Running question!

[binkers663]

So I am currently training for a 5K that is coming up in about a month and I have been steadily working my way up to currently being able to run 2 miles straight for the past couple of months. I am taking it easy because i have never been a runner before and I don't want to injure myself.

Here is a sample of a workout I have been doing this week:
walk 3.5 mph on a 4% incline - 5-7 minutes
run 2 miles at about 5.5 mph
walk 4 mph on a 6% incline until I reach 40 minutes.
cool down 5-7 minutes

I have been doing something similar to this 3-4 times a week along with cross training on the elliptical and stationary bike once or twice a week. I have also been doing an ab workout 4 days a week. I have also changed my eating habits drastically so that I am eating about 600 calories less than I used to every day.

My question is..why am I not losing weight??? I have been stuck at 175 since I started running and it's just not coming off. Should I start lifting weights, cross training more, change the intensity?

I will consider any advice, I need help badly!

 

[matthigh31]

You could be gaining muscle, look in the mirror? do you look any difference?? How many calories a day are you eating? do your jeans fit different?

 

[maleficent]

I have also changed my eating habits drastically so that I am eating about 600 calories less than I used to every da

so you're eating 600 calories less than what you used to - ok - what are you used to - how many are you eating now?

 

[spike99]

.

Another reason for lack of `continued weight loss` (or a "plateau" - as some call it) is because your body has become "comfortable" with its current exercises. As a suggestion, try introducing more cardio exercises as well. For example, skipping rope for 500 jumps, some swimming, some kick boxing and some peddle bike riding. Exercises that still contributes to your jogging distance goal but an exercise that your body isn't "used to". With "more variety" of exercises, your body is pulled out of its current plateau state. Works for me - in my body's 3 previous plateau time periods.

.

 

[SturdyWings]

I have one piece of advice for you:

Unless your running competition takes place on a treadmill, get your butt outside and go for a real run. Running on a treadmill and running outside are two completely different things. You can master a treadmill and still be horribly unfit to run outside.

 

[A_CRUCE_SALUS]

I have one piece of advice for you:

Unless your running competition takes place on a treadmill, get your butt outside and go for a real run. Running on a treadmill and running outside are two completely different things. You can master a treadmill and still be horribly unfit to run outside.

Amen to that!!! Last week I decided to try and run home from the place where I get my oil changed at... talk about jogging at a snails pace! I about died. Way different. I think your body takes a beating on the pavement. Id like to work up to being able to complete the couch 2 5k on the pavement

 

[mahkeymike]

I have also changed my eating habits drastically so that I am eating about 600 calories less than I used to every day.

My question is..why am I not losing weight??? I have been stuck at 175 since I started running and it's just not coming off.
I will consider any advice, I need help badly!

All that running, you should have lost atleast some weight.I dont think you hit a plateau, since your saying you havent even lost any weight yet.

My guess is even though your eating 600 calories less, your still eating more then your metabolism can burn.

A perfect example is that before my diet, i used to eat over 3000 Calories a day and it would take a long time for me to gain weight past 200 for some reason.Even if i i reduced my calorie intake to lets say 2000 , I would just be maintaining my current weight even though i reduced my calorie intake by twice as much as its generally suggested to lose 1lb a week.Diet effects everyone differently.

 

[binkers663]

Thanks for all of the answers!
I probably should have phrased how many calories I am eating better than that. I meant to say that I decreased my calorie intake to about 600 less than what it takes for me to maintain my weight. So I eat about 1500-1700 calories a day. I eat a little more on the days I work out in order to fuel my runs.

matt-If I am gaining muscle, it's still hiding beneath the fat My jeans are a little looser, but I was hoping for more results than this..maybe I'm just being impatient.

SturdyWings- I have been putting this off for months because I live in Michigan and the weather changes here by the hour haha. Also, I have heard that running outside is more difficult...that could be another reason I have put it off. It's in the 50s today so maybe I will attempt my run outside tonight.