It’s widely accepted that regular exercise is an important part of a healthy body and mind, and jogging/running is one of the most popular ways to get active. With the world slowly coming out of hard lockdowns many people are getting concerned about the weight they’ve gained while being stuck indoors for months. Exercise can help with weight loss (along with dietary changes) and is hugely beneficial to your mood, which is crucial to your health. Before you start your workout regime, however, you need to do a little bit of research to make sure you get the most out of your chosen activity and have fun while you’re at it. Jogging or running doesn’t require much equipment, but there are still some dos and don’ts to bear in mind.
Do: Get The Right Shoes
Assuming that you are healthy enough to start running, getting the right shoes is probably the most important thing you can do. Incorrect shoes can cause pain and injury, which is a sure way to extinguish your enthusiasm. Going to a shop that specializes in running shoes is a good start – apart from getting the right size, they’ll be able to tell whether you need shoes for over-pronation or supination (whether your feet collapse inward or roll outward).
Don’t: Dive In At The Deep End
Running can be tough on the body and if you start out too hard, you can get injured very quickly. This ties into an important “do” – take it slow and don’t be afraid to take walk breaks. Pushing through discomfort can improve your performance, but there’s a difference between tiredness and the pain of a pulled muscle or strained tendon. Taking breaks will help your body get fitter in a more sustainable way.
Do: Set Realistic Goals
Setting goals is helpful in keeping you on track, as well as boosting your self-esteem when you achieve what you set out to do. If it’s the first time you’re trying running or you haven’t exercised for a long time, be careful of setting over-ambitious goals. Pushing yourself too hard too soon can lead to injury, and if you don’t meet your own expectations, you’ll probably lose motivation.
Don’t: Run Alone
Sure, sometimes it’s wonderful to escape by yourself and forget your worries for half an hour, but there are numerous reasons why always running alone isn’t the best idea. Apart from the safety aspect, working out with someone else can push you to do better and you’ll motivate one another to show up.
Do: Aim For Variety
The variety includes cross-training (cycling, swimming, strength training, and even yoga) and rest. Rest is actually where all your gains happen – muscles rebuild while you rest, which is why it is so vital. Plus – if you run 7 days a week you’ll quickly get sick of it.
Most Importantly: Have Fun
You won’t stick to an exercise regime if it’s a chore or a way to punish yourself. To avoid this, follow these pointers, reward yourself when you check this site after a successful workout, and experiment to find out what type of running suits you best.
