Will running cross country help me lose fat?

I've been pretty self conscious of my body ever since a few years ago. I'm going to be a sophomore next year and I wanted to join the cross country team. I'm not the best runner and I know I'm not the worst. I just wanted to know, does running cross country help you lose fat? I want to just slim down my body and get more muscle. Also, is cross country a fun sport? Should I do it even though I have never ran cross country before? And will I get skinnier in the 3 month period of cross country?

How to Fast to Lose Weight

Recommended Answer:

I started running cross country my freshmen year, and I had never ran cross country before. I jumped right in to it, and it was tough at first. Yet, the coaches taught me how to properally train for the sport. My first year of running, I had a lot of trouble getting in shape (partly due to an unsupportive coach), but my second year I dropped a minute off my times each week (had a different coach who really cared about everyone). Yes, cross country will help you lose weight. But you will also need to change your diet, running only takes you so far. My second year there was this guy on a different team how was severly obese, and he joined cross country and changed his diet to become healthier. This helped so much for him, and everyone was increadably supportive of him. He never stopped running during the race and always continued. And I really believe that you will enjoy it.

Other Answers:

• yeah you lose a LOT i was all buff junior year and a few months into XC i was dead skinny, by the time I graduated HS they called me el zombie cuse i looked dead.
• Yes it can help lose fat an its fun if you like to run if you don't like to run its not going to be fun yes I would do it yes you will get skinner
• well, if you want to get 'skinnier' then you're going to have to combine the cross-country with a nutrient filled, healthy diet. You're also going to have to train for this team every day for at least 20 minutes (5 minute warm up, 10 minute run, 5 minute cool down). Cross country is a fun sport, as long as you don't tire easily. I don't recommend you do it if you've never ran cross country before, but you can still join if you start 'training' for it now (running everyday, healthy diet) or else once you get out there it will be complete hell and you'll be turning red and getting dizzy. It's just not fun doing it without knowing what you're getting into, and that I learned the hard way! If you want to keep off the fat you can't just do these three months and stop running altogether, because you'll just gain back the weight and then some. Keep with your healthy diet when you're done and keep working out daily once you've finished cross country. Good luck :D
• Yes, the first two weeks of conditioning are always the worst, and tends to be the period where most people drop out haha. I'd say drink whey protein since you'll be able to recover a lot more quickly and grow actual muscle. Cross country is pretty cool actually. You feel like part of a pack of dogs while running, but I must admit it's only fun if you're good at running already or at least have a challenger. For example I doubt I could have fun if I could barely run 3 miles in 21 mins because for guys that's not as competitive as running a 17. I remember in middle school running 3 miles straight was impossible for me. Anyways if you run cross country you'll never get sick but will constantly have sore thighs on tuesdays haha. Since mondays tend to be hard days haha.