Can late-night run offset overeating? Actor Lee Jong-suk’s workout sparks interest

Actor Lee Jong-suk holds gelato during a recent trip to Milan for work. Captured from Instagram

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Actor Lee Jong-suk worked up a sweat with a late-night run after enjoying a series of indulgent meals during a recent trip to Italy.

In a vlog uploaded to his YouTube channel, Lee documented his visit to Florence and Milan, where he attended fashion events for a luxury brand.

The actor's food-filled journey began even before departure. At the airport lounge, he enjoyed a generous meal and continued eating aboard his flight, consuming pizza, beef tenderloin steak with potato croquettes, cheese and biscuits, chocolate ice cream, instant noodles and an eel rice bowl. Afterward, he joked that he felt sleepy from a blood sugar spike and admitted he was uncomfortably full.

Upon arriving in Florence, Lee ordered room-service pasta before attending a fashion show. Later, while sightseeing at Milan’s iconic Milan Cathedral, he treated himself to gelato.

As the food-focused vlog continued, Lee appeared slightly embarrassed by his appetite.

“Celebrities probably shouldn’t eat everything they want before a scheduled event,” he said. “I feel like I’m gradually getting rounder.”

With a photo shoot scheduled for the following morning, Lee decided to exercise before going to bed.

Actor Lee Jong-suk goes for a nighttime run after a big meal during a recent trip to Milan. Captured from YouTube

“Since I’ve been eating a bit excessively, I think I’ll feel less guilty if I sweat it out with a run before sleeping,” he said before heading out for a jog through Milan’s picturesque nighttime streets.

Viewers responded positively, with comments such as, “I can’t believe he stays so slim while eating like that,” and “A nighttime run is so refreshing.”

A former model, Lee is known for maintaining a lean physique. The actor has also been publicly dating singer-actress IU for four years.

Why running is a popular weight-management exercise

Running is one of the most effective forms of aerobic exercise for burning calories in a relatively short period of time. As heart rate increases during a run, energy expenditure rises, helping reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular fitness. Consistent running can also support blood sugar control and overall heart health.

However, experts emphasize that exercise alone is rarely enough for significant weight loss. Even after a workout, it can be difficult to fully offset the calories consumed from high-calorie foods such as pizza and desserts. Sustainable weight loss generally requires maintaining a long-term calorie deficit, meaning calorie expenditure exceeds calorie intake.

Many people, like Lee, prefer exercising in the evening. Nighttime running may offer performance advantages because body temperature and muscle function tend to peak later in the day, making exercise feel easier and more efficient.

Evening workouts can also help relieve stress accumulated throughout the day. Running while enjoying city lights or scenic views may make exercise more enjoyable and easier to maintain as a habit.

In addition, light to moderate exercise after dinner can help moderate post-meal blood sugar levels, particularly after consuming carbohydrate-rich foods. Experts caution, however, that intense exercise immediately before bedtime may interfere with sleep quality.

Morning runs offer different benefits. Exercising early allows people to complete their workout before daily obligations begin, making it easier to build a consistent routine. Exposure to sunlight during morning exercise can also help regulate the body’s internal clock.

Ultimately, health experts say the best time to run is the time that can be maintained consistently.

They also stress that long-term weight management depends on combining regular exercise with a balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and lean proteins, while limiting sugary drinks, desserts, late-night snacks and excessively fatty foods.

After exercise, consuming protein along with a moderate amount of carbohydrates can help preserve muscle mass and improve satiety. Rather than resorting to extreme dieting, maintaining a sustainable eating pattern while exercising regularly remains the most effective strategy for reducing body fat and managing weight.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.