mileage/weight loss

Question
QUESTION: Is it better to run for 40 minutes 3 times a week or 30 minutes 4 times a week?

ANSWER: It depends on the circumstances:

-If it is just for health, then the 30 min. runs are better because:
         *you can diversify your runs better (i.e., you can do 1 speed session, and two normal runs, and one slow          run, etc...)
         *It will motivate you better if you are only running 30 min. a day (because lets face it, 30 min. sounds easier   than 40)
         *It will keep you active more often, and that will help you stay healthier

-If you are recovering from an injury, then I would advise the longer route because:
         *You can stay off your feet, like daily-wise, more often
         *The longer runs are usually slower; therefore, easier to do with an injury

-If you are training for something:
         *Anything over a 5k (3 miles and longer), train with the 40 min. runs
         *Anything shorter than a 5k (under 3 miles), train with the 30 min. runs

In the end, it will all be the same running times, which will probably translate into the same distances, it just depends on why you are doing it, and if there is anything holding you back form doing it.

Hope I helped =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I appreciate your answer!
To be more specific, I would like to lose weight. Would 40 mins. 3 times a week be more beneficial than 30 mins. 4 times a week, or would I need to do 30 mins. 5 times a week to see any results?

Answer
So, from all I've heard about weight-loss running is 1 mile = 100 calories. It ha been re- and re-iterated until I knew that statistic in my sleep. Myself, I don't run for weight-loss, but because I love running. However, I will tell you everything I know about it, because I have researched it and come across it before. If we go with the mileage-calorie set-up (which is kinda dumb, I think), you'll burn 1200 calories a week for the first 2 ways, and 1500 for the second. Yet this is stupid because you burn calories afterwards (because it boosts your metabolism). But I still wanted to get that across in case you were just looking for the short-term effects. In my opinion, though, I think that either one will get you some type of results, but I would probably go with the 5-day plan. Because in the long-run, people who lose weight , are the ones who stay running for a long time. If you do the 5-day plan, and if you have the heart of a runner ;) jk, you just need to stay motivated (though it does help), then you will be healthier. Also, keep in mind that running alone will not make you just drop pounds. You need to eat healthy. I've run anywhere from 25-60 miles a week for 3 years and I've gained weight (some fat/some muscle). That is because I ate wrong, and didn't take care of my body (sleep-wise). If you don't mind, I want to give you some articles to read about all this (because I am trying to make this not a novel, and it will help).

http://www.the-fitness-motivator.com/lose-weight-by-running.html http://running.about.com/od/runningandweightloss/a/weightloss.htm
http://running.about.com/od/runningandweightloss/ss/skinnyrunners.htm

Of course, these aren't are the articles out there, but these are some popular ones, and after awhile of reading them, they all start to say the same thing.

Final decision: I think 5 day plan.
If you do the 3 or 4 day plans, you won't miss out too badly, but to maximize your weight-loss, and to just have a better running experience, I say 5 day.