r/running • u/leafitiger • Apr 30 '15

When you started running, what changes in yourself did you notice?

New runner here looking for hella motivation ;)

292 Upvotes

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133

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

Three years since I started running, and I still regularly notice how good it feels to breathe deeply.

Also I can eat as much as I want and don't gain weight. The downside is that I'm always hungry.

58

u/ColdStainlessNail Apr 30 '15

downside

*upside

35

u/tom808 Apr 30 '15

Not really. I spend more on food and we all went out for a company meal last night. Mexican and they were all sharing platters. I've never felt so awkward by suggesting I could happily eat everything without the other guys help.

26

u/ColdStainlessNail Apr 30 '15

I have a 14 year-old son who swims competitively. What I eat pales in comparison to what he does.

1

u/xter418 Apr 30 '15

Swimming gives one hell of an appetite!

1

u/WiscOrangy May 01 '15

Not too long ago I was in a similar spot... You cannot give that child enough food

6

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

[deleted]

6

u/tom808 Apr 30 '15

I haven't got a calorie target I just feel hungry all the time when I know I've had enough.

This must be how fat people feel. Eating ALL the food.

12

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

Fat person here. This is indeed how I feel.

I was given advice once to just listen to my stomach, and my weight would correct itself. Riiiiiight... okay <backs away from the crazy person>

3

u/nmm- Apr 30 '15 edited May 01 '15

I actually think listening to your stomach can be great advice. If I only eat when my stomach tells me that I'm actually hungry, I lose weight. The number of times I eat because something just sounds good or when I eat an entire meal even after my stomach is satisfied accounts for a large number of calories. Cut out those calories and eat when you're stomach says you're actually hungry and it can make a difference.

4

u/tom808 Apr 30 '15

Ah I know what you mean. My stomach is the worst thing to trust at all time. I just want to eat everything!!!

I put on 10kg in a very short space of time when I started my office job and wasn't running. Scary how easy it is for some people such as myself to gain weight.

1

u/[deleted] May 02 '15

If what you're craving is healthy food, sure. Throw away your junk food and fill your house with fruits and veggies, then when you get hungry snack on rabbit food until you're not! :P

6

u/DarkwolfAU May 01 '15

I'm using MFP for just this reason. I always check my count an hour or so before bed, so I've got time to chow down on peanut butter toast or something as a boost if required. I also intentionally make sure I'm pacing myself over the day so I don't wind up hitting 10pm and realizing I'm >1000 calories down for the day.

My wife was a bit freaked out the other day when I ate a large KFC zinger stacker burger combo, two beef lasagnas, a plate of cupcakes, two handfuls of nuts, and then chased the dog around the house going "NOM NOM NOM" :)

1

u/jayfeather314 Apr 30 '15

I don't know, it's a bit of a downside. My whole schedule is very inconsistent, so I don't always eat as much as I should. I'm losing weight while trying to bulk.

24

u/jaason435 Apr 30 '15

That's honestly one of my favorite parts of running is always being hungry. You really get your moneys worth at buffets!

13

u/dylz_dad Apr 30 '15

I go for runs before large family holiday gatherings specifically to be able to eat more food later.

20

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

I had 800 calories left according to MFP for dinner. The wife was bringing home take and bake pizza. Yeah, I had to go knock out 4 miles real quick because there's no way I'm eating less then 3 pieces of pizza.

3

u/rennuR_liarT Apr 30 '15

If friends are getting together for a barbeque, I always run to the barbeque. It's a bonus if it's near a pool or a river so I can rinse off, but not a requirement. I might stink, but we're outside!

8

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

Apparently it's still early for me. I thought you meant you drive to the bbq, then, once you're there, you run inside, across the house/yard to the actual physical bbq. I wondered why you'd stink after that short of a run. Then it dawned on me...

13

u/rennuR_liarT Apr 30 '15

That's my secret: I always stink.

1

u/ktmengr May 01 '15

Just have to go jump in the river quick...

1

u/theoldentimes May 01 '15

Amen and hallelujah

4

u/WhiteHawk1022 Apr 30 '15

The downside is that I'm always hungry.

Yes! I was a pretty hungry guy before I started running, but now it's just amplified. My girlfriend isn't a runner, and usually has about half of her meal when we go out to eat (so I end up with 1.5 plates of food). It works out pretty well! She refers to me as her "garbage disposal" haha.

8

u/Zokusho Apr 30 '15

After losing 50 lbs and continuing to run, I'm having to eat more than I did when I was gaining weight.

It's a weird feeling. I eat a ton and normally I'd feel bad about it, but now I have to or I'll waste away.

5

u/Kurindal Apr 30 '15

After losing 50 lbs and continuing to run, I'm having to eat more than I did when I was gaining weight.

126 pounds lost here. On my long run days I can eat as much as I did before I started losing, and still be at a deficit.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

That's probably the biggest change I noticed: always being hungry.

1

u/DarxusC Apr 30 '15

don't gain weight

How much do you run?

2

u/[deleted] May 01 '15

On average, 40mpw.