What has running done for you?

[JohnnyEnglish]

Last year I started running and alongside calorie counting lost 2.5 stone. I’ve put half a stone back on coinciding with a tough period at work. I really enjoyed running and eating well and need motivation to stick to it and get down to goal weight (a stone to lose). So wonderful MNetters tell me what running has done for you and inspire me please.

Anyone?

I love running. I’m not sure running alone helps me lose weight (you can’t outrun a bad diet etc). But it gets me out of the house in the after work/pre-dinner period which is when I am most prone to snacking.

It also helps me feel positive about my body. Running reminds me that my body is strong and capable, not just a pile of flabby excess weight.

@TheUndoingProject thanks so much for sharing your thoughts

Toned legs and bum but don't think it helps that much with weight loss.

I started 15 years ago when dd2 started playgroup just to do something for myself.
It was a tough slog to get started but I gradually built up distance.
In the first 18 months I gradually went from a size 16 to size 10.
It also really helped me to focus on eating healthily, I didn't want all the junk as I knew I wouldn't run well afterwards.
I started doing 10ks & half marathons & really enjoyed planning my training & seeing the results.
Setting off on a run with some good music was a brilliant chance to switch off & focus on myself. A chance to ponder any problems & to build a sense of achievement away from dc.
It honestly bought nothing but good into my life.

@TheghostofAuntieMabel yes you’re right my legs and butt are all the better for running. I managed a short 5.5km this morning and feel so much more ready for the day, full of energy and focus.

@TopTabby your post was lovely to read and you’re right it’s so good for so many reasons. I’m determined to get back to my three runs a week and definitely feel better when I’m steering clear of the biscuit tin

I’ve started running again recently after quite a long hiatus. I used to run lots of races, including marathons, and I got a bit too caught up in trying to improve my times, so much so that it just wasn’t enjoyable anymore. It became more like a chore than a hobby!

Six years on and two kids later, I’m really enjoying my gentle plods around the park in the sunshine! I get some banging tunes on and just run for pure enjoyment. Its glorious! My fitness is coming back and sometimes you just feel like you’re flying It’s amazing stress relief for me as well. I am predisposed to grumpiness, and it seems to help with that. I’m planning to keep doing it for as long as I enjoy it, which probably means it’ll tail off a bit come winter!

There's a running saying 'You can't outrun a bad diet' and that has definitely been my experience over the past year of running + eating crap! So get back to running and healthy eating and I'm sure you'll see the results you want + you'll be fighting fit!

Running is faster than walking for exercise and burns more calories. I have to walk briskly for 45 mins to burn 150 calories. However, if l run for 20 mins and walk for 10 mins (warm up& cool down) I burn about 350 calories.

I am 49 years old 5 ft 4, need little calories. If I don't burn a reasonable amount each day, then I have to eat carefuly in order to maintain weight of 11 stone. You read right, 'maintain, 'not even lose. I am that annoying person who won't have a slice of cake when I am out, as it is very hard to lose weight.

Also, running has firmed up my tummy, so I can fit into my clothes. Walking alone won't tone me, and I still look a bit large and wide if I do only walking.

Running relaxes me in a way that walking doesn't. As I said, running is a great exercise if you are short on time, and don't have loads of childcare. You can run out the door at home and are back in 30 mins having exercised. It is easier to get dcs minded for 30 mins than for an evening at the gym.

It made me lose weight, but it did my hip and knee in and was pretty bad for my prolapse

Thanks everyone. Great to read the responses.

I started running about 12 years ago when some weight had crept on without me noticing. I lost it all again but loved running so much I kept at it. I’ll never be a sprinter but can plod forever! I completed three marathons, loads of half’s and 10ks and 5ks.
Then I had kids and it all went to pot
I went out for my first run in months yesterday morning and I loved it...the conditions were perfect, I ran 4 miles and felt like I could kept going and was in a brilliant mood all day. Also weighed in 0.8kg lighter this morning so that has inspired me to try to get back to three runs a week. It’s just so much easier with the light mornings and spring weather. It does wonders for my mental health.

