Energy expenditure and number of calories burned running and jogging

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT RUNNING

If there’s one sport that helps you lose weight, it’s definitely running, which will undoubtedly take pride of place on the podium of the best sports for slimming down!

Look around you! You’ll rarely see any runners who are overweight, and if you do, tell yourself that they’ve had the great idea of starting or getting back into running!

You’ll no doubt read a lot of articles proving that sport doesn’t make you lose weight, but it would be better to avoid them, because as everyone knows, if there’s one absolute truth, it’s that a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet will make you put on weight, not the other way round. Running 2 or 3 times a week with a balanced diet that meets your metabolic needs is bound to help you get back into shape.

Why does running and jogging help you lose weight in the medium and long term?

When you go jogging, there’s a very simple mechanical reason why you naturally tap into your sugar and fat reserves. To run, just like your car, you need fuel and the better your aerobic capacity(oxygenation), the more you will draw on your fat reserves. For example, if you run at a pace of 8km/h, you’ll need 8 times more energy than if you were at rest. If you’re a beginner and you start again by alternating running and walking, you’ll expend 6 times more energy than you would at rest.

Some benefits of running and jogging

As we all know, running has many benefits for the body and mind, and here is a non-exhaustive list.

• Preserving your health and boosting your immune system
• Refining your figure and toning your body
• Lose weight
• Regain breath, stamina and cardiovascular capacity
• Improve your mind and mood by secreting endorphins
• Get a better complexion and beautiful skin
• Strengthen muscles and bones
• Increase your self-confidence by achieving your goals

Don’t forget, and this is to avoid injury, that to last and progress in running, it’s important to understand the notion of progressiveness (step by step without missing a step), variety in training (fundamental endurance, long or short outings, splits, etc.) and rest.

As you can see, there’s no point in looking for excuses any longer, just run to your doctor! Do a complete check-up and start running at a slow pace so as not to injure yourself, and you’ll gradually see the benefits of running for your body as well as your mind!