Who has quit running and started lifting weights? Results?

Calling some serious BS on 5'6", 175 pounds and 5 minute mile. No way.

I've gained 30 lbs in the 3.5 years that I stopped running and started lifting. If you eat like a high mileage runner while lifting you can gain some pretty serious muscle relatively easily.

Moby Dick wrote:

I'm a 17:50's 5k guy. I realized, who the heck cares? I don't love "running", I simply love fitness. This week I quit running and did my first full week of weight lifting at the gym. I got to eat more, and it felt good to hit the weights. I just don't know how to balance the cardio. I'm committing to 2 months of this and then deciding what to do: return to running, or continue to bulk up. Anyone quit running (almost completely) and were able to go from skinny runner to a more fit muscular look but not quite Ryan Hall look?

Isn't "Crossfit" what you should be checking out?

I just wanted to use the name old 880 dude. I have nothing to say.

Basically paleo/LCHF. Meat, fish, eggs, lots of varied veggies, healthy saturated fats like butterfat, coconut and olive oil, avocado, nuts (no seed or grain-derived oils). Organic and pastured when possible and reasonable (I am not rich, but good food is priority #1). Almost never eat out. Sometimes I eat fruit and have a beer or wine, maybe three times/week. Net carbs under 75g per day. Macros 70f/15c/15p

4:20 miler wrote:

What is your diet like?

I come from a football background, and ran track during hs. My football strength training from 15-22 built a lifetime of muscle strength and lean mass. Over the years, I've shifted my approach and have now worked up to 30-35 mpw while still lifting weights (mostly kb's) 3x a week. Contrary to popular belief the whole "hip reps, low weights" for distance runners just doesn't make sense. That's classic hypertrophy (body building) training. You can build a great base of strength focusing on reps 4-7 range, and not tax your muscles with excess reps. I am logging 100-130 mile months, and with a balanced diet, maintaining lean muscle mass and weight is easier than I once thought as long as a base of strength training is in the mix. Long story short, 2-4 sets of core lifts in the 4-7 rep range is best case scenario for developing full body strength, and the recovery from workouts with some added muscle goes a long way.

Runningart2004 wrote:

Correlation does not equal causation.

Knock off with the BS "correlation does not equal causation." 😠 In cases, correlation does equal causation!

Runningart2004 wrote:

CV disease is not caused by lifting weights. It was probably the diet and stress of competing. Cutting weight, bulking, repeat.

Did I ever say it was caused by lifting weights know it all? The cardiologist said it was the net gain in weight (going from 150 to 195 on a short 5-7 frame) and the lack of cardio exercise. There's also a history of heart disease in my family including the death of my father of a massive heart attack at age 40.

So try not to make "know it all" comments until you have further details.

As much as I hate the cult of CrossFit, I do think they are on to something with the intense strength and cardio training together.

I gave up running for the most part at about age 50 and started lifting for health. The science and specifics of what works to build strength and muscle is actually fairly interesting if you can ignore the bro-science of every new study of nine people who put on muscle using ABC, or lifting like XYZ.

I went from 6-6 and 180 as a slow marathoner to almost 220 over a couple of years. I am defiintely stronger and look better, but women don't really notice when you are old as fvck anyway. Thing is I felt sluggish and had little endurance. This is pretty common with serious lifters, I think. So now I try to get in some just plain running here and there, occasional HIIT, and have cut down on the crazy protein and dairy consumption they push for lifting.

I still won't do CrossFit because they advertise "no lone wolves" and that's what I am whether I train for running or lifting.

Do cardio on the stepper or skip rope and you will cut up. I too have had too many injuries from moderate jogging to continue but lift and my weight fluctuates between 180 and 200ish and if my diet is on point I look decent at 180 but simply bearish at 200 and I am perpetually hungry. One thing I always enjoyed about jogging was keeping my weight down and having a moderate lunch. That isn't possible without hunger pangs at my heavier weight.

