There are plenty of methods you can apply to maintain the right weight and keep your body in shape. Some people prefer dieting, going to the gym, swimming or even more rigorous exercise regimens such as hiking. You can achieve some level of success with either of these methods as long as you follow a steady routine without faltering.
If you are more inclined towards exercising in the outdoors, you may want to consider running to maintain your figure. To most people, the thought of running resonates with strenuous exercise over rough terrains, but running goes beyond aching muscles and joints. In this article, we delve into how running helps you stay in shape without the need for restrictive diets.
1) Losing weight
If you are aiming to shed a few pounds in time for summer vacation with the family, invest in a pair of good trainers and hit the track. Running increases the energy requirement in your body cells thus instructing the body to burn extra calories to supply enough fuel. This process is known as metabolism. Spending all day in a sitting position binging on a bag of chips is sure to cause excess calories in your body.
If the body does not consume these calories, it converts them to body fat. For many people, the presence of excess body fat is evident in a bulging abdomen and thigh area. You can counter this by introducing a strict running routine after work to burn the extra calories. Running also boosts your resting metabolism so you can continue to burn calories even afterward.
2) Functional strength
Running improves the performance of various joints that are responsible for movement as we go about our daily activities. For instance, running tones the arms and therefore, you can lift objects off the ground without straining. The same concept applies to your leg and thigh muscles. If you typically endure shortness of breath and immense pain after negotiating a flight of stairs, running will strengthen your leg and thigh muscles so you can go up and down the stairs with ease.
3) Reduces stress
Finding the time to run at least thrice a week will improve your mood drastically. This effect arises from the fact that running induces the release of endorphins that elevate your mood. If you are feeling a little blue, a thirty minute run around the neighborhood park will do you some good and save you from drowning.
Anxiety and other mental disorders like depression often lead to cravings for comfort foods like chocolate, ice cream, cake and even salty chips. Emotional eating can have adverse effects on our health as these foods have high sugar content beyond the level that we should consume. Running to boost your mood keeps such temptations at bay, and you do nit have to suffer the consequences of a late night binge.
4) Utilize your fat
Since running is a physical activity that involves several muscles and joints in tandem, it encourages better utilization of fat present in the body. This way, you can consume a healthy serving of carbohydrates in your diet without the fear of piling it up in problem areas like inner thighs and belly. It is for this reason that doctors recommend running over walking. While walking is some form of great exercise, it does not utilize as much fat as running will do.
If you are fond of walking home from work, try increasing the pace to jogging for several days then upgrade to a full run until you see arrive at your destination. Running also helps to tackle internal fat popularly known as visceral fat. Ignoring internal fat leads to build up over the years followed by a range of health issues. Regular exercise will eradicate internal body fat without the need for extreme interventions like surgery.
Conclusion
Running is an effective way of keeping your body shape and maintaining your overall body health. If you are contemplating this exercise, start with brisk walking then upgrade to jogging around a race track. Within a few weeks, you will be ready to run several miles at a time without stopping. Find a running buddy who can hold you accountable even on days when you feel like quitting. Within no time, running will become second nature and your efforts will culminate into a svelte figure.