Can running reduce stomach fat?

Mr Williams said:
Surely it does? As running burns "body fat" and your stomach is a big part of that!
Click to expand...

Afraid that's not how it works. :)

Running doesn't burn bodyfat, in fact exercise alone doesn't. It's how your body chooses to use it's fuel for energy that dictates these things. And a lot of the fat burning takes place after exercise (up to 24hrs in fact).

Eating the right things, and how your hormones behave to the different stimuli is the thing to concentrate on - however that gets far too indepth.

As BBx, myself and others have said, a combination of exercises, HIIT, and a structured diet (which is the most important for fat loss) will put you onto the path of fat reduction.

You could run 100km (just making a point - 100km would be mad :p) every day and still hold fat if you're not eating the right amounts, and if your body is able to cope with the exercise, your body will not be using fat for fuel - you have to get your heart into the fat burning zone, but also think about how you refuel your body. If you become uber fit, your body will cope with the stress of running easily - that's why programs such as HIIT, and doing some anaerobic exercises are actually much more beneficial to fat reducing, or at least calorie utilisation. There's a sequence for how your body fuels itself for exercise - which is why a lot of steady state cardio experts eat a lot of carbs as it boosts their glycogen levels reducing the time they are running depleated.

Diet will be the main factor, but a variation of exercises will help accelerate it. Of course, running will use calories, and you will shed weight (not necessarily fat) if your calorific intake is lower than your output - that's just basic fact, but most people are interested in retaining muscle tone whilst reducing the fat they don't want. THAT, is a lot more involved.

It doesn't have to be that complicated though - eat the right foods, do some varied exercises, and that's it really.

Of course if you run lots, and just don't eat lots and get the balance right, you wont lose weight or gain any, and a lot of fun/professional/amateur runners are slim and low bodyfat as they have got their calorific balances just right.
 
Too add also, that running copious distances without a decent diet can result in protein catabolism too, so your body will use muscle as energy NOT fat.
 
Dude, running and eating more sensibly will help reduce your bodyfat. Fat is utilised through oxidisation, which kicks in 12-20 minutes after you start exercising, although it provides only 50% of your fuel at best efficiency.

Don't eat carp. If it comes in a fancy packet, or isn't made by nature, avoid it (breads, pastas, sweets, cakes, fizzy pops, sausages, biscuits, granola bars) and aim to eat around 1900kcals a day, if the shift doesn't happen, drop by 150-200kcals and continue. If you feel dizzy, tired or starving, increase by 100kcals.

Stress about the more complex things when you get into it.

Ant :cool:
 
Indeed as muscle is quicker than fat to metabolise into energy (sucks doesn't it :(), and offers good useful calories since your body has can process muscle in less time to generate energy. The body has to work harder to convert fat into useful energy.
 
WantoN said:
Dude, running and eating more sensibly will help reduce your bodyfat. Fat is utilised through oxidisation, which kicks in 12-20 minutes after you start exercising, although it provides only 50% of your fuel at best efficiency.

Don't eat carp. If it comes in a fancy packet, or isn't made by nature, avoid it (breads, pastas, sweets, cakes, fizzy pops, sausages, biscuits, granola bars) and aim to eat around 1900kcals a day, if the shift doesn't happen, drop by 150-200kcals and continue. If you feel dizzy, tired or starving, increase by 100kcals.

Stress about the more complex things when you get into it.

Ant :cool:
Click to expand...

icon14.gif


As ever a great post.
 
BrightonBelle said:
I think you boys should try pole dancing... ;) nothing like some proper core blasting to get that stomach fat down!

BB x
Click to expand...

I already have my place in the front row :D

I'm gradually winding the weights down now, concentrating more of general fitness and stability. The weight has dropped of me but because I keep my cardio to short sessions, catobolism is evaded meaning I preserve muscle fibres. I've also found the core work i do very effective fat burn because it's a 30 minutes session on a Friday afternoon, with minimal break/pauses. I use a pulley system as the heights/weights are quickly interchangeable.
 
Banzai_Joe said:
However, are you talking about stomach fat, or just a sticking out stomach? Differences are quite obvious really.
Click to expand...
That is only visible when I'm bending forward a lot. When I'm standing it is not so visible:

Von Smallhausen said:
I have noticed a reduction in stomach fat since I started running again but diet is a major factor. Never a truer word spoken.
Click to expand...

CaptainRAVE said:
I am sure some people will suggest situps - these are the worst thing you can do if you want to make your stomach smaller.
Click to expand...

I've been doing these, but was told the same thing, so I stopped.
 
I just wanted to add that building muscle also makes a belly look more in proportion. I was pretty 'skinny fat' and was always looking to loss weight to get rid of the belly. I only had a 28 inch waist but it looked big because I had very little muscle. Now that I'm nearing a 30 inch waist but have a bit more muscle about it looks better somehow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom