How far do you have to run to make a difference?

[mccollins]

I have two months before I move by myself to a completely new state. I want to look better than I ever have to help me boost my confidence in going out and meeting new people.

I was going to start doing p90x ab ripper, squats, lunges, push ups and a few other things. I know how to do weight training but when it comes to nutrition and fat burning cardio I have no clue.

I have heard that running is the best overall body workout, but how far should I run to actually see a difference? Where is a decent place to start? What effect will running have on my body?

As for nutrition...what are good carbs and what are bad carbs? How much fat should you have? What are major no no's?

I want an athletic, lean looking body like the pic in the left hand corner:

link

[kheserthorpe]

You don't need cardio to burn fat. You can of course, but its not really key.

The major reason to do steady state cardio is to push down heart rate and improve your aerobic capacity. These are useful things, and if you want to know how to do that, I can tell you more.

As far as nutrition ... if you are simultaneously trying to tone and trim fat, you can't really diet hard or you will be unable to do the work necessary to tone.

Focus most of your diet around lean proteins, vegetables, complex carbs. Don't avoid fat entirely. I'd suggest protein at every meal.

I know we all keep saying it, but I'm gonna say it again.

You should have all the confidence in the world in your appearance _right now_.

[Anonymous]

Running is not an overall body exercise, but it's still a good exercise. 20 minutes is the absolute minimum to any cardio and I would suggest at least 40 minutes. Running burns fat and gives you more toned legs.

More than running I would suggest high intensity interval training combined with weight training. This guy ain't the best expert at this but has some good videos and exercise routines link He also has some videos about diet and I would also suggest his other channel insanehomefatloss.

[Shyguy_1988]

Well running is more of a cardio work out and benefits your lower body while not doing much for upper body. The ulitmate body work out would be swimming which works like all of your muscle's. Also running mixed with different strengthening work outs are a good mix. Running you see a differnce in your overall endurance more then anything and will keep building the more you do it. You look fine the way you are now though but if you would like to stay that way and build endurance in the process running would be a great thing to do.

[DanteX160]

You are right about the P90X nutrition guide but what you can take from it is this try to have 40% carbs 40% protein and 20% fat with each meal, cut simple sugars and highly processed food. The guide does have a huge list of healthy foods. And remember never starve yourself when you are working out, It will kill your energy completely. Oh and drink lots of water.

[NerdInDenial]

Doesn't P90X come with a nutrional guide? Anyway, with running you want to incorporate some sprints as well as longer distance paces, i.e. 3 - 4 miles. Routines like HIIT or high intensity is the best way to burn fat. If you just run at a constant pace, your metabolism will not go up, eventually, because your body adapts to it. I'm not an expert in nutrition. For the record, you're already hot; don't be so hard on yourself.

[mccollins]

The p90x guide really is just for if you are doing the program. It has you eating like over 2000 calories so I don't think I should follow it unless I decided to do the whole program.

[Anonymous]

If you do the P90X tit for tat, you will get great results. To ask for more, especially at your weight, is unreasonable and frankly not a healthy mentality.

[heyitsdan]

Ur body already looks like that