I'm Running Strong... But Gaining Weight?

I wasn't that happy this morning when I stepped on the scale. Huh? Where did those pounds come from?

How does one gain weight when One runs, and runs and runs?
I'm running strong...but gaining weight?

I ask myself this question a lot... Why does the weight come on even if I am active and burning calories?

So here I've found 7 reasons You might gain weight even though your running strong:

1. It's the change of seasons and the days are shorter, running may be the only exercise of the day compared to the warmer temperatures when your out and about and burning more calories.
2. People tend to snuggle down earlier and snack more in the fall and winter.
3. Our bodies go through a kind of getting ready for winter and go through a hibernation stage.
4. Elevated stress from work before the holiday season, having you picking up fast food meals with higher calories.
   
5. You sleep more or sleep less and this tips the balance of your body's normal functions and can aggravate cravings for food all through the day.
   
6. You crave more foods which contain more carbs and this has you craving more carbs.
7. Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD) - Individuals are negatively affected by the change in seasons from fall to winter and function less efficiently in the winter months. You tend to get tired and forgo going and working out. Leading to depression and eating, hence gaining weight.
   

Taking more than 3 days off!

What are the chances of you running again?

Have you ever had it where you've started a program and you continue to do it for 3months to a year and then...YOU never go back?

Lots of people go through this in the beginning of a new program...

But...What about people who have been doing it long enough, that it's almost like a habit?

Your program needs a change...

For example if you love to run and love it passionately, you will have no problems sticking with this kind of program. But, go for another 6 months to a year and you will find yourself unchallenged and bored. You'll find when you are taking more than 3 days off, it is harder to get back and eventually YOU quit.

I am a passionate runner, sometimes I train for races and sometimes I just run for the enjoyment. When I take more than 3 days off I don't find it hard to get back, because I'm mixing up my runs and doing other exercises.

Why?

I'm preventing boredom, over training and even injury!

• Do a little running on the treadmill.
• Go out in the snow.
• Go for a swim.
• Work out on some weights.
• Buy a new outfit for working out.
• Run on a different rout.
• Run with different people.
• Make you own running club and have a blast!

Then...add some Yoga, stretches, join a fitness club or join a running team.

The problem with doing the same thing week, after week... after week is it becomes too much of the same thing and you push yourself to do something you don't want to do anymore!
You need a change and get creative!

I know we are creatures of habit, but when it comes to exercise make sure you don't lose your passion and keep it fun!

If you are running and loving it right now or doing any fitness program make sure you are enjoying it...
*Pay Attention for the nudge to change so that the next time you are taking more than 3 days off you don't end up quitting entirely!

Running Posture

Bad Running Posture

I've been running for a very long time, but what I realized when I run lately is that I may have developed a bad habit and that is bad posture running! I'm finding at the end of my runs lately, especially my long runs, that I am slightly slumped and using my arms too much. I have been really trying to work on my core training, focusing on my stomach and back, but I really think posture is important too at building a good body core. Running better is really about being conscious of your posture while you run too.

So...

I did a test.

• I ran a 5Km being completely conscious of my posture.

After coming back from the run with better posture, my running times where about a minute faster then usual! I couldn't believe it, because to be honest I wasn't putting a lot of speed effort into it. What a surprise! I ran with my knees higher and my back straighter, looking straight ahead. I constantly thought of a beam of light that would need a good path to shine down through my body, starting from the top of my head down between my feet.

• Then another day I ran and didn't concentrate or think about posture.

After doing a regular run with my regular posture my times were slower...About a minute slower. I actually felt more tired at the end of my run.

This may have had to do with a whole host of issues, but to see if posture has something to do with my runs, I think I'll try this for a couple of weeks. I'll let you know what my findings are!

Do You Have Bad Posture Running?
Stay in tune to your posture and you might run faster---Build a good core, and you'll run with good posture!
I just thought I'd leave a note and let you in on a great article for improving your posture!