Running is an exercise that can be easily recommended to just about anyone. Most people can do it. It’s cheap. It gives you an excuse to get out in the world. It’s great at helping you burn calories. But it’s not as easy as realizing that for a lot of people. They need a proper approach to running. Here is that approach.
Find your motivation
Getting shifted off our backside is where it all begins. You need to find your motivation. Set a goal for yourself, something to focus on in the long-term. It could be a certain amount of weight shifted. It could be a mile in a certain amount of time. But remember that short-term motivation is as important as the long-term as well. Find what helps you kick into high gear. For some people, music is what gets them going, like the playlist at therunningawards.com. For others, finding company to run alongside can make the experience significantly more enjoyable.
Set up a plan
Don’t just start out the door, running as hard as you can, as often as you can. That’s an easy way to end up injured. Set up a weekly plan, finding out how long and how often you can run. Take it gentle at first. Make sure you give yourself proper rest days after you run. Then start adding more distance as you go. Rest, sleep and proper nutritional differences need to go in as part of that plan. If you neglect one aspect of your health, it affects all others. You’re not going to be doing much good running if you don’t eat or sleep.
Get real gear
You’re not going to be doing much effective running in jeans, either. You need to find the right gear before you start trying to run seriously. This means running clothes that fit (and stay in place) for a start. It also means reflective gear if you plan on running at night or in less populated areas. Real running gear like running belts from fitnessmusthaves.com are important, too. Relying on pockets is something you’ll soon realize is quite the mistake.
Keep it fun
Like everything, you get used to running. The physical sensation of adrenaline might not be all the motivation you need to keep at it. For a lot of people, running becomes a hobby, not just an exercise activity. To that end, you should consider how you can add variation. If you keep it fun, then you make it easier to keep at it. You can get involved in marathons in your area, for instance. Or you might decide to go trail running. Deal with new terrain in new locales. See a bit of the world as you get out there. Whatever keeps you running, do it.
Remember that running is about starting a lifestyle that sticks with you for as long as it possibly can. You want to keep going, so don’t feel like it’s about pushing your immediately. It’s about finding what works for you and building on it as you go.
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