subject: Jogging - How To Gain Maximum Benefits From Healthy Exercise [print this page] Jogging is a great form of exercise that boosts your energy and mood, which is why so many people love it. But sticking with your program day after day can be a challenge. Your progress can be slowed way down by an injury, so you need to be careful. Stay healthy and motivated to jog with these tips.
If you are going to run or jog to get in shape, you must be consistent. Most people are really gung-ho at first, and sometimes they even go overboard. That's when injury results and so they put running off for a few months. This is not the way to get the real benefits of running. You should start slowly, and be consistent. It's best to run or jog for thirty minutes at a time, at least three days per week. Don't worry about how fast or slow you're going, especially when you're first beginning. The best way to do it is to start off with just a little bit at a time instead of pushing the body so hard that you injure yourself or quit out of frustration.
While it's true that running when you're sick or injured is never smart, it will still become necessary to really motivate yourself sometimes. If you usually have a dozen excuses for not running or jogging, such as that you're too worn out or your schedule's too busy, then you will probably quit your running routine prematurely.
If you've never run anywhere except to the bathroom, then it's highly recommended that you begin small and with power walking. Power walking will help your body get used to activity, and it's actually a good workout in itself. You can begin with the smallest steps you want, and then just proceed at your own comfortable pace. Once you're comfortable and ready for more, then do more such as a slow and steady run, or jog, but be sure to listen to your body. That kind of approach is safe and natural, and all along your body knows what's going on, too. Power walking can be a healthy and beneficial activity in itself, and people who cannot run because of an injury or health problem can power walk instead. We still recommend walking first because it's a safe and effective way to get used to running.
You will get the most out of jogging if you can stay healthy and avoid injuries. Jogging is great for your fitness but it can also cause some injuries.
To help you avoid injuries, you need to listen to your body and watch for any warning signs. Pushing yourself to the point of being over exhausted is not a good idea. You should start off slow and gradually increase your speed and distance. Stop running if you feel any sharp pains and see your doctor if it doesn't go away. Pushing yourself too hard can end up doing you more harm than good, so always pay attention to how you feel when jogging.
So use these running tips that you just learned about to get back in shape and to make yourself driven to complete your running goals. Remember, if you want to get healthier by running, you have to make it a regular part of your life. So make sure you are smart about your running routine so that you can continue as long as possible and so that you're not derailed by an injury.
