Many individuals take up running to lose excess weight. Running is a vigorous exercise, that efficiently burns calories. A person who weighs about 150 pounds, burns around 100 calories a mile while running.
Eat Healthy
Remember that you’ll lose weight only if the amount of calories burned is more than the calories consumed. To shed a pound, a person needs to burn around 3600 calories. So, a healthy diet is necessary for runners. Stick to the tried and tested principles of healthy eating. Include vegetables, fruits and whole grains in your diet. Minimize intake of high-calorie and high-fat foods.
Some runners feel so hungry and thirsty after their exercise, that they overcompensate by consuming more beverages and food. Such runners find that they gain weight despite their daily training. To avoid this error, maintain a diary recording your food intake. This will help you track your dietary habits. You’ll think again before eating another chocolate donut.
Run Regularly
To lose pounds, regular training is necessary. Running once every 6 or 7 days is not enough. Try to run daily. If you do not have the time, reduce your running workouts to 3-4 times a week.
Make it Challenging
Try sprinting for short distances. Speed work can help you lose weight, as it burns a lot of calories in a shorter period. It also improves resting metabolism and muscle mass, which would help you burn extra calories through the day.
Eating for Better Performance
Do not fall into the trap of eating skimpy meals to lose weight. Regular running and training need proper nutrition to fuel high performance levels. Skipping meals will not adequately fuel your muscles. Therefore, eat and drink healthy items before and after long and intense workouts. Nutrition is very important for recovery and performance.
