Even elite long-distance runners get reminded of it and running to lose weight isn't even nearly as simple as you'd think when they're training 90+ miles a day! So why does running really help you lose weight so easily? Here is the scoop on running to shed pounds. It may surprise you...
Running burns lots of calories. This is an undisputed fact. If you do it right, running will increase your metabolism and speed up your fat-burning processes. But even though you'll be burning more calories than you normally would when you exercise, you can usually maintain your endurance because you're not putting as much strain on your body as you normally would.
Strength training also helps burn calories. As a matter of fact, any type of cardiovascular activity that gets your heart pumping will help your metabolism. The problem is finding the right kinds of cardiovascular workouts. That's where running comes in.
Did you know that there are actually hidden calories in fast foods and other foods that we often buy but never take the time to read the nutritional information on them? These aren't "real" calories because they don't come with nutritional information. Many of these products have large amounts of hidden calories in them that you might not realize. For example, did you know that most potato chips contain trans fats? Not only do these trans fats increase your overall calorie count, they also make you use up more energy to digest them, which means that you'll likely end up eating more to replenish your energy after a long run or workout.
And then there are the "good carbs" that our favorite sports drinks and cereals and breads contain. These carbohydrates provide you with energy. The problem is that most of us don't particularly care for them. In reality, our body doesn't need them and using them up causes an insulin response that raises your blood sugar and leads to overeating. If you run, you'll be burning more calories than you ever thought possible. Not to mention that your body uses up fuel in order to digest these "good carbs".
Running will also help you gain weight. But, the gains are a lot more than just a little bit. By adding several pounds of lean muscle mass, you will find that you will have much more energy and will feel better all the time. This will also change the way that you look as well. If you've been working out for years, it may even shock you at how much you begin to like the new you.
If you aren't already working out, consider running as an addition to your workout routine. Even if you have an hour or two per day of exercise time, the high-intensity exercises that you will perform on your run will still be very effective in burning calories and losing weight. As long as you add an additional muscle mass and keep your metabolism high, you will never run out of options when it comes to weight loss.
The biggest benefit of all is that it adds lean muscle mass, which will lead to loss of fat. When you lose fat, you will also lose the excess water weight that's been accumulating as well. This makes running much easier on your body than other high-intensity exercise, which makes it an excellent choice to shed those stubborn belly fats. If you've tried to lose weight by cutting out calories or doing cardio, but nothing has been able to show you the results you want, don't give up. Try running to lose weight and start enjoying results that you can see!
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