how many miles should i run to lose weight

I’d have to argue that running is a great way to lose weight and there’s really no magic number of miles per week when you start losing weight. You can lose a pound of weight if you have a calorie deficit – achieved by exercise or cutting calories – of about 3,500 calories.

A 150-pound person will burn about 100 calories per mile of running. So, if that person runs 15 miles and is able to cut 2,000 calories over the course of a week, he can lose a pound. But the same could be said if that person ran 12 miles and cut 2,300 calories. So it’s really all about eating fewer calories than your body needs to sustain its weight and exercising to burn even more calories.

What your friend may have read about is the data from the Weight Loss Control Registry, a research group that studies people who have successfully lost weight and maintained their weight loss, which points to the need to consistently burn 2,800 calories through exercise each week in order to successfully lose weight. 2,800 calories would be equivalent to about 28 miles per week, for the average runner. So, that doesn’t mean that you have to run 20+ miles per week to lose weight, but you will probably be more successful if you do so (or do other exercise to supplement your running).

Running some of your miles at a faster pace by doing some speedwork will boost your calorie burn and speed up your weight loss efforts.

The key to losing weight with running, or with any form of exercise, for that matter, is to create an exercise habit. It helps to set specific goals for yourself, such as training for an upcoming race or aiming to complete a certain number of miles in a month.

Some runners stay motivated and consistent by following a training schedule so they know exactly what they need to do every day (including rest days!). Keeping a training log or a running blog is an excellent way to track your progress and stay motivated.

Running with a group or a buddy also helps you stay motivated and progressing toward your goal. It’s tough to skip a run or workout if you know that your running friends are waiting for you. If you can’t convince a friend or family member to run with you, follow these tips on how to find running buddies.

Planning some short-term and long-term rewards (non-food) for yourself will also keep you inspired to continue running. For example, plan to treat yourself to a pedicure or massage when you’ve run three times a week for three weeks. If you’re stumped for reward ideas, check out these ways to celebrate your running progress.