Running burns calories, develops the cardiovascular and muscular systems, and improves mood. However, running is not, alone, the best way to lose weight. It is important for runners to understand this because it can be frustrating to put in the miles without seeing significant weight loss.
The issue lies in the body’s metabolism. Metabolism is the process by which your body converts food that you consumer into energy. As the body increases its “rate of metabolism,” more and more energy (including fat) stored in the body is used.
Running does a great job of increasing metabolism while the body is running. However, metabolism tends to taper off quickly once the run is completed. If you run for the purpose of losing weight, it is important to consider other exercises that help the body maintain an increased metabolism after the exercise is completed – in other words, you need to find a way to increase your “resting metabolism.” Perhaps the best exercise for increasing resting metabolism is weight lifting.
Studies have found that a modest strength training program (i.e. 3 days a week with four standard strength exercises with three sets of eight to 12 repetitions) can increase resting metabolism by 7 percent over a 3 month period. This increased resting metabolism level will help turn your body into a “furnace” that will be much more effective in burning fat.
Therefore, while running does wonders for the heart, lungs, and muscles, the best way to lose weight might be supplement your running with a modest weight lifting program.
