If you run will you lose weight?...

Question
If you run will you lose weight? If yes, why?  

Answer
Lisa,

Our weight depends on the number of calories we eat compared to the number of calories we burn (resting metabolism plus physical activity & exercise).

If the number of calories you ate were exactly equal to the number of calories you burned and THEN you added running, you would lose weight because you are burning more calories than you consume.  This is called a "negative energy balance".  The rate of weight loss would depend on how much running you are doing.  You need to burn 3500 calories to lose one pound of fat weight.

However, this is unrealistic, in my opinion.  One extra soda pop or two Oreo cookies would give you more calories than you would burn in two days of running.  I tell people to not expect any weight loss without DIET and EXERCISE.  I believe you must reduce the calories you eat AND engage in regular exercise to lose weight.  Not to do both is to set yourself up for failure.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes.

Todd

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