Running for Weight Loss

by Lou
(England)

Why is it that I've been running now for four weeks 2.5 miles each time I run. I run three times per week and I haven't lost any weight.

Answer by Dominique:




Hi Lou,
Thanks for your question about running for weight loss.

Weight loss is a function of two things: the amount of calories you burn and the amount of calories you consume.

Your running will help you burn more calories, but if you do not change your eating patterns your weight loss will not happen very fast.

I'll explain why.

Suppose you weigh 175 Am pounds (about 80 kg) and run your 2.5 miles. That will burn about 335 calories. See my Calories Burned while Running Calculator.

To lose 1 kg you need to burn about 3,750 - 4,000 calories more than you consume, i.e. about 550-600 calories per day if you want to lose 1 kg per week.

Your 2.5 miles per day, 3 days / wk is a great start. But I would suggest more running and longer distances. In addition to that I would suggest a critical look at your calorie-intake.

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Also see my Running for Weight Loss page for a number of tips to accelerate your weight loss.

Hope this helps.
Best of luck.
Kind regards,
Dominique