Running To Lose Weight Effectively

Did you know that there are running tips for elite runners? Although you think you're alone in it. Indeed, it's one of the most popular articles, and every day new emails come in about it. Even elite long-distance runners have to be aware of this, and yet running to lose weight isn't as simple as you'd think when they're training 90+ miles per week!

A lot of people have found running to be an effective workout, however not many runners seem to realize this. Most people go into their workouts with no plan or direction. You do your workout because you want to do it, not because your coach tells you to. As a result, many runners find themselves less likely to exercise than they could be. And they don't even have a great exercise plan to begin with!

The first running tip for elite athletes is to include some strength training in their workout. Many athletes focus on cardio alone, which is fine. But if you're looking to build some lean muscle mass, as well as lose some fat, then cardio is simply not enough.

So what should you include in your running program? For both muscle mass and fat loss, a great idea is to run fast for at least 1 minute each mile. As a matter of fact, you'll actually be doing more harm than good if you try to increase your speed by jogging slowly. Jogging slowly burns more calories, even if you only run a quarter of a mile.

If you'd prefer not to go slow, or to burn more calories while you run, then interval training is the perfect solution. You can do interval training right at home. Simply get an excellent pair of running shoes, and hop on the treadmill. Each time you cover one mile, work your way up to twice that distance. Over the course of a month, you'll be burning several hundred calories a workout, which will have you on your way to losing weight in no time at all.

Along with strength training, you might also benefit from stretching. Stretching is a great way to not only get more fit, but to also ease any tension that you may feel when running. A tight, sore muscle is definitely not conducive to any type of fitness activity, let alone running. When you stretch before you run, you not only get a great workout, but you'll also prevent any potential injuries. And once you've injured yourself, it's going to be tough to get back in shape, let alone feel like running again!

Finally, the best part of running is the fact that you are completely control over how many calories you burn while you exercise. As long as you know what foods to eat during each session, and how much weight to put on afterward, there is no way you can not be successful at weight loss through running. You can exercise for hours on end, knowing that all the calories you are consuming are yours only. You don't need to count calories, or guess which foods you should eat and which ones you should avoid.

As long as you combine these three components, you can be sure to see results. Burning more than three thousand calories per week is a great goal to achieve if you want to see quick results in your body. If you're not sweating it out, but you still need to see quick results, then you can also make use of interval training to get even more in shape, while losing even more weight at the same time. Combine any of these methods with a healthy diet, and you will be able to pack on those pounds in no time flat.