and 10k became pretty easy. Now if I am tired I just stop. I am not motivated to push myself or make myself go further.

A rebounder changed my exercise life - I play music and jump, jog or bounce for a while a few times a day, and because its fun it helped me get past the "exercise makes me feel sick" stage and build up some solid muscle. I always recommend them now after someone here suggested them to me!

Your PT will be able to change up your exercise programme if you say you are dropping running and want different cardio

Could you do some runs as HIIT in themselves? So sprint 30s walk 30s or whatever time split you fancy

Can you ask your PT to give you more cardio based workouts? Throw some hiit and cardio in to mix it up with the weights?

I’ve done the same with running before (I couldn’t run as much as you anyway!) but I’ve recently gone started c25k after not being able to run at all, I’ve had to totally change my mindset to think about it in minutes not metres and go really slow to get my pace going. Once it clicked into place it’s been ok and I’m getting there!

You could always try the Les Mills on line and see how you get on with it? They do a free trial. There are a great range of classes from 20mins to 55 and you can do them when you like. IMHO Body Attack gives the nearest thing to a running buzz (it feels old school aerobics but there are plyometrics tracks which are evil but great fun!). They also have Grit which is their version of HIIT - don't start with that though, you may throw up! Body Combat also great fun - not as much impact/heart rate impact as Attack but you'll feel like a superhero! If you get into it (or need a bit of direction) there are programmes you can follow.

As above, spin is also great for a buzz especially if you want low impact high heart rate cardio but it's not for all. You also need a spin bike, which ain't cheap if you can't get to a gym!

Best of luck.

There is a friendly Les Mills thread - come and join us! I'd do that for cardio and/or do an outdoor bootcamp, if I really didn't want to run. My bootcamp includes a bit of running (just a few minutes), leg and upper body strength and HIIT.

I'm a big fan of strength training for women but you need to do it right; money well spent I think. I'd pay for that rather than someone watching me do some cardio.

I lost several stone in weight a few years back and have kept it off/lost a tiny bit more since. Most came off with brisk walking and being careful what I ate. I agree running is very effective but sitting on the sofa worrying about not running isn't - so I would try to find something you enjoy and are motivated to do.

I’ve been through the same OP, very regular runner for the past few years but since before Christmas I have developed a huge aversion to it, I felt so guilty not doing it and was mentally beating myself up. I think my guilt was exacerbated by the fact that running seems to touted as the be all and end all of exercise and that anything else is inferior, anyway I decided to completely change my exercise routine to Zwift, Bodyfit by Amy workouts and strength training and I feel so much better, now I have got out of the mindset that running is the only thing worth doing (it isn’t I have discovered) I now go for a run maybe once a week because I feel like it and not because I feel I have to, the pressure is off because my fitness is probably better now and I think I’m in better shape as I am constantly doing different things and challenging my body. I have also very recently introduced walking into my routine (another exercise I thought was pointless) I walked one of my running routes, burned the same amount of calories as a run it just took longer, and was very surprised that the next day that I could really feel it in my thighs so definitely worth it.

Stick music on, or follow home cycling clips on YouTube, and get on exercise bike?

I do this alongside free weights at home and I'm so much fitter than I was before lockdown

What about skipping? Lots of different footwork and tricks to do so it doesn't get boring and I find that helps with motivation as there is always something new to learn or improve on. I started as it was an easy, convenient exercise but I absolutely love it now. Lots of inspiration on Instagram, people that do tutorials etc, have a look at lauren.jumps, she is amazing, and skippingwithsarah has got lots of tips for beginners, there are loads more on there though!

Maybe it's something competitive you need, could you join a running club? Track running? Maybe find others locally so you'd be pushed and have that commitment.

Otherwise I'd second strength training, get a few PT sessions see what you could squat, deadlift or bench press? Then like running you'd have numbers and targets, plus you'd loose weight and tone up.

The more muscle you have the more fat you burn!

I've had to give up running because of a hip problem so have bought a smart bike and I'm loving it.

Don't know yet if it'll replace running for me but I cannot ever run again so it's got to work.

Am also doing online yoga (Down Dog) and hope to go swimming once pools reopen.

Running isn't the be all and end all - it does nothing for your core, for example, so I am trying to be positive and think that my all round fitness/strength will improve.