I know what most of you are thinking as you read the title of this article: no no no no! I hate to run. I've never enjoyed it, I never will enjoy it, and I am content with that.

Well, let me try and persuade you a little here.

First off, I understand. I was totally in your shoes when I started high school. I could maybe run a mile, but that was only if someone required me to do so. I never did it out of free will.

But, for some strange reason, I randomly signed up for cross country, thinking it would force me to run. Though it was definitely a wakeup call and much harder than I thought at first, it truly made me fall in love with running and I've been running ever since.   

I know you've heard it said time after time, but running really is one of the biggest stress relievers I've come across. Even if you're crunched for time during the week, running for even 10 minutes can clear your head and helps you be more productive in what you do after.   

But I get it; a lot of people can't just jump into running and fall in love with it. And some people may never love running no matter what they do. But I thought I'd share a few tips I learned over the years to help anyone who's willing to try.   

1. Know the right form. Running isn't easy but it definitely isn't easy (and can actually be painful) if you have the wrong form. Alternate walking with running to ease your way into it (and make the time go by faster).   

2. Don't Start Off Too Big. If you've never run a mile before, don't tell yourself that you will be able to run 4 miles by the end of the month. That won't happen. Take baby steps and again, alternate walking with running if you need.     

3. Get Good Music. It really is everything. Find what works best for you when you run. My ever-changing mind alternates between Jack Johnson-ish music and then hardcore rap. Listening to good music can distract your mind.   

4. Take Your Run Outside. It makes it easier to lose track of time and you'll distract yourself by looking at the surroundings. Plus running up and down hills is an added bonus. But maybe wait for Baton Rouge to cool off before you venture outdoors. I can barely walk to my car right now and now want to pass out.   

5. Get Techy and Download Apps. They're so much more motivating and some even give you a plan of how much to run, like Couch to 5K. Nike+ Running is a personal favorite because you can sync it with your iPod.   

6. Know the benefits. The most important reason of all. I didn’t truly love running until I realized how good it was for me. It works every part of your body, gets your heart rate up, and leaves you with lots of endorphins.

All it takes is a willingness to try. If you do so, maybe you'll discover the same joy of running that I've been lucky enough to experience.