want to start running/jogging

[Dogmama]

I KNEW there was a reason I ate PB&J before every race.

Veronica

PB&J should be its own food group, IMO.

Losing weight - it's mostly diet (sigh.) Figure that the 300 calories you burn on the dreadmill can be easily replaced with a candy bar. Some studies are showing, however, that you can keep weight off with exercise. And in the final analysis, THAT is the hardest part.

Regarding the OP's mention of core training - it's good but remember that you cannot spot reduce. Any excess around the midsection will come off with diet.

I think (with absolutely no scientific evidence to back me up) that we are seeing more abdominal fat because of processed foods. If it lasts on the shelf longer than Keith Richards & cockroaches, it must be full of chemicals. I don't think "a calorie is a calorie" because how does our body know how to burn foods laced with chemicals? The body says, "I'll just store this as fat until I can figure this out." OK, I'm being facetious, but I know that if I start eating store bought "power bars" instead of regular food, I'll gain weight even though my calorie intake is the same.

SO, to lose weight - exercise is good, be it running, cycling, swimming, etc. Weight lifting builds muscle that is metabolically more active than fat - also good. But the diet is the key. Some people say it's 80% of the equation.