Will Running Make Me Skinny
If you clicked on this article, you’re probably looking for answers to this pervasive question, “Can running help me lose weight?” Here at the Badass Lady Gang, we call this kind of thinking Poison Punch. We live in a world where it’s impossible to escape diet culture, a multi-billion-dollar industry that thrives on making us feel like we’re not good enough. It insists that our size is a problem to be solved. But let’s get one thing straight: chasing thinness isn’t the path to health or happiness.
Understanding Diet Culture and Fat-Phobia
Diet culture is deeply ingrained in our society. It’s the belief system that equates thinness to health and moral virtue, creating a relentless pursuit of weight loss at any cost. This mindset is inherently tied to fat-phobia, which is the implicit and explicit bias against people who are overweight or fat. Fat-phobia is not just about personal prejudice; it’s a systemic issue intertwined with racism, classism, and misogyny.
According to the Boston Medical Center, fat-phobia contributes to inadequate healthcare because of the assumption that overweight individuals cannot be healthy. This bias is exacerbated by the lack of medical training on treating patients with diverse body sizes and the structural barriers in clinical settings, like exam tables and medical equipment that don’t accommodate larger bodies.
The Myth of the “Perfect” Body
We need to dismantle the idea that there is a perfect body type. As Dr. Lindsay Kite and Dr. Lexie Kite emphasize in their work, body image resilience is about rejecting the notion that our value is tied to our appearance. The Kites’ research shows that focusing on body functionality and what our bodies can do—rather than how they look—is key to building a positive self-image.
Sonya Renee Taylor, another prominent body neutrality activist, echoes this sentiment. In her book, The Body Is Not an Apology, Taylor argues that we need to unlearn the societal norms that dictate our self-worth based on our appearance. She encourages us to practice radical self-love and acceptance, understanding that our bodies are not problems to be fixed.
Why Running Shouldn’t Be About Weight Loss
Running with a weight loss goal in mind can lead to unhealthy behaviors and short-term solutions with long-term consequences. It can trap you in a calorie-deficit mindset, which is detrimental to female athletes. Your primary goal should be to stay out of Low Energy Availability, where you’re not consuming enough calories to support your training and daily activities. Running fasted or dieting can severely impact your performance and health.
Reasons to Run That Have Nothing to Do with Weight
To Get Stronger: Running strengthens your muscles, improves your cardiovascular health, and builds endurance. These physical gains are far more rewarding than any number on a scale.
A Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a run, whether it’s your first 5K or a marathon, provides a profound sense of achievement and boosts your confidence.
Community: Running often connects you with a supportive community. Sharing your journey with others can be incredibly motivating and enriching.
Having Something to Look Forward To: Setting and achieving running goals gives you something positive to focus on and work towards.
An Opportunity to See What You’re Capable Of: Running challenges you to push your limits and discover your strengths, both mentally and physically.
Ditch the Scale
Throw away your scale. Health and fitness are not defined by a number. There are countless ways to set and achieve goals that have nothing to do with weight. Focus on performance-based goals, like running a certain distance or improving your pace. These are measurable, tangible achievements that don’t rely on your body size.
And, studies have shown that regular self-weighing, especially when done daily or weekly, can lead to negative psychological outcomes, such as increased body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, and heightened preoccupation with weight and shape. THROW OUT YOUR SCALE.
Shifting Your Focus to Real Health
We know ditching diet culture is hard. It’s a lifelong battle, but it does get easier. If you’re thinking about losing weight, ask yourself what you hope to feel if you achieve that. Are you looking for more energy? Strength? Improved daily function? These are goals you can pursue without tying them to weight loss. Running can help you make these changes a reality without the need to lose weight.
Health Is a Lifestyle, Not a Look
Health is not about appearance; it’s a lifestyle. Regular physical activity, like running, contributes to overall health in mind, body, and spirit. If running sounds like a fun challenge, join us! Our plans and experiences are designed to help you achieve your personal best, whether you’re starting from scratch, getting back into running, or aiming for a new personal record.
Embracing Your Unique Journey
Every runner is different, and that’s something to celebrate. Runners are endurance athletes who come in all shapes and sizes. What’s important is not how you look, but how you feel and what your body can achieve. Your journey is unique, and it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in movement.
Practical Tips for New Runners
Start Slowly: If you’re new to running, begin with short distances and gradually increase your mileage. This helps prevent injuries and makes running more enjoyable. (Looking for a become a runner training plan? Try Coach Kelly’s free Become a Runner plan! It comes with guided runs so she can make you laugh through the entire 8-weeks.)
Fuel Properly: Eat balanced meals that provide the energy you need for running. Don’t skimp on carbs, proteins, or fats. Your body needs all three to perform well. Fat isn’t evil. NEITHER IS SUGAR. Sports drink is your friend. A calorie is a unit of energy and guess what you need? ENERGY.
Hydrate: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially during and after your runs. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Reach for those sports drinks during exercise. Salt and sugar are GOOD FOR YOU AS AN ATHLETE DURING EXERCISE.
Stretch and Foam Roll: Incorporate stretching and foam rolling into your routine to improve flexibility and reduce muscle soreness.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels. Rest when you need to and don’t push through pain. It’s better to take a break than to risk injury.
Building a Sustainable Running Routine
Consistency is key to making running a part of your life. Find a routine that works for you and stick with it. Whether it’s morning runs, evening jogs, or weekend long runs, consistency will help you build endurance and improve over time.
Finding Support and Motivation
Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your running journey. Join a running group or find a running buddy. Sharing your progress and challenges with others can keep you motivated and accountable. Join our free online Badass Lady Gang Community and see if there’s a chapter in your city!
The Bottom Line: Love Your Body, Enjoy the Journey
Running is about so much more than weight loss. It’s a way to strengthen your body, clear your mind, and connect with a community. It’s an opportunity to discover what you’re capable of and to feel a sense of accomplishment. Embrace your unique journey, love your body, and enjoy the process.
Remember, you’re pretty great just the way you are. Screw dieting and f*ck diet culture. Running is about celebrating what your body can do, not changing how it looks. So lace up your shoes, hit the pavement, and run for the joy of it.
For more support and inspiration, join our Badass Lady Gang community. We have plenty of training plans and experiences available to help you chase down your personal best, whether you're a beginner or an experienced runner. Let's run strong together!