There are so many reasons to run! From staying fit and active to achieving mental health, running is an activity that has benefits for everyone! And you don't have to be a superstar athlete to do it. Running is definitely hard, it takes discipline to achieve your goals whether it be getting off the couch and running a mile or running your first marathon. Staying injury free can be hard too since most runners (myself currently) struggle with this at some point. But be warned, if you pick up this running habit it can be hard to stop! So prepare for a healthy addiction that will benefit your life!.
1. Health
Running boosts cardiovascular fitness and increases endurance, builds muscles, and gets your blood circulating through all your body's blood vessels and tissues. It will decrease your risk of heart disease, blood clots, cancer, and just give you an overall sense of well-being.
2. Mentality
Running boosts your mood by releasing endorphins like dopamine and serotonin throughout and after the run. Ever hear of the runner's high? The good feeling you get after a run can actually be addicting. While you may not get addicted right away, running is a healthy way to relieve stress. The physical exertion combined with the mental benefits make it one of the best ways to boost mood and relieve tension.
3. Healthy weight
Ever wonder how runners manage to eat everything in the room and still look as thin as a bean pole? Running burns about 105 calories per mile for women and 115 calories per mile for men making it one of the most efficient exercises for weight loss. If you want to lose weight, a 500 calorie deficit is usually the norm--think 5 miles and you have your deficit already without even changing your eating! You just have to be careful not to overindulge (because you definitely deserve it!)
4. Social connections
If you get involved in the running community, you are likely to find some of the friendliest, yet most competitive people you will ever meet. However, a runner's biggest competition is with himself or herself. If you go to a running event, you will find that no matter how different you and your competitors are, you all have a common goal which is to get to the finish line and run a good race! Races are like big social events where everyone is supportive of each other doing well and pushing themselves to be their best! And who knows, you might just make a new friend and running buddy!
5. Confidence
Running is all about setting goals, seeing what you can accomplish, and how far you can push yourself. Although running is a tough sport, if you stick with it you CAN and WILL achieve those goals. Once you do reach them, your level of confidence will increase and you will feel like you can achieve anything! (Once you push through a tough race, the sky is the limit on what else you can put your mind to!!) The best part about it? As a runner you can push yourself and build your confidence every. single. day.
There are many reasons to run--losing weight, getting fit, making friends, joining a sport, relieving stress. Running has so many benefits, but getting in the habit of running consistently is not as easy as it may seem. It takes time to get to the point where running feels natural and comfortable. Developing an addiction to running may take even longer. You might want to compete or you might just want to enjoy running for your own health and well being which is perfectly fine. Whichever reason you choose to run, stick with it and give it time (I'm talking weeks and months not days) and I promise you will see the benefits! Stay tuned for more insight onto how to get started with a running regimen!
