Many people think that just running and seeing weight loss is enough to reduce fat successfully. However, in reality, the weight loss does not always come from excess fat but may be due to dehydration and muscle mass loss. This is not a healthy weight loss method.
Many middle-aged and elderly people run with the goal of rapid weight loss, so they combine high-intensity exercise with a diet that is too low. When the body lacks energy and nutrients for a long time, the metabolism process will prioritize breaking down protein in the muscles to create energy instead of burning fat. As a result, weight may decrease but muscle mass also decreases accordingly.
After the age of 45, muscle mass has naturally decreased over time. If you continue to lose muscle due to unreasonable dieting and exercise, the skin will lack support, easily become saggy, sagging and pitted areas appear on the face. This is why many people lose weight by jogging but have a thin, gaunt appearance, lack firmness and look older than their age.
Another factor that is often overlooked is the habit of running on an empty stomach. Many middle-aged and elderly people exercise early in the morning after a long night without recharging energy, then only eat lightly or even skip breakfast. In a state of energy deprivation, high-intensity running forces the body to strongly mobilize reserves, increasing the risk of muscle loss if not supplemented with nutrients in time.
Frequent long-distance running on an empty stomach can also cause the body not to be provided with enough nutrients to recover after exercise. This can easily lead to fatigue, physical decline, dull skin and weaken the immune system.
