Running is one of the easiest ways to workout – all you need is a pair of good running shoes, your favourite music and empty open space. We all loved to run as children and many of us like to run as adults too. The activity gets our heart-rate going and benefits our body enormously in more ways than one. However, if you’re looking to shed kilos through the activity of running, you may be facing an issue. According to nutritionists, running is not enough if you’re trying to shed some pounds. It is absolutely essential to combine the activity with good eating habits too.

Registered dietitian Natalie Rizzo says that it is also important to follow a healthy diet. It is a common misconception that only running helps lose weight, and the reason behind this is that people overestimate how many calories they’ve burned. “Just because you’re running and working out doesn’t necessarily mean you can eat whatever you want,” said Natalie Rizzo.

(Also Read: The Real Reason Why Athletes Are Giving Up Meat)

_{Running can help burn calories, but only when coupled with the right diet.} 

So, what is the solution to the reliance on exercise for weight loss? Rizzo says, “It really has to be a combination of exercise and diet. Eating healthy is generally what’s going to make your weight loss goals happen.” Dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick from Cleveland Clinical Wellness Institute agrees that you may have to adjust your eating habits.

Thus, it is important to eat according to what your exercise regimen is. Those who exercise rigorously need to eat more, and those who don’t need to cut back on the excess calories. “If you’re doing five or six miles, you’re probably going to have to have some sort of simple sugar to refuel with, and of course water and electrolytes,” says Kristin Kirkpatrick. She adds, “If you’re running three to four miles daily, regular meals and snacks are allowed.”

(Also Read: Water Versus Sports Drinks: What Young Athletes And Fitness Lovers Should Drink)

_{Snack on healthy fruits and dried nuts for effective weight loss.} 

Other great options are complex carbohydrates and lean sources of protein, which should surely be added to our weight loss diet. For those who are just starting to run, however, Rizzo says they should begin slowly in terms of both diet and exercise. Excess of anything is bad – and too much exercise often ends up in painful injuries. “Another thing that can lead to injuries is going out too fast and trying to train too much,” concluded Rizzo. So, keep these tips in mind next time you plan to go for a run!