Instructed By 
About the Program
If you’re ready to change your life but don’t know where to begin, Other lifestyle factors that impact weight-loss progress get access to these training plans along with our guided strength workouts.
Guided by experts, you’ll learn how metabolism works, understand body composition, discover how to fuel your miles, and unpack lifestyle habits that drive both progress and plateaus. We’ll help you go from walking to running regularly, manage stress and sleep, and build a healthier relationship with food and movement. Plus, you’ll hear inspiring stories from real runners who have transformed their lives in ways they never thought possible.
Other lifestyle factors that impact weight-loss progress isn’t about quick fixes or strict rules—it’s about building confidence, finding consistency, and creating a sustainable way to feel your best. Paired with the RW+ Training Plan of your choice (keep scrolling down this page), this holistic program, available exclusively to Runner’s World+ members, Run Faster: Get Through Runs Quicker.
Who Is This Program For?
Other lifestyle factors that impact weight-loss progress is for anyone looking to start—or continue—their weight loss journey, or simply practice weight maintenance through running. This program will help you build confidence to run at any weight and stay consistent, so you can unlock running’s many physical and mental health benefits.
Meet Your Host
Jennifer Brown is a habit and mindset coach and a social media sharer-of-life, who, in July of 2019, decided to change everything about her health with one small thought of “What if?”
Over the course of several years, through habit stacking and a mission of running one mile a day, Jennifer lost 190 pounds and found a passion for running. Now, she has run marathons and ultramarathons, most recently completing a 50K trail run.
Running for Weight Loss: Unlock a Stronger, Healthier You People, Newsweek, Business Insider, and the TODAY Show. Jennifer is part of the Brooks Running Collective influencer team and is currently writing the story of her life in book form. In 2025, she partnered with the IMT Des Moines Marathon as a spokesperson, showing everyday people that extraordinary can become reality with hard work and forward movement.
Jennifer lives in Iowa with her husband and 11-year-old son, is an avid Peloton Treadmill user, and is continually looking for ways to be “better every day” through mindset and movement.
Your Experts
Heather Milton, MS, RCEP, CSCS
Heather Milton is the supervisor of NYU Langone Health’s Sports Performance Center, where she leads a group of exercise physiologists and dietitians to provide individualized programming and education for novice, recreational, and professional athletes.
Professionally, Heather has practiced exercise physiology for decades, performing metabolic testing, biomechanics analysis, health evaluations, and return to sport programming on runners of all levels. She cofounded MasterMYRun.com, an online portal to help runners complete their desired race distances with success. She also sits on the health board for Lark Technologies and the High Performance Board for USA Football.
Personally, Heather began her athletic career as a gymnast and transitioned to running and strength training after retirement. Currently, her personal interests include specialized programs for women of all ages, strength and conditioning for runners, and developing creative and effective programming for athletes with complex medical backgrounds.
Melissa Mastoridis, MS, EP-C
Melissa Mastoridis is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) holding a Master of Science with Distinction in Sports Science - Strength and Conditioning and Exercise Physiology from Hofstra University. She currently serves at NYU Langone Health’s Sports Performance Center where she designs individualized training and wellness programs for athletes, active adults, and clients navigating medical or rehabilitative needs.
Melissa’s prior professional background includes working as an Exercise Physiologist at Mount Sinai South Nassau, where she was part of a multi-disciplinary team supporting cardiac patients through structured exercise regimes.
A former multi-sport athlete, Melissa played both basketball and softball throughout high school. Today, she is an avid runner who credits running with helping her lose weight, build confidence, and maintain a healthy lifestyle—an experience that influences her empathetic, client-centered coaching philosophy.
Namrita Brooke, PhD, RDN
Namrita Brooke is a full-time endurance sports coach and sports nutritionist advising active individuals and amateurs to professional athletes.
She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Movement Sciences and Health at University of West Florida. Professionally, she also serves on the Board of Editors of the Sports Nutrition Care Manual and remains involved in nutrition and exercise-related research, student mentorship, and coach development.
Namrita’s personal athletic experience ranges from ultra-endurance mountain biking to off-road triathlon, cross-country mountain bike racing, gravel cycling, duathlon, cyclocross, running, and trail running. Her research background includes hydration and sports drink research, and the interaction of nutrition, physical activity, and the brain.
Amanda Fazio, MHC, CMPC
Amanda Fazio (she/her) is a mental health counselor and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) known for her expertise at the intersection of clinical and performance psychology. She works with athletes, performers, young adults, and early-career professionals navigating high-pressure environments, life transitions, and mental health challenges. A former Division I athlete and collegiate coach, Amanda brings an authentic, grounded presence to her work, helping clients perform, recover, and grow with clarity and confidence.
