Tuesday, January 8, 2013

How to Run to Improve Your Health and Fitness Levels

By Ron Stucky


Jogging is a great form of exercise that many people enjoy which also helps boost their energy level and mood. There are challenges, though, like sticking with your program week after week. You also have to avoid injuries, which can really slow down your progress. The guidelines that follow are meant to help you keep you healthy and motivated with your jogging.

You should always stretch before and after jogging. You don't want to hurt yourself, so be sure you learn how to stretch and then do it. As you know, you're creating sustained impact pressure and forces when you jog, and stretching will prepare your muscles for it. When you stretch, you should stay relaxed and not strain yourself. Remember that if you are too aggressive when you stretch you can actually cause injuries, so go slow - no bouncing. If you're not familiar with stretching exercises, just keep in mind that you do not want to be a macho person and stretch "until it hurts." That is incorrect and dangerous stretching.

The best way to jog or run is to start off slowly and gradually increase your speed. Avoid bouncing up and down too much, like you have springs in your legs, and make the length of your stride comfortable and not too long like you're stretching. Pay attention to your gait, and keep your shoulders relaxed but not leaning too far ahead or behind. If you're jogging and are kind of new to it, it's best to keep your pace no more than your ability to talk while you jog. If your intent is to jog for healthy reasons and enjoyment, then there is no need to run like you're training, and you can get the benefits while greatly reducing the chance of running injuries. You will see better results and feel better, too, if you keep the pace consistent rather than running faster when you initially begin your jog. Always avoid just stopping your jog from your normal pace to an immediate full stop because that can cause injury.

Always take in some water before you begin your jog every time. Don't eat before running unless you want to throw up - simple as that. The very best, number one thing to drink is water, and until our bodies change - that will remain unchanged. Don't drink a large amount before your run, as this can weigh you down. If you want to carry a water bottle with you when you jog, you can but it's really not necessary unless you're running a very good distance. Never drink water that has a color you cannot name - clear water is the ticket. We hope we don't need to explain why you should hydrate before and after - you should know that it's really important.

Listening to your body and watching for warning signs is a great way to avoid injuries. It's fine to push yourself a little, but not to the point of overexhaustion. If you are just starting out with jogging, start off slowly and gradually increase your speed and distance. When you're running, stop if you feel any sharp pains, and if the pain doesn't go away, go see your doctor. Pushing yourself too hard can end up doing you more harm than good, so always pay attention to how you feel when jogging. There are several reasons to take up jogging. You will see an improvement to your overall fitness level, along with losing any excess weight you may have. You will see it can even improve your mood. The main factor to getting the most out of your running is to be consistent. To get started with this powerful exercise, just use these tips and you're well on your way to better health and fitness.




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