Working out or physical exercise – of a good enough intensity – obviously helps in losing weight. If that theory is true, then marathon training that involves running nearly 50 miles a week must be very helpful in terms of burning away those extra fat deposits around the waist. But that’s not the case. Why is marathon training not a suggested method for losing weight?
The very basic concept that goes against taking up marathon training as a means for fat lose is obvious – the pain of taking so much strain, when other very effective methods are available, and the need to consume more food in the process as running burns away so much calories each time (extended energy levels is a necessity in marathon training). Stressing on the latter point, if after consuming the necessary food, due to some reason, if the marathon sessions become irregular or the distance is not punctually maintained and gradually increased periodically, it eventually will lead to an increased weight instead of actually reducing it. Summing things up, an overall assessment of marathon training reveals that the entire exercise requires a hell of a lot of preparation, planning and personal endurance for a few pounds of weight loss. But, given the fact that the same thing can be achieved through other simple workouts, then what is the need to run around this much, especially if you are not an athlete?
Another aspect to take note of in marathon training is that simply running a few miles does not actually contribute to fat loss as the body may possibly derive its required energy for sustaining the run from its stored carbohydrates and proteins. In fact, the amount of fat that is used by muscles as fuel during the marathon training depends on an assortment of other factors such as one’s training history, the extent of physical strain expended on running (how hard the person is running), the slow twitch fiber concentration in the muscles, and the contents of the last menu he/she had and the time interval since the person finished the meal and started running. Theoretically, it is possible to tune the body or muscles to use more fat instead of carbohydrates and proteins as a predominant source of fuel, but a lot of effort goes behind this before it could be said that the body actually has started responding accordingly. For example, weeks of hard endurance training and aerobic exercises might be required to tune the muscles to use more fat than carbohydrates or proteins for a supply of energy. But, there is no definite rule or theory that could suggest a definite success rate, as it also depends on the person’s physical self and genetic aspects as well. Again, it is this complexity and ambiguity in generalizing the details that goes against marathon training.
From the foregoing, it can be concluded that marathon training, even though, technically may be able to burn away unwanted fat deposits from the body, on a practical scale, is not worthy enough, owing to the huge physical effort needed and the obscurity in the surety of results it offers in the end. For someone looking for a suitable workout to lose fat, marathon training should be your last option.
