A 5K race makes working out FUN! – Give it a try. Running an organized 5K event is fun, and once you get there you will see that they really are for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. There is an amazing energy and excitement that you feel being around people with a common goal.
You burn more calories – The more calories you burn, the more weight you can lose. You need to train for your 5k which means you have to run; running is a great calorie burning cardio exercise.
You will have a reason to run – As I just stated, running is a fantastic form of cardiovascular exercise that adds to your daily calorie burning. Motivation to run can be hard to come by, but putting that 5k race date on your calendar gives you the extra push you need to go out and run more.
It gives you another goal – If you can’t yet run 3.1 miles — the distance of a 5k race — training for it compliments your goal of losing weight since you will be burning calories as you run. If you can run 3.1 miles, now is the time to push yourself to run faster and burn more calories along the way.
It can get you to workout more – You have an LA Fitness membership so you should get the most out of it. Cross-training, adding in core and strength development to your workout, enhances your ability to run further and faster. Getting into the gym more helps your goal of losing weight and running your 5k race.
Prove to yourself you can accomplish difficult tasks – Keeping yourself in a positive mindset can mean everything at times. Proving to yourself that you can finish a 5k will help you realize that difficult goals can be attained.
You’re not racing to win; you’re racing to LOSE…WEIGHT! – Don’t be intimidated by the fact that it is a “race,” you are only competing with your personal goal of running faster or simply making it to the finish line. The race refers to the professional heat that invitational runners compete in; you just get to run the same course and enjoy playing on the course the pros run. It’s like going to a professional baseball game and getting to play before your favorite team takes the field! Now you get to participate before the big race and support your favorite athletes on the same day!
This article should not replace any dietary restrictions or medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your primary care physician.
and running a 5K can help you to keep the weight off once you have lost the weight too.
Running, my profession, is a great way to lose weight. The weight loss comes from the miles. For someone close to an ideal weight range for their height and running at a pace appx. 60%-70% of age predicted heart rate max (equation for target heart rates: [(220-age)-resting heart rate X desired % + resting heart rate] you will burn around 100 calories per mile. So 3 miles, 300 calories. Heavier runners or faster paces will increase this number slightly, but not by a huge margain. When I am peaking for the 5k I may run 75 miles a week. Do the math: that’s somewhere between 7500-9000 calories a week! I know most people don’t run this amount of mileage, but hopefully this can get your mental gears working thinking about the possibilities out there for you if you start running to lose weight.
I would love to run but I have knees issue, any tips?
Cecile, I too have knee issues. I use the c25k app on my phone, or you can go to that website, just google it. I don’t run but I walk a fast pace. and get a pair of good running shoes helps.
Now I can run more than 5 kilometres because I’m following your advices thak you
I WANT TO RUN 5K…HOW?