Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Is Running Healthy?





Is running healthy? There are many reasons why people start running. Some run in order to become fit or lose weight. Others like the challenge of competing in a race. Running is one of the best cardio activities and provides many health benefits.

I know that we all know someone that hurt their knees or hips running but really these drawbacks to the sport are usually due to just using poor form Ask any of these people that have hurt themselves is running healthy and they will tell you that is certainly is.

Why is Running Healthy

Running makes you healthy and fit. It is a great way to strengthen your cardiovascular system and keep your heart and lungs healthy. It reduces your risk of having a heart attack. When combined with a healthy diet, running can help normalize your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol level. It also improves your immune system so you don’t get sick easily. To get the best cardio benefits, run at least 30 minutes a day for four or five days a week.

Running helps you lose weight. When you run, your body burns a lot of calories. Running is an excellent cardiovascular exercise and helps you shed excess weight. It also builds lean muscles and boosts your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories.

Is Running Healthy

Is Running Healthy

Running give you more energy. When you’re feeling tired or physically drained, a good cardio activity like running can give your energy level a boost. This may seem counter-intuitive but if you feel sluggish after sitting at your desk all day, running will give you back your energy. Running in the morning can also improve your energy level during the day.

Running relieves stress. One of the best reasons to run for health is to remove stress and even mild depression. Running lowers your stress levels. It provides a sense of accomplishment and makes you feel good inside. Studies show that people who exercise regularly are generally happier than those who don’t.

Running improves your mood. When you run, your body releases endorphins. These are hormones that make you feel good and provide a sense of euphoria, commonly called “runner’s high.”

Running keeps you young. High impact activities like running help you prevent bone and muscle loss as you age. Running is a physically demanding exercise and will allow your bones and muscles to grow stronger. It is better than an anti-aging product or procedure. Cardio exercise improves blood circulation and gives a healthy, youthful glow to your skin. Staying young is one of the top reasons to run for health.

Running is cheap. Many forms of exercise for health reasons require expensive equipment and/or a gym membership. Running, on the other hand, is one of the cheapest forms of working out. All you need is a pair of running shoes, shorts, and a t-shirt.

These are all great reasons to start running or to continue running. This is a great sport that will help you improve your health and fitness and make you proud of how you are getting better all the time.

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

What It Takes to Run a Marathon





One of the most grueling races in the world is to run a marathon. Anyone who wants to run a marathon needs proper preparation and training. It is said that when you join a marathon, you are not only competing with other marathon runners but you are competing primarily with yourself. When running a marathon, mental preparation is as important as physical conditioning. During the final kilometers of the run, sheer determination may be the only thing pushing you to finish the race.

Start Small to Run a Marathon

Keep in mind that a full marathon is a daunting 42.2 kilometers, or around 26 miles. If you have never run a marathon before, it’s advisable to start by joining short distance races such as a 5K run. After competing in a number of 5K races, you may want to join 10K runs. Be sure to train properly for these short distance races. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to run a half marathon (21 kilometers) and even a full marathon.

Running shorter distance races will allow you to gauge your level in running, as well as your endurance level. Once you are able to run shorter races easily and confidently, you can proceed to running marathons.

Physical Preparation Getting Ready For a Marathon

Preparing to Ran a Marathon

Preparing to Ran a Marathon

Running coaches advise against running a marathon unless you have been running consistently for about a year. Before joining a marathon, you should be training four to five days a week and averaging at least 25 miles per week. If you have not reached this level of running, choose a suitable training program that will bring you up to the proper level. Running a marathon without proper physical training will increase the risk of injury and/or not finishing the race.

Cross training and weight training can also help you complete a marathon. These workouts increase your energy and develop muscles that may be neglected if you focus on running alone.

Mental Preparation – Marathons are Long and Tough

There is a lot of mental work involved when you train for a marathon. You have to believe and know that you can do it. Training is not easy, nor is running a marathon. There are tricks you can do to mentally prepare for a marathon. You can try to imagine running effortlessly and visualize reaching the finish line. Some people find that it helps when they “talk” themselves into completing the race.

It also helps if you break the course into sections mentally. Instead of thinking of completing 42 kilometers, think of running 5 or 10 kilometers. After completing one section, think of running the next until you successfully run the full marathon.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on 10k Runs
  • Related Blogs on 5k Races
Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Is Running Good for Weight Loss?





Is Running Good for Weight Loss? When coupled with a sensible diet, any form of exercise can help you lose weight. However, running is recognized as one of the best workouts for weight loss. You can burn more calories by running for half an hour than walking for the same length of time. If you’re wondering whether or not running is good for weight loss, the answer is yes.

An aerobic exercise like running elevates your heart rate and strengthens your cardiovascular system. When working out at your aerobic threshold, your body will go into fat-burning mode. Even after you stop running, your body will continue to burn calories as a faster rate. This will help burn more fat and aid in weight loss.

Is Running Good for Weight Loss?

One pound of fat is equivalent to 3,500 calories. This means that if you want to shed one pound, you have to burn 3,500 calories more than you consume over a given period of time. Health experts recommend a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week, or up to 8 pounds in one month. Depending on your weight loss goal, you would have to burn an extra 500-1000 calories per day.

Is Running Good for Weight Loss?

Is Running Good for Weight Loss?

On average, an individual weighing 150 pound who runs one mile burns about 100 calories. If you weigh more, you’ll burn slightly more calories. If you weigh less, you’ll burn fewer calories running the same distance. For example, a 120-pound person running at a 5 mile-per-hour pace will burn approximately 88 calories.

In practical terms, a person weighing 180 pounds who runs 5 miles a day will lose around 5 pounds in a month’s time. This weight loss can be achieved without making any changes in the diet.

Not a Fast Solution

While health experts agree when asked is running good for weight loss, it will take time and patience to shed pounds. This can be a problem if people want to see results right away.

Fitness experts also caution that a 10-minute run will not do much for weight loss or cardiovascular health. In order to get the full benefits of cardiovascular exercise, you need to workout and maintain your aerobic threshold for at least 30 minutes.

Long and Slow vs. Short and Fast

Studies show that the best weight loss results take place when people burn 2,800 extra calories per week through exercise. This means that long, slow runs (at least 30 minutes duration) 3 to 4 times a week burn more calories than short, fast runs.

Running is good for weight loss, but keep in mind that it will take time before you reach your desired weight. The good news is that running will also help improve your cardiovascular and overall health.

So you ask is running good for weight loss? And in fact it is although the weight will not come off right away but you will become healthier and lose the weight.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Aerobic Exercise
  • Related Blogs on Burn Calories