Hi,

I just wanted to run this by everyone to get advice.

I started running in my 30's pretty seriously. I ran some 5 and 10ks and ran around 4 or 5 miles a few times a week. I am now almost 44 and have been at an all time high weight for me. My average adult weight was 150, yeah somewhat over weight, but not too bad. I have managed to lose some weight but went on an endless plateau. I am currently calorie counting. So I figure I need to change something, and although I am working on the food thing, I thought how about if I run every day 3 to 5 miles? Would the extra calorie burn make me lose? I was currently walking 3 miles say 4 days a week, now I started running it, (it is actually a trail in the woods). The walking 3 to 4 hours a week only seemed to maintain my fitness level. I have also added tead mill workouts.
I think maybe I really need to get my heart rate up. After a week of these workouts, my depression seems better, and my energy level is higher, no drop off the plateau yet. and do I need to do the weights, should I add that in?
I should also add I've had knee surgery, but it seems to be getting better with the running.

-Elaine

Yes! Run! Lift weights! Walking is good, but if you're reasonably fit, running is better. You need to get your heart rate up so that you're sweaty and out of breath. I don't think I could lose weight just walking (unless I walked on a serious incline on the treadmill or walked for hours and hours at a time).

Lifting weights is also very important--muscles consume more calories than fat and they also have a big impact on the shape of your body.

I don't know if you should run 3-5 miles every day, but definitely add some running and see how it goes. Adding weight lifting (after being trained in proper form) is always a good idea.

Thanks, well yeah every day might be a bit rough, so I don't know maybe shoot for four runs, 2 walks and some weights and a day off?

I don't know what I was thinking, I somehow thought I could lose by just walking, guess not. I also noticed I was getting out of breath climbing stairs so that's when I figured I should get my heart rate.

I do work hard when I am on the treadmill though. I think I'm the only one who sweats at the gym. I see people get on there and walk at a very slow pace. How can you get in shape like that? And they're on for like 10 minutes. My last time I was there I burned 900 calories in 50 minutes. I usually crank the incline way up, jog at a slow pace and then lower it and run between 5 and 6.