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I've read many times from many people here that if you want to drop weight, diet is the way to go, and that exercise (running, for me) doesn't really equate to much in terms of weight loss. HOWEVER, there are many indirect benefits that I think have a HUGE impact on your success with a diet. If you'll allow me to blab on for a moment:
1. Running is a mental game. At first, it's physical. Like your first couple runs. But then it becomes mental. You want to stop, to walk, to quit, but you tell yourself to keep going. Your body wants what it wants (stop the pain, feel better... no different than wanting chocolate, or fries, or stromboli), but you have to remind it who is in control.
2. Running teaches you how to be successful. Once you have a few runs/walks under your belt, it seems to get easier. So you go farther, or try to go faster, or walk less. You begin to feel the early taste of success. I CAN do this. I CAN get better. I CAN get faster. I CAN figure this out.
3. Running gives you gumption to get back in the wagon. You start with a mile or two, once or twice a week. But then you add another day, another mile, and so on. But eventually, it happens. You hurt your knee, you get sick, life happens and you get out of your rhythm. You miss a few days, maybe a week. But you get back to it, and it hurts like it did the first time. Then you get out there the second time, and just like that, your back on the wagon running your little heart out!
4. Running is fun. I like to run outside, on trails, in the woods, where nature is. I hate running in the city with the car fumes and noise. But outside, somehow I can run farther and I enjoy it so much more when I'm running side by side with the deer (yes, that actually happened once - coolest moment I've had in years).
5. Running makes your clothes fit good. I've been the same weight for over a month, give or take a couple pounds. However, my jeans fit so much better than they did a month ago. I have more lean muscle, and I think my stealth abs are losing their stealthiness.
Ok, diatribe complete. Not looking for arguments, just throwing out some things I've learned along life's path. Much success to all!!!!
Diet Calendar Entry for 24 January 2016:
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2263 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Running - 6/mph - 38 minutes, Resting - 15 hours and 22 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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 Comments
I will never knock down exercise. Being thin is one thing, being fit is another. Both are good for you.
24 Jan 16 by member: diehard3
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Both weight loss and exercise are important parts of getting healthy and health maintenance. Exercise is difficult at extreme obesity, hell, tying your shoes is difficult at extreme obesity.
24 Jan 16 by member: 1point21gigawatts
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For me, exercise helps me appreciate my smaller body, which in turn makes me want to lose weight and be fit, which in turn, makes me want to exercise...does that make sense?
24 Jan 16 by member: Rckc
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I think fitness and diet go together, having some physical activity in your life gives you something more fun than just shed pounds to work towards :) You can get skinny all you want but that's not really going to help you lift groceries when you're thirty years down the line, at least that's how I look at it now. I'd like to be a fit weight than just a skinny weight... not that I mean to rant.
24 Jan 16 by member: Charonai
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love this post. Im not a runner but I do have a lot of respect for runners bc its hard work. Personally ive been adding in some jogging in the form of HIIT on the treadmill and I have to say I love the way I feel when I do it. Awesome topic
24 Jan 16 by member: redgirl1974
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My orthopedic surgeon would telly uoi to swap your running shoes for a bicycle....after 2 total hip replacements last year at age 50 yrs...I concur !
24 Jan 16 by member: Cod Father
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thank you all for the comments. Cod Father - While I love running, I can see biking in my future. I'm not an alarmist, but I do listen to my body and take it easy between runs. I'm getting older, and my body needs time to heal before I beat it up again. Besides, I love bike riding. I just hope I can remember how to ride! As for you, Maurene285 - I'm not sure where pregnancy fits in this thread, except if it's maybe the day the baby is due, and nothing is happening, and you decide to run a little to get the baby moving in the right direction? That's a stretch, I suppose. Just trying to understand your comments :)
24 Jan 16 by member: RkTkFx
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I can't blame it on running, but I now have fallen arches and I ran 5 miles a day ... almost everyday. I also worked retail and stood on my feet for 10 hour days and we were not allowed to sit down. I felt what you feel running. The adrenaline rush was like nothing else. If I didn't run, I would dream about running. It gets in your blood for sure. I miss it. I am lucky to be able to use an elliptical machine now. My feet are ruined. I ran on the roads and cinder tracks.
24 Jan 16 by member: Mom2Boxers
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My surgeon would go CRAZY ..After spinal surgery a few years ago , now I have another slipped disc ..so I will stick to a slow but steady walk ..and it is working
25 Jan 16 by member: callmesuzie
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I can't run, bad knees and feet, but I walk as much as I'm able, and dance sometimes. I enjoy it, and the calories burned do add up and help.
25 Jan 16 by member: heidij123
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Great journal. I too run most days on my lunch break. I don't go far but it helps to break up my day and feel good!
25 Jan 16 by member: aggie95
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I have DDD in my neck so the running make it worse. I like Fitnessblender.com as Kelly and Daniel have low impact and light weight workouts with modifications.
25 Jan 16 by member: Lakeontario
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I completely agree! I have been back doing some jogging and It feels good!
25 Jan 16 by member: skwhite
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I feel the same way about my exercise bike. I also feel that both diet and exercise are required. Keep up the good work putting the word out.
25 Jan 16 by member: sonnymac
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I started running when my daughter was almost a year old. 5 years and 11 half-marathons later i still HATE it, but I love the 2.5 hours of silence more than I dislike the running itself, so I continue to do it. :-D
25 Jan 16 by member: ketosperiment
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Great journal! My heart won't let me run anymore but sure enjoy my walks.
25 Jan 16 by member: 14toGo
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I can't run on dry land but can in the water. I have a step tracker and I try to do 3 miles a day. Most days I make it to 2 and am happy. 10,000 steps for someone my age is silly so I set it to 6,500 and am happy when it tells me I am at goal. I also watch my food intake. My step tracker also works in the water. Find one that works for your lifestyle. It keeps me motivated
25 Jan 16 by member: Saun7
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Diet alone isn't sufficient. Diet and exercise is the key. The benefits of exercise are numerous and you're on the right track. And I'm off to gym.... :)
25 Jan 16 by member: Slip72
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In my case and experience, exercise has not effect on weight loss. exercise is great for staying healthy, like keeping your A1C and cholesterol down, also good for building and keeping muscle. My husband brought both of these down just by walking and no change in diet.
25 Jan 16 by member: Sweet Georgia Peaches
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