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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

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Original poster

Did running help you lose weight?

55 replies

LittleMG · 02/03/2023 21:39

I’ve started running 3 weeks ago and am doing much better, I’ve been following a couch to 5k type thing.
Also watching what I’m eating, have lost a stone of baby weight already but 2 more to go 😵‍💫 did anyone find running really helped. I’m getting fitter (slowly) but I want to be thinner!!!

OP posts:

Newjobformoremoney · 02/03/2023 21:41

Yes! I had to stop because of an injury but I started again yesterday as I found it the quickest way to loose weight.

pastypirate · 02/03/2023 21:41

It made me really skinny before I had kids but not after. Post dd1 all it did was make my leg muscles bigger

museumum · 02/03/2023 21:42

Not for me. For me the saying “you can’t outrun a bad diet” is the truest thing ever.
having said that, running makes me strong both mentally and physically and I love it.

SlipperyLizard · 02/03/2023 21:44

Only when I was running around 26 miles a week, that’s the point at which I could outrun my poor diet! Trying to build back up to those levels now (currently on around 10 miles a week).

Each mile traveled (run or walk) burns about 100 calories for an average woman, so 5k is about 300 calories if that helps.

ZebraKid71 · 02/03/2023 21:55

Yes, but only at quite a high mileage, a few jobs round the block a week wouldn't cut it.

I also have to be careful to have food prepped for after cause it makes me so hungry!

Original poster

LittleMG · 02/03/2023 22:03

My diet isn’t so bad atm I’m following a healthy eating plan. But I’m amazed by how much you all run. I did 1.5 miles today, 4 mins running 1 min walking etc I was shattered at the end. But tbf when I began I couldn’t jog for 4 mins at all. I want to do more but at the moment I’m so unfit it’s a bit frustrating.

OP posts:

Fromwetome · 02/03/2023 22:22

For people who are replying (hope you don't mind me gegging in here OP)

But does knee pain go away the fitter and more resilient you get with running? I used to long distance run in my glory days but now my knees scream when I try to run/fast jog.

Currently I am slow jogging and it's tolerable...

Secondtimesally · 02/03/2023 22:28

Even when I was running 5k 3 times a week I never lost any weight 😐
BUT it did really help my mental health especially during the pandemic. If it wasn’t for the covid wine and chocolate biscuits I might have had a chance!

SingaporeSlinky · 02/03/2023 22:28

1.5 miles really won’t have burned many calories unfortunately. It’ll be the diet that’ll help you more. Exercise is great, but most people say weight loss is 80% diet, 20% exercise.

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/03/2023 22:29

I lost a lot of weight just walking. Running is bound to be quicker 😃

Lottapianos · 02/03/2023 22:30

'For me the saying “you can’t outrun a bad diet” is the truest thing ever.'

Definitely agree

That said, there are so many other benefits to running. Stick with it OP 👍

PatientlyWaiting21 · 02/03/2023 22:32

Yes it does, but you also need to be in a calorie deficit.

Pollywoddles · 02/03/2023 22:33

Running actually doesn’t burn that many calories, certainly not as many as your apps or fitness trackers tell you it does.

Losing weight is predominantly based on what you eat. You’d probably benefit from some weight sessions in conjunction with the running, it will tone you more than running and is good for your bone health.

Shopgirl1 · 02/03/2023 22:37

I run about 25km a week currently, and it keeps me fit and slim as long as I am sensible with food. I’ve gone through periods in the past running a lot more, 50 to 60km a week - I could eat anything then and was slimmer than I am now.

grafittiartist · 02/03/2023 22:38

Nope- sorry.
I actually gained weight a few times when training for a marathon and a half marathon!
But- it does allow me to pretty much eat what I like, and not think about it too much.

I do think it also improves mental health and being in tune with your body- a bit of body respect! Which is good for weight management.

1980sfookup · 02/03/2023 22:39

I don't like the actual running but I like the way it makes me feel IYSWIM. ILL I'll do a 5k 2x week and then swim once and a couple of circuit classes. But it's the diet you need to focus on if you want to lose weight. Some weeks I eat very very unhealthily - I won't gain weight as I burn it off - but that's my quid pro quo.

baxterstockman · 02/03/2023 22:39

I don't lose weight through running either. I only run about 15k a week though, as well as doing some gym classes and playing tennis. But my fitness is so much better from running and it makes me feel great afterwards. Stick with it and eat fewer carbs!

HamstersAreMyLife · 02/03/2023 22:41

Fromwetome · 02/03/2023 22:22

For people who are replying (hope you don't mind me gegging in here OP)

But does knee pain go away the fitter and more resilient you get with running? I used to long distance run in my glory days but now my knees scream when I try to run/fast jog.

Currently I am slow jogging and it's tolerable...

In my experience it won't get better. I used to run lots and was recommended to stop after knee pain. I've restarted a couple of times and sooner or later find my knee playing up and I have to stop. I suppose it might depend on the issue but it doesn't feel worth the risk of causing significant damage to me. It also affects all my movement for a week or so which is really limiting and for me not worth it.

fellrunner85 · 02/03/2023 22:51

Yes, running made me lose a lot of weight and keep it off. With the mileage I run now, I can eat pretty much whatever I like.

And of course you can outrun a "bad" diet; you just have to run a lot. And it depends on what your definition of a bad diet is of course... though as I burn 1500 to 2000 calories on my long runs and up to 1,000 calories on my shorter runs I have a lot of calorie deficit there.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 02/03/2023 22:52

Not an ounce. Sorry.

EyesOnThePies · 02/03/2023 23:04

I lost weight on long brisk walks in lockdown.

londonmummy1966 · 03/03/2023 00:35

I'm losing weight at the moment but I'm marathon training. I've also had to downsize my leggings (but sadly not my massive sports bras). I find that what really helps is reasonable and consistent exercise in the week (say 4-5 one hour sessions a week) plus one really long session at the weekend so 15 miles +. Not sure how sustainable that is though.

PurpleWisteria1 · 03/03/2023 01:28

I find for me it always does help.
Even 3x a week just doing 1/2 hour will really make a difference.
I do try to eat fairly healthily too.
But for me it’s more than calorie deficit. It’s the short bursts of aerobic excercise, I notice my legs most definitely do get trimmer after about 3-4 weeks once I start it up again

fellrunner85 · 03/03/2023 07:44

The other factor to consider is that, if you're a runner, you may also shift your lifestyle in other ways to be healthier, which also helps you lose weight.
Eg, those in marathon training aren't likely to be sinking two bottles of wine on a Saturday night.

It would also be helpful if those saying running didn't help them lose weight quantified how much they run. If running burns around 100 calories a mile (crude estimate but it's roughly accurate for me) then of course I won't shift much weight if I'm only running 5k three times a week and not changing my diet, as that 900 calories doesn't put me in much of a deficit. But run that in a day and it's a different story.

LightDrizzle · 03/03/2023 07:46

Yes! I was eating carefully too though.

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