Running > Losing Weight

In the grand scheme of things, in my little world, running will always be greater than losing weight. But, in all actuality I want both and am striving to obtain both and this post is about the attempt to have both.

I found a pin on Pinterest that brought me to Active.com to an article titled "Running to Lose Weight." I started reading it and really enjoyed the 6 tips that it provided:

Tip #1: Give yourself time to adapt

Tip #2: Become a consistent runner

Tip #3: Follow a run/walk program to get started

Tip #4: Add strength and intensity gradually

Tip #5: How to continue losing weight

Tip #6: Be smart about progression

My Googling skills brought me to another article at Runner's World titled "The Golden Rules of Weight Loss." This article gives not only 8 rules for runners who are trying to lose weigh, but also ways to make it work along with a variety of examples since everyone is different and not everything will work for everyone. The rules:

Rule #1: Take really good notes

Make it work: A notebook, an Excel sheet, iPhone, etc.

Rule #2: Measure what you eat

Make it work: Keep equipment handy, think convenience, snack smart, make your mark

Rule #3: Beef up your protein intake

Make it work: It's not just how much protein you consume, but when you consume it that's important

Rule #4: Add color to every meal

Make it work: Frozen, canned, dried, jarred or fresh, fill at least 1/3 of your plate with vegetables

Rule #5: Stop Grazing!

Make it work: Divide your calories around three meals and one or two snacks, going at least three hours and up to four or five hours without eating, the goal is to eat when you're hungry but not starving to avoid overeating

Rule #6: Always have a plan

Make it work: Map out your meal planning for the week (the article provides examples of healthy dinners for a week)

Rule #7: Slow down!

Make it work: Sit down, avoid family-style, don't eat alone, be wary of the tv, eat in like you're eating out, don't drive hungry

Rule #8: Do not rush weight loss

Make it work: Make your food taste good, keep fine-tuning your plan, don't give up

These are two really good articles that I really enjoyed reading and took a lot from and I would highly recommend reading them if you are also having difficulty or are interested in losing weight while running.

It's not something that is going to be easy to do, but if I continue to read good articles like these and actually follow the tips they provide then maybe I can find more success at having both then choosing just one or the other.