Is Running Good for Weight Loss? When coupled with a sensible diet, any form of exercise can help you lose weight. However, running is recognized as one of the best workouts for weight loss. You can burn more calories by running for half an hour than walking for the same length of time. If you’re wondering whether or not running is good for weight loss, the answer is yes.
An aerobic exercise like running elevates your heart rate and strengthens your cardiovascular system. When working out at your aerobic threshold, your body will go into fat-burning mode. Even after you stop running, your body will continue to burn calories as a faster rate. This will help burn more fat and aid in weight loss.
Is Running Good for Weight Loss?
One pound of fat is equivalent to 3,500 calories. This means that if you want to shed one pound, you have to burn 3,500 calories more than you consume over a given period of time. Health experts recommend a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week, or up to 8 pounds in one month. Depending on your weight loss goal, you would have to burn an extra 500-1000 calories per day.
Is Running Good for Weight Loss?
On average, an individual weighing 150 pound who runs one mile burns about 100 calories. If you weigh more, you’ll burn slightly more calories. If you weigh less, you’ll burn fewer calories running the same distance. For example, a 120-pound person running at a 5 mile-per-hour pace will burn approximately 88 calories.
In practical terms, a person weighing 180 pounds who runs 5 miles a day will lose around 5 pounds in a month’s time. This weight loss can be achieved without making any changes in the diet.
Not a Fast Solution
While health experts agree when asked is running good for weight loss, it will take time and patience to shed pounds. This can be a problem if people want to see results right away.
Fitness experts also caution that a 10-minute run will not do much for weight loss or cardiovascular health. In order to get the full benefits of cardiovascular exercise, you need to workout and maintain your aerobic threshold for at least 30 minutes.
Long and Slow vs. Short and Fast
Studies show that the best weight loss results take place when people burn 2,800 extra calories per week through exercise. This means that long, slow runs (at least 30 minutes duration) 3 to 4 times a week burn more calories than short, fast runs.
Running is good for weight loss, but keep in mind that it will take time before you reach your desired weight. The good news is that running will also help improve your cardiovascular and overall health.
So you ask is running good for weight loss? And in fact it is although the weight will not come off right away but you will become healthier and lose the weight.
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