Running When Overweight - Should I or Shouldn't I?
By Sam
Ft Collins, Colorado
My question is about running when overweight. I am thirty pounds overweight and I started running to lose weight. I have read that running is great for losing weight, but I’ve also read that running while overweight is not a good idea.
In my runs, I make it a point to be extra cautious because of my heavy weight. I really like that your beginner running programs involve a lot of walking. I think this helps me slowly build up the running times. And of course, I just jog slowly. Although overweight, I am otherwise healthy and have no joint problems.
There is so much conflicting ideas on the internet about running when overweight, and I don't know which ones to believe. My question is, should I lose the weight before I go on your program or is running for overweight beginners something that you would recommend?
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Thank you for your input. Your website has been very helpful to me.
Answer by Dominique:
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your question about running when overweight.
By the way, I spent some time in Ft Collins too. I studied at CSU as an exchange student for one semester. Go Rams!
I do not recommend very intensive exercise to all beginning runners, overweight or not. I designed my beginner running programs to allow you to focus on easy running and gradually build up your pace at the right time.
As long as you take it easy on yourself, running is very effective in losing weight and very good for overweight people.
In fact, it is one of the best exercises there is for losing weight. You just need to "ease into" your running program, don't start running like a madman, at least not straight away... :)
That's probably where the conflicting advice is coming from. If you are very overweight, intense exercise puts your heart at risk. That's why many people may believe that running is not good for you. But if you start off slowly with a run/walk program in which the runs are nice, gentle jogs then that risk is way smaller.
When you feel you are at risk or if you are in a risky category (older, smoker, overweight, previous heart problems, etc.) it is always advisable to talk to your doctor about your exercise plans. Print out one of the three running programs on my site that you'd like to start with and see what your doctor has to say about it. I am silently confident your doctor will approve and will say that running when overweight is a great idea!
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