Running Has Helped My Weight Control.
Contrary to a recently published report on the HuffingtonPost, (Sorry but I have a hard time taking anything with the name Huffington
seriously) on running and weight-loss, I do believe running is idea for weight
control and in fact I offer my 5 ways running has helped me lose my unwanted
pounds.
1. The
Long Run. During a typical long run (15+ miles) I’ll burn anywhere between 1,500 and 2,000+ calories. I average two
long runs per month. I don’t care who
Huffington is…that equals weight-loss.
Now you have to be smart about it…you can eat your way through your long
run with just one visit to whopperland, but if you stick to a sensible diet,
sensible portions and work on getting in your long runs…you will lose weight.
2. I
no longer view food as entertainment.
Since changing my view of myself as a runner, (Ultra-marathoner) to an
athlete I now see food as a source of fuel and recovery. I need fuel to power the machine and heal the
body. In the past a cup cake was a good snack…or
a whole meal, today I balance what I eat to build a fuel supply for my next
run/race or recovery from a hard work out.
And when I’ve been a really good Ultra-runner…I sneak in a cup cake
here, an Oreo there. You got to enjoy
life some.
3. I
eat better. Gone are the days of living
off Pizza, Pop Tarts, Fritos and full strength Pepsi. Today I balance my meals for nutrient. Being a picky eater most of my life, I
resisted the attempts of others to get me to try food that was “good for
me.” Today the runner side of me has
opened my world to a wider choice of things to eat. I've tried new foods, new dishes, new styles
of food, just because they were a good food source for an athlete.
4. I
don’t just run, I train. I hate to admit
it, but I do just run…I don’t lift weights or do cross-fit or work on
core. I want to, but my life style is so
limited on free time that when I have “the time,” I Run. But I “train” while I run, if you run at the
same pace, same distance every day, day in and day out, your body will get used
to the effort your putting out and your weight loss will become stagnant. I vary my run, and my training. I run long on the weekends, and my week day
runs are a mixture of speed, hills, tempo and recovery. I also vary the distances I run, 15+ on
weekends, double digit at least once during the week and maybe twice if I have
the time and solid 7+ miles the rest of the week. I average 5 to 6 days a week, covering 50 to
60 miles. I also vary the training pace
of my run. Some days are fast, some days
are slow…but normally every day I’m finishing at a pace faster than when I
started.
5. The
Competitive Edge. My body is no longer
just a vehicle that drags me around from place to place…it is now my weapon of
choice to prove I still have it. I've really focused over the last six months and lost 20 pounds. I feel so much lighter during my training and
especially on race day. When I get on a
scale it is not just to monitor my love handles, it is to check on the status
of my racing machine.
Now I’m no fitness expert, I
do not have a medical degree, I’m not professionally trained, I have stayed at
many Holidays Inns, but I’m not a running expert.
(The Fat Face of Brian)
I can only tell you what has worked for me. And that is that Running, Endurance type
running has helped me maintain my weight over the last 15 years. I've had some up and down times over these
years, and as soon as I stop running my weight control goes out the window and
my eating habits go with it. When I’m
running my weight/eating habits are balanced.
And over the last year of focusing on Ultra-Running…I have really
noticed a difference in my weight, my eating habits and my running performance.
(The Ultra Face of Brian,
with my Honey)
It works
for me!
Marathon, Ultra marathon, 26.2, Half Marathon, 13.1, 10k,
6.2, 5k, 3.1, 50 miles, 100 miles, 24 hour run, 12 hour run, running, runner,
jogging, jogger, sub 4 hour, Boston, Marine Corp Marathon, NYC, New York City
Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Richmond Marathon, Shamrock Marathon, Va Beach,
Cleveland Marathon, Niagara Marathon, Runners Diet, Weight Control, Hug A Runner
Day, National Running Day, Runners World, Badwater 135, Leadville Trail 100,
Western States 100, Grand Canyon Rim2Rim2Rim, Adventure Running,
All are very viable points. They work for me too! I know you have found out that dropping the extra pounds like me has helped your running. With my fastest 5k and 10k in 9 years as well as 2 marathon and 2 50k PRs this year plus running 101.36 miles in 24 as testaments to what it can do!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think these works a lot of people and you have had such a great season. Clearly it is working! :-)
ReplyDeletedefinitely some big points Brian-- I definitely notice the changes in my body the more that I run, but I also know some who benefit more from other types of exercise. We are all different, but I am proud to be a runner and an efficient one :)
ReplyDelete