[Sister of the groom]

I just started running regularly about a month ago. I go about three days a week for thirty minutes (right now I'm not running the whole way, just about half). I am working my way up to run in a 5K sometime this summer. Anyway, I have gained weight since I started running, but I am losing inches (a couple anyway!). I was just wondering how long it will take to start losing weight again instead of gaining it? Now that school is done for the summer, I am hoping to add in some weight training on the days that I am not running. Any advice?

[MBN]

Well it could be muscle gain and / or fluid shifts ... you don't mention how much weight you've gained. A few pounds plus/minus can be normal flucuations. Something else to watch though, is the tendency to consume more because we've worked out.

Running 3 miles only burns about 300 calories on average ... and because you'd burn maybe 30-40 calories sitting for that same length of time, then it's really only a net increased burn of 260-270. calories or so. Even at 300 calories extra expenditure, if you figure that to lose a pound, you need a net "negative calorie burn" of 3500 calories, it would take running 3 miles per day for 12 days to lose that ONE pound. When you consider that the average sports drink contains about 300 calories in just 12 ounces, it's not hard to consume everything you just burned off and more -- without realizing it.

My suggestion is that you look carefully at the intake side of your equation (food and beverages) and keep up the exercise. Weight training is an important complement to running, it builds lean muscle tissue and helps protect your joints.

My 2 cents, hope that helps!!

[lumifan4ever]

Sister of the groom...i too have kinda of noticed the same thing. I have been up about 2 pounds for the past 2 weeks..kinda of up and down , since taking up running about 3 weeks now. I started out at 3 miles and am up to 5 miles. Not all 5 miles are running, but i do run about 4 out of the 5 miles total. I take a walk lap in between about 4 or 5 running laps. I like to think my muscles are retaining fluids and the muscles themselves are getting bigger. I haven't been brave enough to measure myself yet though. Gonna give it at least 4 to 6 weeks of getting 4 or 5 days a week in running before i do that. My guess is...as long as we are getting slimmer...we shouldn't worry soo much about what the scale says. Right??? lol.

[Sister of the groom]

I think the eating more calories is partly right-I have been indulging myself a little more than I should be . I didn't really know how many calories I was burning while running. It sure felt like a lot more when I first started! I have been up about 4-5 pounds since starting to run. BUT-I hadn't been keeping up on my weight training. The only reason I know I had lost inches is because I am in a wedding (hence the name) and was measured for my dress about 2 months ago and had my first fitting this weekend and it was loose!!! Very cool, but I want it to be looser in a month for the wedding! Thanks for the replies guys!!