When it comes to losing weight, there really is no better way to effectively beat back the bulge than with jogging or running. Nearly 60 percent of all people that start running do so to take off the pounds, but running can also provide even more health benefits than just weight loss.
Running can be the proverbial fountain of youth for our bones and muscles. It helps prevent bone and muscle loss that occurs naturally as we age, and helps strengthen our legs, hips, and feet. Most of us spend countless hours in front of a computer at work, but by adding running into our daily routines, we can help offset the damage we do by leading such sedentary lifestyles.
Running can also do wonders for our organs and vital body systems. It makes you hearts stronger and increases the capacity of your circulation and respiratory system. It helps increase your metabolism and speeds up your digestive system and can even help clear up digestive problems. Running can help fight off diseases such as breast cancer and it reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
So, are you getting the picture? Running is great for your body. But the health benefits don’t stop there.
Running has been proven to also play an essential role in mental health. People who suffer from depression can find great relief from the benefits of running. It provides a huge release of endorphins that can help bring forth a positive attitude, and it also helps to build character and confidence like few sports can. People who run have also found that it helps alleviate the stresses of everyday life.
While running can provide vast health benefits to both body and mind, it’s still one of the hardest forms of exercise to begin. Most people dread the prospect of running, or they injure themselves because they didn’t properly stretch.
To begin a running program, you first should treat it as your time to get away from the daily stresses of your life. It’s a time you should look forward to, where you can challenge yourself to become stronger and faster.
Start with a good pair of running shoes and always remember to properly warm up and stretch before you run. If you’re not used to exercise, then it’s better to start off slow and build up as you go. By starting a running program, you’ll soon experience some of the many extraordinary health benefits that can come from simply putting one foot in front of the other.
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