Running for Weight Loss


running
Tizzy
Latest posts by Tizzy (see all)

Over the last few months I’ve gotten really into exploring all of the amazing fitness and mindfulness apps out there. Some are great, some are worthless, some would clearly be great if you didn’t have to unlock all of the good features. Among the apps that I’ve grown to really love and depend on is the app Running.

I think this app is sometimes skipped over because in its presentation it seems so basic. I admit I skipped over it for weeks before finally pressing download. The app has five basic training programs for free, and within each of those programs there are levels according to your fitness level. The programs are walking for weight loos, start running, running for weight loss, 5k and 10k. I’ve been doing the running for weight loss program, intermediate level, which means prior to this app, I could easily run 1-2 miles comfortable. Truth be told, I can do more, but the thought of me being an “advanced” runner is just laughable.

When doing any exercise with the intention of losing weight, everything you do is about getting you to that fat burning zone, which generally speaking, is any exercise you do after the first 40 minutes. So if you go for a 45 minute run, which seems like a nearly impossible feat, you are really only burning fat for about 5 minutes or so. The app’s training program writes running workouts, for the treadmill or outdoors, that help bring you to that fat burning zone, even if you can yet run for 45 minutes straight. This is done by doing longer and shorter running and walking intervals throughout your workout. Some days the intervals are easy, for example you might be running easily for 3 minutes then walking for 2, but other days you might be sprinting for one minute and jogging for one minute. However difficult though, every workout is 40 minutes or longer.

Within your training plan too there are rest days. No matter how in shape you may be and how much you love your routine, your body needs those rest days and it needs cross training days. Even on my rest day I’ll try to do some light yoga, maybe just for 15 minutes, in order to get my blood flowing. On my cross days I’ll do anything – hiking, Soul Cycle, a BBG workout, or maybe a barre or pilates class. For me, it’s all about switching things up so I don’t get bored!

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