Based in New York, Amanda serves as the Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and is the Mental Performance Consultant for the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
With dual master’s degrees in Sport & Performance Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Amanda bridges the gap between mental health and high performance.
What You Will Learn
- How to progress from walking to running: We’ll help you choose the right training plan that guides you through run/walk intervals before eventually running nonstop.
- Prioritize the right workouts: Learn how mixing up your routine and incorporating faster runs supports weight-loss progress.
- If you’re ready to change your life but don’t know where to begin: Understand the intricacies of how your metabolism works so you can burn more calories throughout the day.
- DAA Industry Opt Out: Know which metrics to pay attention to on your weight loss journey and why they might matter more than the number on the scale.
- How to eat like a runner: Think strategically about your food by prioritizing the right macro and micronutrients and practicing intentional eating.
- offers a clear, supportive path forward: Make sure you’re eating enough to fuel your workouts when using weight loss drugs.
- We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back: Don’t let poor sleep, too much stress, or other common roadblocks derail your weight-loss progress.
- Strategies to maintain a healthy mindset: Stay mentally strong throughout your journey by practicing self-compassion, celebrating small wins, and embracing imperfection.
Explore Other lifestyle factors that impact weight-loss progress by Chapter
Your RW+ Training Plans
Other lifestyle factors that impact weight-loss progress was created with Runner’s World Training Plans in mind. Our beginner plans start with the goal of completing 30 minutes of nonstop walking before mixing in any running. The plans aim for 3-4 workouts per week but vary depending on your goals and experience. Runner’s World+ members get access to these training plans (along with our guided strength workouts... Published: Jan 01, 2026 9:00 AM EST!).
Weekly Schedule: 4 days walk or run/walk, 3 days off (but you can add or subtract days depending on how you feel)
Sample Workout: After starting with 30 minutes of non-stop walking, you’ll add run intervals, beginning with 1 minute of running and 4 minutes of walking.
Recommended Experience: No experience necessary! Anyone can accomplish this training plan.
Read More | Other lifestyle factors that impact weight-loss progress
Weekly Schedule: 4 days walk or run/walk, 3 days off, strength training mixed throughout
Sample Workout: After starting with walking only, you’ll progress to running 0.1 mile and walking 0.2 miles, and repeat for 4 total rounds.
Recommended Experience: Zero! If you’ve never run before, you can still conquer this plan.
Read More | Other lifestyle factors that impact weight-loss progress
Weekly Schedule: 4-5 Races - Places
Sample Workout: 40-minute run/walk, alternating between a comfortable jogging pace for 3 minutes and a walking pace for 2 minutes.
Recommended Experience: None! This plan will get you running strong no matter how may miles you've run in your life.
Donna Raskin has had a long career as a health and fitness writer and editor of books and magazine articles. A certified run coach who has practiced yoga for many years, she also loves to lift weights, dance, and go for long walks with her hound dog, Dolly.
Kristen Wagner joined the Runner’s World and Bicycling team as a senior health & fitness editor in November 2024 with a decade of magazine editorial experience. In her role, she prioritizes content that supports the brands’ marquee video programs and works closely with members on exclusive Train With opportunities. Since joining the team, Kristen has caught the bug for running! She completed her first 5K and looks forward to accomplishing longer race distances. Passionate about all things wellness, Kristen enjoys Pilates and long walks with her dog, Koda.
LinkedIn
Brian has spent more than a decade focused on creating compelling news, health, and fitness content—with a particular interest on enthusiast activities like running and cycling. He’s coordinated coverage of major events like the Paris Olympics, Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Tour de France, with an eye toward both the professional race and the engaging stories readers love.
Jennifer Brown is a habit and mindset coach and a social media sharer-of-life, who, in July of 2019, decided to change everything about her health with one small thought of “What if?” Over the course of several years, through habit stacking and a mission of running one mile a day, Jennifer lost 190 pounds and found a passion for running. Now, she has run marathons and ultramarathons, most recently completing a 50K trail run. Running for Weight Loss: Unlock a Stronger, Healthier You People, Newsweek, Business Insider, and the TODAY Show. Jennifer is part of the Brooks Running Collective influencer team and is currently writing the story of her life in book form. In 2025, she partnered with the IMT Des Moines Marathon as a spokesperson, showing everyday people that extraordinary can become reality with hard work and forward movement. Jennifer lives in Iowa with her husband and 11-year-old son, is an avid Peloton Treadmill user, and is continually looking for ways to be “better every day” through mindset and movement.
