I whole-heartedly agree with the comments of almost_n_s.

I've put on weight since starting running but I look slimmer and I can tell when I put my jeans on that I'm losing a bit around my stomach.

I'm also getting fitter which feels great. Its nice to have the extra energy that I'm getting and also its nice to get into bed and feel genuinely physically tired.

I think the key is sticking at it long enough to get the 'bug'.. I'm getting there I think.

I still find it hard to drag myself out on a run but I feel brilliant once I've finished.

As for dieting. I think doing some exercise gives you a much greater freedom when it comes to foods. I quite like having the odd chocolate or meal out and don't feel guilty because I know that I'm exercising as well.

I would guess that the more you exercise, the fitter you become and the longer you can exercise for.. so I would assume that the weight will come off faster and faster as time goes on and you get fitter... at least that's what I'm hoping

I started running at 14st 6lbs - I'm 6ft 2" and that weight is apparently the top-end of my 'healthy' spectrum for my height. Even though tall, I could still feel the excess weight and it was an unpleasant feeling. After a year and a half of running - I never bothered with weighing scales in the first year or so, I decided to weigh myself again out of curiosity as people who I hadn't seen for ages said I looked like I'd lost loads of weight. My weight had dropped to 11st 5lbs. I'd dropped 3stones!! During that first year I avoided singled-out cheese, crisps, and cakes and I was never a chocolate lover anyway. Funny thing is, I never stopped eating a large doner kebab on Friday night, or a pizza, and I still enjoyed drinking regularly. I started eating lighter during the day instead - this was THE key to it for me. I would take a large granary bap with a full tin of tuna on it (very filling and virtually no fat), and a banana for lunch at work and would often eat that late morning approaching midday. I would feel healthily stuffed after eating that and it would last me until evening. Breakfast might be just bran flakes or a piece of toast. In the evening I would eat quite late, perhaps 8'o clock onwards after running in the evening. I used to run 3 times a week for 20-25 minutes and then run longer on sundays up to about 6-7 miles at most. One thing though - I never skipped a run, and i would run two days on the bounce next time if I had to. I never weigh myself these days, I just know that if I can feel the pinch on my waist it's time to be sensible for a few days. I eat pretty much anything now. eat a bit, run a bit, that's my philosophy

It is important to consider how overweight you are before starting to run. I actually started running after I had lost all my excess weight. I used to be 17 stone, at 6 foot 1 inch, and at that time I purposely did non impact exercise ( I bought an expensive exercise bike and did an hour and a half every night on the highest resistance). I also cut out all saturated fats etc for a year and a half. I didn't go running then, because I figured all that weight would have completely screwed my knees. Anyway, I got down to a healthy 11 and a half stone this way, then took up running when my bike finally broke to maintain my weight. I'm not as strict about my diet, although it is generally healthy, but the running has made sure I stay at this weight. Didn't even put a pound on over the holidays But if you are really heavy, you have to be very careful about running, and certainly try and avoid hard surfaces, because you really don't want too much stress on the knees.

Did anyone watch that Jamie Oliver program on Weds night? taking a section of the general public... all about how people are eating themselves to death...

There was a part where they took a cross section of a deceased 28stone Male... comparing him to a 12st male, and in part highlighting the knees... 28st guys looked pretty painful to be walking with, letalone running!

Hi guys I'm Sara and I am so new to this and need any suggestions for a novice runner as only used to treadmill at gym which am ok at but wish to start running properly and raise my fitness level. Any advice out there guys?!!

I didn't think I could afford to lose much weight but have dropped from 11 and a half stone to 11 stone in the past month or so since running regularly again. Maybe this is my natural weight :-S

hi wingfinger, whilst your intention is right training eveyday, even though it varies, is potentially putting yourself at risk of injury, which means you may have to stop and all your good work will be undone sorry to bring a negative note but you have to factor some recovery time intoyour training programme .

good luck with your weight loss size 10 here we come !!

please let the forum know how you are progressing were all behind a new slimmer you !!!!

Hi Sara like yourself I'm a complete beginner and have asked the same question as you just about a week ago. I got some fantastic advice on the thread I started which is about 5 topics down this page.

cheriton normally I only exercise 5 days a week and give myself a couple of rest days, not sure how this has worked out as being like this this past week but I didn't bother going to the gym last night as I seem to have caught a cold.

Did my last run/walk session of the week today and no more so I'm only the next stage next week as long as I can get rid of this cold.