Run Your Butt Off!: a Breakthrough Plan to Lose Weight and Start Running (No Experience Necessary!)


Jun 25, 2011

I recently used coolrunning.com's  Couch Potato to 5K plan to start jogging and have since run two 5Ks. While that plan ultimately worked for me, I so wish I had discovered Run Your Butt Off!, from Runner’s World, first. The RYBO plan addressed the things that I found most challenging and would have made my journey more pleasant.

Firstly, the authors insist that you run very slowly. I thought I had been running slowly, but discovered otherwise the first time I ran with another person. The authors describe exactly what running slowly looks like and I can tell you first hand it makes all the difference in the world for a new runner.

They also encourage readers to go at their own pace and stick to whichever stage of the plan they are on if they fall behind. It’s totally self-paced. Each chapter has an eating plan component, which brings the focus back to weight-loss (although it’s not distracting if that’s not your primary goal).

The book is interspersed with stories from a test panel, tips from a running coach, and lessons from a nutritionist. While I read the book in its entirety the format lends itself to browsing. RYBO is directed at new runner’s, and will be especially useful for the typically sedentary.

Reviewed by Helen H.
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