Jogging and Weight Loss

Jogging burns calories, boosts fitness and increases energy, endurance, and agility. Jogging 30 minutes at least three times a week can help you maintain a healthy weight. Jogging to lose weight, however, is more complicated.

  1. The Beginner

    • Beginners must be careful while they become acclimated to jogging. Start by walking, and gradually add periods of jogging.

    The Very Overweight

    • An overweight person embarking on a jogging routine can put a great deal of stress on the heart, as well as injure the legs, ankles, feet and back.

    Rest and Recovery

    • Because of the high stress jogging puts on the body -- especially an overweight body -- rest is essential between jogs. Recovery from injury can be lengthy, and inactivity will make weight-loss goals harder to reach.

    Speed

    • The faster you run, the more calories you burn in the same amount of time, and the more pounds you are apt to lose.

    Slimmer Figure

    • Joggers who run more than 10 miles a week tend to have slimmer waists, narrower hips, and lower blood pressure.

    Calorie Counts Vary

    • The number of calories burned during a jog differs depending on sex, weight, height, and distance and duration of jogging. A 130-lb. woman will burn about 255 calories on a 3-mile jog, while a 180-lb. man will burn roughly 350 calories.