When people are trying to lose weight, they’re usually willing to try anything. However, the main issue is that they’re usually not aware of all the things they’ll need to change. For instance, there are people that believe that running will help them lose weight. And it will – no doubt about that. But if you think that running alone will have a major impact on your weight loss, you may end up being disappointed.
While running is certainly an excellent way to tone your body and get it in shape, you will need to make some other alterations to your lifestyle as well. That said, here’s how you can use running to help improve your weight loss journey.
Make changes in your workout
The biggest mistake runners make when trying to lose weight is stick to a single type of running. If you’re just starting out, this won’t be a significant problem. But if you’ve been running for some time, you will need to switch up your routine a bit. Simply put, if you repeat the same thing over a period of time and expect different results, you’re bound to end up being disappointed. So, the next time you put your cool Puma running shoes on and hit the road, try making alterations to your usual routine. The more variety you implement in your running, the sooner you’ll start noticing results.
Pay attention to the intensity
Another thing you should pay attention to is intensity. As mentioned earlier, if your running is always the same, you’re about to reach a plateau at some point. Therefore, if you go for a 30-minute run every other day, try to change up the intensity a bit. Try to shift between a steady pace and sprint outbursts. It can become quite easy for us to choose a tempo we are comfortable with and stick to it. But, unless you feel the burn after your exercise, chances are it wasn’t a very productive one.
Mind your diet
Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, running on its own won’t be enough to lose weight. Instead, you should also make alterations in your diet. Since fat and carbohydrates are the two main sources of energy in our bodies, and your goal is to burn fat, you’ll have to adjust your diet accordingly. Also, when exercising, your body is breaking down protein. That’s why you need to ensure that you include more protein in your diet to replenish everything you’ve lost during the exercise and enable your muscles to heal. Of course, make sure you also stay well-hydrated and energized during your run. Since you’ll be sweating a lot, you will need to make sure you don’t become dehydrated.
Have enough rest
Finally, rest is just as important as exercising when trying to lose weight. This means that, first of all, you need to ensure that you get the proper amount of sleep. Since you’ll be using more energy when exercising, your body will require more rest. Aside from sleep, however, you should also rest in between your exercises. But this doesn’t mean you should spend the days you’re not going for a run on your couch. Instead, whenever you’re not running, you should at least go for a walk. This way, you’ll still be active and burning fat without putting too much strain on your body.
So, when trying to lose weight, keep these tips in mind. Sure, running is a great way you can not only tone your entire body but actually improve your overall health. But running alone won’t be enough to shred those pounds unless you change your entire lifestyle.