Running for Weight Loss

Daily exercise is widely recommended by doctors and health care professionals, and running is a form of cardiovascular exercise widely promoted in order to lose weight. However, while running can do wonders for your physical and mental health, there are a few factors to consider. For starters, running is a high impact sport.

Translation: it is hard on your joints.

Adding to this, if you are taking up running to lose weight, chances are you are packing a few extra pounds. Excess weight further exasperates the strain running inflicts on your joints. Therefore, consider the following alternatives to strengthen your muscles and condition your body so you can safely take on this sport in the future.

Elliptical

The elliptical machine offers cardiovascular exercise with a low impact on the joints. As a matter of fact, many injured runners are instructed by their coaches to hit the elliptical in order to keep their aerobic endurance and minimize the impact on their joints while recovering.

Treadmill

The treadmill offers many weight loss exercises besides running. For instance, many treadmills come with pre-programmed workouts to promote weight loss. Another popular weight loss option on the treadmill is interval training which boasts weight loss potential. Finally, consider walking on the treadmill set on an incline; this will make your workout more demanding, which would mean a better, harder, calorie burning workout. This also helps with strengthening the muscles around your knees, setting you up for your running future.

Cycling or Stationary Bike

Another cross-training choice favored by runners is biking. Whether you choose to take a spin class or ride your bike to the grocery store instead of driving, biking is another form of low impact exercise. Biking or cycling offers the same type of cardiovascular exercise as does running but it is easier on your knees.

If you are in the beginning stages of a weight loss program, don’t overdo it. Pick a few exercises to do every other day and slowly ease into the workouts. It is easy to get excited and carried away, but your body needs time to adjust to these positive changes. That being said, if you are looking for a jump start on your weight loss journey, weight loss surgery is worth considering. If you are in Melbourne, Viera, Palm Bay, Merritt Island or anywhere Brevard County and are interested in our rapid weight loss surgery programs, call us to schedule a consultation.