I used to do a lot of running and it never made me lose weight. I don’t think that’s ever a good goal for it as it’s destined to disappoint.

But what it does do is just good for health in general, it relieves stress, it builds confidence because you work up to doing things you never though you could achieve - I never in a million years thought I’d be able to do a marathon, but I did many, and most importantly it connects you deeply with your body. You learn a respect for your body and start realising that you don’t want to abuse this wonderful machine with shit food and booze, you want to tend and care for it and maximise its potential.

It did wonders for me - helped cure my awful post-natal anxiety, improved my strength and stability, sorted out my weak ankles, helped me lose weight, gave me confidence that I could take up something new and challenging and actually stick to it, got me into the running community a bit through Parkrun and just generally made me feel fitter and more energetic. I had a long hiatus due to plantar fasciitis and other niggles, but I'm tentatively back at it now.

@GrandPrismatic @hamstersarse @lazylinguist wow. This was exactly what I was looking for. The benefits and the fact that like you all if I put my mind to it I can do it. I ran yesterday and hoping to run again tomorrow. It does make me stay away from the biscuits and think about what I’m eating. Keep up the running!

Good for you OP. I didn't answer your question when I replied before - running has saved my sanity this past year. If I hadn't had that time to just bugger off out on my own with my headphones on to run I know I'd have been a basket case. When I was feeling trapped, angry, fed up, frustrated, miserable - I ran - and I came back feeling much better. Even if a run is tough, I never regret going out. Even if it's raining, or snowing, or windy or boiling hot I've never regretted going for a run, even if at the time I think 'Well this is bollocks!'. I love the way running helps your mental, as well as physical, health.

@zafferana you’re so right. You never regret a run. Which is what I was telling myself as forced myself out on 8.5km run this morning. Was slow. Definitely feel better for it. Was looking at how slowly I ran on my tracker and realised that up until December I was consistently running three times a week. January a bit less and then February and March down to once a week on average. Not surprising I’ve put on some weight and am not seeing as many benefits. Determined to get back to 3 times a week.

Great for fitness , nice legs and toned bum. Terrible for weight loss
I gained weight because running made me ravenous

The mental health benefits are huge and would be worth it for that alone. I really enjoy runs with my running club and discovering beautiful places; last night we had a club run through a bluebell wood which was amazing. The health benefits are huge even if you don't lose weight (I recommend the book Exercised which talks about why we need to exercise but find it difficult). I have managed to lose about 4kg over the last 9 months while building up muscle mass and generally love feeling faster and stronger.

Can i just reiterate the pelvic floor comment. I think a lot of women post childbirth dont realise that certain exercises are really bad for it, such as weights,crossfit and running. I wish id known

I've only been running for 6 months and I feel fitter but I haven't lost any weight or toned up - for those who have, how long did it take?

I started running more (up from 3x 3miles a week to 4-5 times a week covering about 18 miles in total) early 2020 to lose weight. I watched calories too.

I went from 11st to 9.5st and it took maybe 7 months. I'm 48 and 5ft6.

I'm maintaining now by running, and have stopped calorie counting.

The main benefit though has been getting away from the laptop screen, and getting some headspace. Work has been hideous & lockdowns increased the intensity, so it has been a sanity saver.

My feet look like shit though. Callouses aplenty.

Stopped me committing murder.

Running gives me headspace. Mental clarity - often by the time I’ve finished a run I’ve sorted stuff out in my head and calmed the noise.

I started running a year ago and have loved seeing the seasons change. The nature is beautiful, and fresh air and sunshine even better.

I now have no cellulite on my legs or bum.

I have stopped looking at my legs as short, stubby, unattractive things that have saddlebags and visible veins - instead I try to see them as amazing pieces of machinery that can help me run a half marathon. I’m not particularly speedy but they are strong and toned and they WORK.