Running Benefits for a Healthier You
Running exercise is good for both fitness and health. Running can help to fight disease and reduce stroke and breast cancer. A regular running program is often prescribed by doctors for patients who are at high risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension. It strengthens the heart muscles, maintains the elasticity of the arteries, and lowers blood pressure.
It can raise the HDL or the good cholesterol of the body, reduce the risks of blood clots, encourages the use of 50 percent of the lungs that often go unused, and boosts the immune system by creating a much higher concentration of lymphocytes or the white blood cells that attack diseases.
It is the most accessible of all aerobic sports. It is also inexpensive and all you need are good shoes and proper running clothes. It can reduce heart attacks, especially for pre-menopausal women and reduces stress.
Target Body Areas:
*Running is considered one of the best exercises for women especially if weight loss is the aim.
*This is effective in the thigh buttocks and belly areas.
*It involves all the muscles in the body because it is an intensive workout.
*The leg and hip muscles are worked during running so this would be a very good opportunity to lose weight and tone your legs.
*Running burns belly fat as it increases metabolism and can stimulate the burning of fat in the belly area.
*The abs are used while running and they contract and expand so that the fat in the belly area can be eliminated fast.
Running is very beneficial as we all know but this does not mean that everyone should participate.
Running is a high impact sport and can cause permanent injury to joints and muscles. If you are not that active at the moment this may do you more harm than good. You may be better off with a lower impact sport like biking or walking as this will not have such an impact on your joints.
Running is exhausting but you can get great results, so it makes it all worth it!
If you really want to get into running then have a fitness assessment and get advice on how to begin an exercise program that will quickly set you up for running on a regular injury free basis.
Other Health Benefits of Beginning a Running Program
*Running strengthens your heart and prevents heart attack
*Running is a positive mood enhancer
*Running helps in reducing blood pressure
*Running keeps you generally fit and healthy
*Running increases the elasticity of muscles & arteries
*Running helps to increase lung capacity
*Running helps to deal with your stress levels
*Running aids sleep
*Running helps to control your appetite
If weight loss is you main goal a combination of running and dieting should bring quick results. People who run normally see satisfactory, quick weight loss. Running will burn off more calories than walking and biking and you will burn off on average around 100 calories per mile.
So if you have checked with your doctor that this form of exercise is ok for you get on your running shoes! and make keeping fit part of your Healthy People 2020 goal!