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Weight Loss Exercise

Running for Weight Loss Plan: Beginner’s Guide





Running is one of the best workouts for weight loss. It burns more calories per hour than many other forms of exercise, and you don’t even have to spend a lot of money because all you need is a good pair of running shoes. If you are new to running and would like to shed some extra pounds, the following running for weight loss plan will get you off to a good start.

Getting Started – Running for Weight Loss

Walk and Run

Running is a challenging exercise, so it’s important to begin your fitness routine gradually in order to avoid injury. A combination of walking and running will give your body time to adapt to the training while still burning calories. Start with a brisk 10-minute walk to warm up your body and loosen your muscles. Alternate between running for 1 minute and walking for 1 minute for the next 10 minutes. Finish your workout with a 10-minute walk to cool down.

Gradually increase the duration of the runs and shorten the walks until you are able to run consistently for 10 minutes. Finally, begin to shorten your warm-up and cool-down walks so that you will be running longer periods. Run at a pace that allows you to carry on a conversation. Your goal is to be able to run for 30 minutes at a time in order to maximize calorie burn.

Add Mileage



Running for Weight Loss

Running for Weight Loss

The next stage of your weight loss running plan is to run longer distances. You can easily get bored if you run the same distance day in and day out. Gradually increase your total mileage for the week in order to burn more calories each week and achieve your weight-loss goal.

The rate of mileage increase should not exceed 10% per week. This will give your body time to adapt to the workout without suffering from the added stress on your joints and muscles.

Intervals

Interval training is one of the best ways to increase the number of calories burned during your workout. When doing intervals, you alternate between sprinting/running and jogging/walking. Fartlek can also be integrated into your running for weight loss plan. Fartlek is an unstructured form of interval training where you sprint 200-400 meters, then run at your normal pace for recovery.

Vary Your Workouts

Your weight loss running plan should provide variety in your types of workout so as to prevent boredom. In addition to intervals, your workout can include tempo runs or running at a challenging but manageable pace. It’s also a good idea to incorporate long, slow runs at least once a week. Running longer distances allows you to burn more calories and shed extra pounds.


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Weight Loss Exercise

What It Takes to Run a Marathon





One of the most grueling races in the world is to run a marathon. Anyone who wants to run a marathon needs proper preparation and training. It is said that when you join a marathon, you are not only competing with other marathon runners but you are competing primarily with yourself. When running a marathon, mental preparation is as important as physical conditioning. During the final kilometers of the run, sheer determination may be the only thing pushing you to finish the race.

Start Small to Run a Marathon

Keep in mind that a full marathon is a daunting 42.2 kilometers, or around 26 miles. If you have never run a marathon before, it’s advisable to start by joining short distance races such as a 5K run. After competing in a number of 5K races, you may want to join 10K runs. Be sure to train properly for these short distance races. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to run a half marathon (21 kilometers) and even a full marathon.

Running shorter distance races will allow you to gauge your level in running, as well as your endurance level. Once you are able to run shorter races easily and confidently, you can proceed to running marathons.

Physical Preparation Getting Ready For a Marathon

Preparing to Ran a Marathon

Preparing to Ran a Marathon

Running coaches advise against running a marathon unless you have been running consistently for about a year. Before joining a marathon, you should be training four to five days a week and averaging at least 25 miles per week. If you have not reached this level of running, choose a suitable training program that will bring you up to the proper level. Running a marathon without proper physical training will increase the risk of injury and/or not finishing the race.

Cross training and weight training can also help you complete a marathon. These workouts increase your energy and develop muscles that may be neglected if you focus on running alone.

Mental Preparation – Marathons are Long and Tough

There is a lot of mental work involved when you train for a marathon. You have to believe and know that you can do it. Training is not easy, nor is running a marathon. There are tricks you can do to mentally prepare for a marathon. You can try to imagine running effortlessly and visualize reaching the finish line. Some people find that it helps when they “talk” themselves into completing the race.

It also helps if you break the course into sections mentally. Instead of thinking of completing 42 kilometers, think of running 5 or 10 kilometers. After completing one section, think of running the next until you successfully run the full marathon.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Is Running Good for Weight Loss?





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?

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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