Bob the "former" Bod wrote:

Runningart2004 wrote:

Correlation does not equal causation.

Knock off with the BS "correlation does not equal causation." 😠 In cases, correlation does equal causation!

Runningart2004 wrote:

CV disease is not caused by lifting weights. It was probably the diet and stress of competing. Cutting weight, bulking, repeat.

Did I ever say it was caused by lifting weights know it all? The cardiologist said it was the net gain in weight (going from 150 to 195 on a short 5-7 frame) and the lack of cardio exercise. There's also a history of heart disease in my family including the death of my father of a massive heart attack at age 40.

So try not to make "know it all" comments until you have further details.

Sorry about your Dad but you made a blanket statement .

Your cardiologist may not be board certified either .

I do know musclemen who have had CV problems but they also dabbled in anabolics .

I never have . Started lifting weights at 28 . I've been a lifelong runner since 14 ( am 56 now ) .

Cut way back on running , now 45-60 min a week after two cardiac ablations for AF and flutter .

I have. I've gone from 160lbs =>185lbs over the course of a year. I miss the mileage and camaraderie of running, but I like the way I look after lifting.

Lower body is much stronger than upper body relative to the norm, and has been much easier to develop than upper body. Not too surprising.

I did a couple months of crossfit, but I enjoy bodybuilding stuff and some mileage now and again much more.

FWIW I can still run 8 miles at 6:30 pace fairly easily, and I think I could get back in decent shape pretty quickly.

Before lifting was a 16:15 - 16:30 5k, low 34 10k runner. now I can back squat 315, DL 380 and bench 205, and I look decent. Lift 6 days a week.

Its been nice to make a change, but if time and life circumstances allow, I would love to get back in good running shape someday soon.

Dr. Doctor wrote:

I never have . Started lifting weights at 28 . I've been a lifelong runner since 14 ( am 56 now ) .

Cut way back on running , now 45-60 min a week after two cardiac ablations for AF and flutter .

A lifelong runner and AF? How does that happen?🤔

Running is one of the best CV exercises known to mankind. I've been running for 35 yrs, and no heart issues.

I do like to use HR training in my weekly mileage & cross training, that's why my friends call me "Heart Rate Harry." 😆

Heart Rate Harry wrote:

Dr. Doctor wrote:

I never have . Started lifting weights at 28 . I've been a lifelong runner since 14 ( am 56 now ) .

Cut way back on running , now 45-60 min a week after two cardiac ablations for AF and flutter .

A lifelong runner and AF? How does that happen?🤔

Running is one of the best CV exercises known to mankind. I've been running for 35 yrs, and no heart issues.

I do like to use HR training in my weekly mileage & cross training, that's why my friends call me "Heart Rate Harry." 😆

I had five cardioversions 2003-2010 due to AF. Runner since 1972. I cut back carbs starting 2010 and cut back miles. The last two years I have been LCHF and the last year MAF training, and easily run 50mi/week, mostly slow but some speed and hill work. Best health of my life, 7 years no AF and hope to keep it that way. For more info go to Marksdailyapple.com, it might save you some literal heartbreak. AF is a silent epidemic among endurance athletes that is preventable.

Lightning Rod wrote:

[quote]Heart Rate Harry wrote:

AF is a silent epidemic among endurance athletes that is preventable.

Silent "epidemic?" State the facts Jack...someone's giving you the business! Maybe a citation or two with some hard evidence might help. It's an epidemic with the sedentary, middle-aged folks...not runners. Please don't troll on this issue!👎

In this thread: People who have given up on making their dreams become reality.

"CONCLUSION:

The risk of AF is significantly higher in athletes compared with non athletes"

Just for starters.

If it happens to you, you will hopefully learn a little respect and humility. Call me a Pollyanna for that.

Tabloid News wrote:

Lightning Rod wrote:

[quote]Heart Rate Harry wrote:

AF is a silent epidemic among endurance athletes that is preventable.

