Running: Is It the Right Exercise for You?

There are many benefits to running, but even so, running is not for everyone. Running is a high impact sport and can often cause permanent injury to joints and muscles. You should carefully consider whether running is the right sort of exercise for you. Before you start a running program, visit your local doctor.

The benefits of running

1. Running keeps you fit and healthy

2. Running improves your mood

3. Running helps reduce your blood pressure

4. Running increases the elasticity of your muscles and arteries

5. Running increases your lung capacity

6. Running strengthens your heart and prevents heart attack

7. Running produces a feeling of euphoria

8. Running helps you sleep better

9. Running controls your appetite for food

10. Running decreases your stress levels.

A combination of running and dieting will bring you quick results

While running is one of the most exhausting and lonely exercise routines, it really does produce some of the best results. Combined with a reasonable diet a person who runs can quickly see weight loss results. The more weight you carry, the quicker you will lose weight. Running can make you burn around 100 calories per mile, depending on your initial weight. Other types of exercises, such as walking and biking, don't burn that much.

But running is not for everyone. If you are not generally active then running should not be the first sort of exercise you get into. Start with something lower impact, such as walking or biking. Your joints will thank you. If you are not a seasoned fitness fan, then running would probably do you more harm than good. Visit your doctor for a fitness assessment and advice on how to begin an exercise program that will quickly gear you up for running.

Dylan Miles, journalist, and publisher, is the owner and co-editor of http://www.fitnessmentor.info on which you will find more a detailed version of this article.

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