Health Benefits of Running

I finally got back into running after years of not doing it. I can't tell you how good I feel. I wanted to start a thread to tally up all the benefits, in case I can help motivate someone else to get going.

-running burns more calories per minute than any other form of cardiovascular exercise.

-Running regularly also has been proven to help fight the aging process.

-running prevents muscle and bone loss that often occur with age. by running regularly our skeleton gets the demand it needs to stay healthy.

-running also helps to fight disease. Running reduces the risk of stroke and breast cancer. Regular running has become a treatment option for doctors to prescribe to patients who are at a high risk, or early stages, of osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension.

-running helps lower blood pressure by maintaining the elasticity of the arteries. As a person runs, his or her arteries expand and contract more than usual, keeping the arteries elastic and the blood pressure low. In fact, most serious runners have unusually low blood pressure.

-Running also helps maximize the lungs’ potential, as it keeps them strong and powerful. While deep breaths force the lungs to use more tissue, the 50% of normally unused lung potential is utilized. Even smokers can sometimes recover full lung potential through running.

-Runners say the intense exhilaration and euphoria that comes after a run is what motivates them most. In fact, this euphoria comes from a betaendorphin release triggered by the neurons in the nervous system. Intended to alleviate the pain after a run, it creates a feeling of extreme happiness and exhilaration. Runners become addicted to this intense high, and it can often replace other addictions to drugs, alcohol, and even food.

-Running does not increase appetite. In fact, exercise tends to diminish it, acting as a suppressant.

-running is often used to treat clinical depression and other psychological disorders. Furthermore, some doctors claim that running works as well as psychotherapy in helping patients with clinical depression. Running makes patients less tense, less depressed, less fatigued, and less confused.

Mon. Jun 18, 11:02am

...and unfortunately, it can trash your feet and knees :(

Monday, June 18, 2007, 11:08 AM

It will only trash your knees and feet if you don't get the best shoes. I am a marathoner (4) and I run alot, the best advice in the world is get the right shoes, and trade them out after about 300 miles. I only wear those shoes for running.

Monday, June 18, 2007, 11:12 AM

great thread!!!

i recently started running again too, i ran my first (in 12 years) 5k this last saturday and i feel amazing! i can't wait to hit the pavement to put some more miles on my feet!

and i second the notion that shoes make all the difference! only wear your running shoes for running/walking and never out to do daily chores. furthermore, STRETCH to avoid injuries!

Monday, June 18, 2007, 11:41 AM

I've never been a runner but I'm trying to get into it. It's really tough! I sort of hate every minute of it but I'm sticking with it and slowly going for longer and longer.

Monday, June 18, 2007, 11:57 AM

CoolRunning

I just started the program on coolrunning.com. I have just finished week 1, but it is really good and you gradually increase the amount you run each week. I like it because it gives me small goals to reach. It is supposed to help you be able to run 3 miles in 9 weeks!

Link

Monday, June 18, 2007, 2:44 PM

I agree. running rocks!!!! i started running in march to up the intensity of my workouts. i was hoping to drop more pounds by doing this, but i really haven't-however running has still made a huge difference in my body-my thighs are slimmer, my waist is smaller and in general i feel strong! i look forward to going running now in ways i never looked forward to other workouts. i am now up to 6 miles and am averaging 18 miles a week! I can't wait till I am doing 30 mpw!!!

running will only trash your feet and knees if, as another poster pointed out, you wear the wrong shoes, or overtrain, or don't rest your body often enough. running actually strengthen's your feet and knees if done properly and it is sure less stress on one's knees than being overweight!!

Monday, June 18, 2007, 2:52 PM

I have always thought I can burn more calories on elliptical (fat burning) for 60 min then running 5.2 on the tread

Monday, June 18, 2007, 2:55 PM

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