Be careful, because what I have said so far about nutrition may make you think that you can eat more than usual. 

Really, it is just a smarter way to eat to fuel your body, but should not affect your total calorie intake much.  If you are content with your weight, you should eat between 100 and 150 calories more for every mile that you run on top of what you normally would eat to maintain weight without those miles.  If you want to lose weight, know that you lose about 1 pound for every 3,500 calories you save (from diet or exercise).  If you want to lose 1 pound per week, and you maintain your pre-running diet, you need to run about 25-30 miles per week. 

Running is great for helping maintain weight loss, but running itself doesn't make the pounds come off - because you will be hungrier when you are burning more energy.  You may have heard on the news recently that studies have shown that exercise is great for maintaining weight:  women who exercise regularly are more likely not to put on "aging pounds," but...it is not a guarantee for weight loss.  Diet has to be involved as well.  The best thing to do if you want to lose weight is to follow the guidelines for running and eating that I discussed before.

If you cut out empty calories in your diet from sugar and saturated fats (especially sugary drinks and candy, and saturated fats like margarine and fried food), your energy level will remain high and you might achieve a net calorie deficit....and that is what weight loss is all about.  These are just some tips on nutrition that you can take for what they are worth.  I know that I still indulge in some sugary and fattening foods.  I mean, Katie is an amazing cook, and it would be a shame to pass up her raspberry pie, banana bread, chocolate cake, cinnamon scones, or anything else she whips up - but I also make sure that I have a good balance and don't over-indulge too much.  So, eat sensibly, get the fuel your body needs, understand nutrition and the principles of weight loss, and you will feel better and more energized and ready to run.

God has blessed us with bodies that are able to do amazing things, so lets take care of them with a healthy diet and exercise!  Post has no comments.