I'm trying a 3-day-a-week running plan which was suggested to me. I'm sure that it will increase my ability to run, but as for its weight loss benefits, I have no idea. Every person I've talked to has said that limiting it to three days a week is best, but I still wonder: is there something else I should be doing on the off days? I'll be doing fencing 6 days a week as well, but of course my fitness level and skill at fencing, neither of which are that great, limit the amount of exercise I can get out of it. Could/should I still run at a lower intensity? Walk?

Thanks!

If you're starting out, I'd stick with three days a week for running. You could add something that isn't cardio on other days - have you thought about strength training?

Good luck!
Heather

I run 3 days a week, and try to do some cardio the other 2-3 times a week.. the key is to not always workout in the high intensity, so the other days is medium and usually one low heart rate workout. I need to do that or i will not lose any weight.

I've been running 3 days a week for the past 6 months or so. While I've seen a change for the good in my legs (more muscle, less fat/flab) I think I'm at a point where I need more. I'd like to join a gym to do strength training on my off days. For what it's worth, I thought the running would help my weight and so far it really hasn't. I weigh 1 pound more than I did 6 months ago. For me, diet is what makes me lose weight and I think the exercise is more for helping me maintain the loss.

I strength train on the days I run or the off days... I also swim... The only thing I don't do on run days is work my legs I do that on off days only...