Ooook... so i want to start the couch to 5k program as soon as my treadmill arrives which will be in 10 days.. I was doing IP but ive heard your not supposed to do that and exercise very much and well...i love to run and would like to learn how to distance running and i know that running burns lots of cals and it probably wouldnt be reccomended on IP, so is there a diet that is good for weight loss and good for people who are burning lots of cals while running? I dont want to burn off all my food cause usually when i do hit the gym its for a couple hours..thoughts?

I'm sorry, I'm not understanding your acronym. What is IP and the specifics of your plan?

IP is ideal protein diet and you average between 700-900 calories a day on the diet..there is a forum on 3fc for it...
Basically comprised of higher protein lower carb lower fat diet...Used to treat patients who are heavier typically.

Ah. Well I wouldn't be eating that for a long term plan, working out or no, but unless you feel you need more nutrition there is nothing wrong with running on those calories. Just adjust upward with fat and fiber added to your protein-core meals if you find yourself still hungry.

I've been on higher calorie diets and much lower calorie diets and worked out on both. It just depends on the feedback your body is giving you. I have worked out on VLCDs and am fine, except for less stamina, and I've been sluggish on 1900 calories a day, regardless of exercise. I don't think your plan is necessarily incompatible with working out, but I would be concerned it isn't a good one to use because transitioning from a VLCD to maintenance eating is a big leap and often one doesn't make it well.

That's just my .02

Until you get in to significant running (like more than 90 minutes at a time) there is no reason why running requires any specific diet.


You are not going to be burning "lots of calories" in Couch to 5K. 3 miles of RUNNING burns about net 450 calories at your current weight. Most of the C25K workouts are much shorter than that.

Agreed - the amount of running you will be doing will be minimal for awhile.

But, I'm also a firm believer in starting out slow and working your way up to prevent injury. Honestly, I would work on walking alone first, then speeding up walking and distance before moving to running. It will make injuries much less likely and you can still get quite a workout through walking without all the risks of running - especially if you are just starting out with fitness and at your weight.

Agreed with the above posters. Just starting out you'll be doing such a small amount of "running" that it doesn't matter that you're on the IP diet.

Having said that I would not suggest running. Start with walking then proceed to brisk walking.

Absolutely. Build up to 45 minutes of BRISK walking before starting jogging. I guess I missed that the OP wasnt already doing that?

Brisk walking rocks, when it comes to cardio. Agreed! So much kinder on my breasts and knees than running >_<

This has nothing to do with your original question, but if you are just getting started running, I would strongly suggest going to an actual fitness shoe store and being fitted for shoes. It will help tremendously with avoiding injury and making sure you get shoes that fit the way you run. Sorry for the thread diversion, but I just thought you should be told that if you haven't already been made aware of the importance of a running shoe fitting.

I'm just starting up running too...good luck. I don't really love running, to be honest, but I love to set challenging goals for myself and my goal is to get to 3 miles without stopping.

Anyway, another GREAT treadmill exercise that actually burns the same amount (or more) calories, depending on the speed and incline, is "hill" walking. I was only doing 3.1 miles per hour today, but kept increasing the incline, and I was worn out when I got to incline level 12!

I will set a lower speed like 3.1 miles, and every minute I will bump the incline up a level. Once I get to 3.1 mph/level 12 incline, I drop the incline down and increase the speed to 3.2 or 3.3. Then I bump the incline level after a minute until I get to level 11. Then back down, and bump up the speed, ... You get the idea.

Try it when you need a break from running.

Just sent you a pvt msg in response to your thread!

We don't get to benefit from your information too?

Sorry John! I just VERY RESPECTFULLY disagreed w/ some of the posters and wanted to offer my own advise to her in private.