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Emma asked in SportsRunning · 1 decade ago

How many minutes/miles should I run per day?

I'm almost 17 years old, I'm about 5 8" and weigh around 140 pounds. I'm not fat by any means, but I'm getting a little chubby in a few places :/ I've only started running every day about 2 weeks ago, but I just want to know how much I should run per day, I'd like to be around 115-120 by April.

Update:

If i try really hard, I can run a mile in about 9 1/2 minutes, but I'm not in any sports, so I'm pretty slow :// But lately I've been running a mile and a half in about 17 minutes at a slower pace. I don't know which one's better. I know I'll get faster and be able to run farther once I keep runningg

Update 2:

thanks :) i run on a treadmill, and i just went running for 27 minutes ;D hehe progress, my friends! The whole diet thing might be kinda hard, i work at cousins subs :P so I usually eat every time i work, but i've been working on it! ;))))

11 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Right after you wake up in the morning, try to do 3 miles in 30 minutes or less. Don't eat before you run, and don't eat much after you finish running. This should take off that weight by April.

    Source(s): Almost 17, 5'8", 140 (guy) who went from 160 in June to 125 in August doing this and other things
  • 1 decade ago

    Your pace is very good for just starting 2 weeks ago without any sports. Congrats on that. Dieting would help, but don't do the 'Wrestler Diet' It's not healthy at ALL. I'd say go about two miles or more, every other day (Or whatever your comfortable mileage is.) Then, on the other days, do a 'hard workout.' Go to a local track and do a few sprints, or go over distance. (Over distance could be 3+ miles until you work your endurance up. For minutes, I'd say an hour and a half of running per day. That is, if you have the time. Take a day for rest, because that is just as important. Also, on some days, work on your muscles. Do crunches, push-ups, planks, etc. I hope this helps, and hope you reach your goal weight.Don't forget about stretching. :) You would get seriously hurt eventually if you didn't.

    P.S. Also, your weight isn't that bad. Don't listen to Ryan. 115-120 is a nice goal weight. Definitely not too much. 140 isn't too bad either for your height. :)

    Source(s): Cross-Country/Track Runner for four years.
  • 1 decade ago

    Ok the others have great advice that you should follow but I think you might have issues with committing to these kind of exercise programs. You should run for 20 minutes EVERYDAY. Yes everyday or AT LEAST every other day. Persistence is key here. No matter how much or how long you run in one day if you don't keep it up you won't see results. You should get a friend to tag along if you can but don't let them drag you down. Main goal is to run everyday and in a few months you will feel and see results.

    If you have an ipod nano 4g or itouch/iphone then get a Nike plus Ipod or something to measure distance and time.

    Source(s): Cross country and Track runner
  • kate
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    Focus on eating healthier and running further and faster each day. So tomorrow, try to run for like 30-35 minutes, since you did 27 today. However, you aren't even chubby, considering you're pretty tall. If I were you, I would focus on toning the areas the look kinda chubby, and not necessarily worrying about weight. You may not get to your desired weight (healthily) if you are also building muscle (muscle weighs more than fat...).

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  • 1 decade ago

    Miles dont matter. If you are trying to lose weight, run for time. Run at a pace that will raise your heart rate and keep it there for between 30 and 40 minutes. This is where you will burn calories and help raise your metabolism and endurance levels. Then figure out how many miles you are running after that time frame. You will see those miles increase as your endurance levels and pace increase. I do it every other day and it has always worked fine.

  • 1 decade ago

    140 to 115 is a lot of weight babe. im 16 and i run and wrestle. so loosing weight is my life. if you are trying to get that low i would recommend starting a diet. take lots of vitamins and run about 30 to 60 min a day. rest sundays. i would also say get some sprinting in there also. maybe do a faster pace interval workout. speed up for 100m then go to a jog then speed up then jog the sprint 100m then jog. so fourth. after every running workout i would say do cor workouts. crunches, bicycles, push upss, arrow holds, and so fourth. it's hard to set you up with a program without seeing you. but this is a start

  • UmaCat
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Don't focus on distance or time starting out (keep track if you like, but don't beat yourself up about it at this point), just aim for 30 minutes of running at a comfortable pace. Once you're comfortable at that level, build from there.

  • 1 decade ago

    i like wat antonio sed

    im pretty sure running faster burns more calories too. dnt b afraid 2 push yourself a little, and since yur trying 2 lose weight, change yur diet a little; i kno this sux, but stay away from the fastfood nd lots of sugar; sugar=the main reason America is so fat

    try eating more fruit; an apple nd a slice of pizza may feel about equal in filling yur stomach but the apple has way less calories.

    Source(s): im a runner; i read a lot about running, diet, and training
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    i would say 1 or 2 miles is good. it wont take much time either, it takes me 9 mins to run a mile and im slow. just make sure to have proper diet too

  • 1 decade ago

    Run about 3 miles a day

    You want to do a lot of cardio

    Go to runnersworld.com

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