Silent "epidemic?" State the facts Jack...someone's giving you the business! Maybe a citation or two with some hard evidence might help. It's an epidemic with the sedentary, middle-aged folks...not runners. Please don't troll on this issue!👎

Over the past 3 years I've switched from running 60-80 mile weeks to just 1-2 sprint workouts per week, and 45-90 minutes/day on average in the gym. Right now my training is ~50% bodybuilding , 20% powerlifting, 15% olympic lifting and 15% sprinting... but no plans to compete in any of them.

I started around 68kg

After 4 months I was 77kg, 12 full months 81kg (30-45min/3-5 per week)

Year 2 I was 85kg. (50-75min/4-5 per week)

Now year 3 ~88kg (60-90min 5-6 per week)

Am still very lean, veins in my lower abs/chest/calves, christmas tree lower back and quad striations. Calories have been averaging around 3000 (2200-3600) for most of the past 3 years. I eat instinctively but track everything.

If runners stop running, start eating and lifting heavy the gains can be incredible for a few reasons.

-Amazing caplirization (sp?) already in place for great recovery.

-Low body fat % to start at-calories go to muscle not fat

-years of suppressed body weight gives a rebound effect

-work ethic

Pros

-Women (and men, maybe moreso men) give me way more attention

-I can actually eat MORE food.

-sleep is way better

-testosterone and assertiveness are way up

-sounds weird, but my face has changed-jawline/cheekbones more prominent

I like the training....holding a few hundred pounds in your hands and lifting it off the floor or chucking it overhead is a different feeling than running but no less enjoyable.

-it's harder to overtrain than running, injury is also more preventable IMO

-the training takes less time than running

-can still run well at 400/800

Cons

-need to find a gym

-more equipment

-more idiots to deal with

-more broscience

-running is more social/most runners are cooler than gymbros

-Your 5k will suffer

My first year I wish I had just focused on the basics more. Second year maybe add in some parentheses variations. Just progressive overload using perfect form. Usually would ramp up to a 1-3 rep max and then a few back off sets followed by assistance exercises. Isolation exercises are generally a waste of time.

High bar back squat (split squat, front squat, low bar)

Bench (close grip, rvs grip, incline, decline, dumbell)

Deadlift (snatch grip, deficit, sumo, rack pull, trap bar)

Clean (snatch, hang clean, muscle snatch)

Dips,

Pullups,

Overhead Press,

Bent over row

Maybe some lateral raises, lunges and some type of curl, no need to get fancy.

I'm not particularly strong (140S 105B, 200DL, 110clean, +45dips/pullups, 130BOR, 75OHP) but I definitely stand out in a crowd and asking if I lift is often one of the first things people mention when meeting me. No regrets.

Do you even lift bro? is not a compliment. I hope you realize that.

I ran 16:48 for 3 going into my senior year of high school. I ran all 4 years and just kept improving. I loved the sport. I ran season meet before getting a stress fracture in my foot. I crossed trained everyday and got to run conference for my team even though i wasn't 100. I really loved doing the crazy stuff. Super long runs. Super hard workouts. High mileage weeks. Honestly liked it much more than racing. Lost motivation from my injury but after sometime i finally got back to running like normal. I also started to lift during my senior year. We had a PE class based around lifting and i took it. I really enjoyed both. During February or so we had a really hard workout that i ended up killing. After that though i was injured again with quad tendinitis. 6 weeks more cross training. At that point i wanted to quit but stuck it out cause i loved my teammates and coaches so much. Ran some pretty good races towards the end of the season but it wasnt enough to keep me into the sport. Decided to switch over to lifting entirely. I know i will miss running but i really would like to put on muscle. Its always intrigued me since ive always been a skinny guy. Ive been lifting for a couple months and I really enjoy it. I dont find it boring at all. It definitely is much easier than running which could be a pro or a con to some.