Should I run fast or slow to lose weight?

Author: Colt Stiedemann  |  Last update: Friday, January 2, 2026

Accordingly, 30 minutes of fast-paced running will burn 368 calories, and one hour of moderate-paced running will burn 592 calories. While it is true that faster running burns calories at a faster pace, slow burns more calories in total.

Is it better to run faster or slower to lose weight?

Running fast typically burns more calories per mile compared to running at a slower pace. Higher intensity activities like sprinting or fast-paced running elevate heart rate and metabolism, resulting in greater calorie expenditure. However, individual factors such as fitness level and body composition also play a role.

What is the best speed to run for weight loss?

A moderate to vigorous intensity is most effective. Moderate intensity, around 5-6 mph (8-9.7 km/h), allows conversation but slight breathlessness; this burns calories and improves fitness. Vigorous intensity, 6-8 mph (9.7-12.9 km/h), increases calorie burn and metabolic rate, effective for weight loss.

Is it better to run 1 mile fast or 2 miles slow?

As others have said it depends on your goals. However, the vast majority of your runs should be done slower for longer distances. If your goal is to compete in shorter, faster races then you'll want to do a little bit more speed work that's tailored to the events you want to do.

What is the 70 30 rule for weight loss?

What is the 70/30 diet? The 70/30 diet isn't a diet, per se—but rather the idea that 70 percent of weight loss comes from what you eat and 30 percent is influenced by exercise. In other words, a healthy diet paired with regular physical activity should create enough of a calorie deficit to help you lose weight.

Top 10 Tips To Lose Weight By Running!

Can I lose 50 pounds in 3 months?

Yes, it's possible to lose 50 pounds in three months, but it's important to understand that this requires a significant commitment and might not be a healthy approach for everyone. While rapid weight loss is achievable, setting realistic goals based on your body's needs and current health is essential.

How to lose 5 pounds in a week?

If you want to lose 5 pounds in a week, you will need to reduce your food intake by 17,500 calories, which is a huge calorie deficit. If you weigh 250-pound, you will need to reduce your daily calorie intake to about 1,250 calories per day, an amount that is too low amounting to starvation.

Do you burn more calories if you run faster?

Speed: The faster you run, the more calories you burn. Your cells work harder than usual when you run quickly, so you burn more calories, Cynthia Sass, RDN, Health's contributing nutrition editor, told Health. That means you'll burn more calories running three miles in 30 minutes than in 45 minutes.

What is a good distance to run everyday?

Try to start with one to three miles per day if you are new to running. Stay closer to the one-mile end if you don't currently do much exercise. If you hike, bike, or do something similar, you may want to see how you do running three miles a day. As you gain more miles over time, your heart and lungs become stronger.

Is it better to jog slow or fast?

While both running styles can improve health, running longer is better for cardiovascular and muscular endurance. If you're looking to build your aerobic capacity and stamina, longer distance runs at a slower pace are your best bet, according to the experts. However, it's important to stay consistent.

Will I run faster if I lose 20 pounds?

One of the easiest ways to get faster is, simply, to lose weight. For every pound you lose, science says that you will run approximately two seconds faster per mile. This doesn't sound like much, but let's do some math.

Is it better to run at night or morning for weight loss?

A new study offers clues that could help maximize your efforts. Exercising between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. has been associated with having a lower waist circumference and body mass index than people who work out during midday or evening, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Obesity.

What is the healthiest speed to lose weight?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends trying to limit weight loss to one or two pounds per week. It might seem slow, but people who do that are more likely to keep the weight off. If you want or need to lose weight faster than one to two pounds per week, don't try fad diets or severely limit your calories.

Do you run faster if you're skinnier?

But again, knowing you can lose some of your extra pounds is an easy way to boost your speed. Overall, you can say that for every excess percent that you become lighter, you also become one percent faster. This makes sense, because you use less energy when you are lighter, while your heart-lung system is unchanged.

What type of running is best for fat loss?

The 3 Most Effective Running Workouts For Losing Weight
  1. Aerobic intervals. In this type of interval training, the ratio between work and recovery is 1 to 2. ...
  2. Intervals at your 5k race pace. In these intervals, the work and recovery periods are equal. ...
  3. Continuous run at your 10k race pace.

What is the 80 20 rule for running distance?

It's called 80/20 training—essentially, doing light workouts 80 percent of the time and pushing yourself at a challenging level 20 percent of the time.

Is running 2 miles a day enough?

Running 2 miles a day has many health benefits and can be very motivating. And since it's easier to sustain than other running plans, it's a good way to get you moving every day.

Is running 7 days a week bad?

Many running experts recommend running no more than four days a week. More than that, and all the repetitive impact may take a toll on these lower-body muscles.

Should I run longer or faster to lose weight?

Faster runners burn more fat and carbs, use more muscle fibers, and burn calories more efficiently. On the flip side, fast running requires more recovery time and is not suitable for every day. Benefits for distance runners include improved endurance and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

How to burn 1000 calories in a day?

Running, cycling, swimming, and rowing are all great options for hitting your calorie burn target.
  1. Running: To burn 1000 calories in a day, a 75 kg person running at 10 km/h can burn around 600 calories in an hour. ...
  2. Cycling: Biking at 18-20 km/h can help you burn 600-800 calories in an hour.

Does running 1 mile burn the same as walking 1 mile?

If you're just not in the mood for a high-powered run, or you're never gonna be, this is a standard question. Let's take into account calorie burn and effort. Generally, walking burns about half the calories as running over the same distance and takes about twice as long.

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

What is the 30/30/30 rule for weight loss?

The 30/30/30 is a weight loss method that involves eating 30 g of protein within the first 30 minutes of your day and following it with 30 minutes of light exercise. This morning routine is rooted in sound science, and it could be a good way to increase your capacity to burn fat while keeping lean muscle.

Is losing 6 pounds noticeable?

CDC further recommends that you need to lose around 5-10% of your total body weight to notice changes. For instance, if you weigh 170 pounds, you need to lose roughly 8.3-17 pounds to notice a difference.

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