Will Running Help Me Maintain Weight Loss?
Congrats on Losing Weight! Experts Share Advice on How Running Can Help You Maintain It
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Don't skimp on strength training, Holly said. "In order to lose weight and keep it off, try to do resistance training three to four times a week, and run two to three times a week." She added that muscle is active tissue and helps you lose weight while your body is at rest, because it's burning calories for you. The more muscle you have on your body, the more calories you'll burn at rest, and the less body fat you'll have.
Holly, Krissi, and Emily agree that if you're gaining weight, you're going to need to look at your calorie intake to ensure that you're not in a calorie surplus. If you're tracking, it'll be easy to see if you've been consuming extra calories, and you'll be able to tweak your intake to see results.
If you actually love running, find new ways to challenge yourself. Krissi said to try sprints, running hills or on mountain terrain, running in a pool, running outside if you're used to a treadmill, and even running sideways or backward for fun.
Rachel said that stress levels can also play a role. Running puts stress on the body, and if mixing up your runs doesn't work, she suggested going for walks instead. "Walking helps to lower your body's overall stress load and lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that makes it more difficult to lose weight and can cause weight gain," Rachel said. The combination of walking and strength training can help you lose that bit of added weight and help you maintain weight while lowering stress levels.