FireUpMetabolism.com

Posts Tagged ‘health and fitness’

A great aerobic activity to strengthen your mind and body is jogging. Jogging is an appropriate exercise for anyone regardless of size or fitness level. 

All you need to learn how to start running is a good pair of running shoes.  Make sure your shoes fit well and offer adequate support.  Once you are set with shoes, you are ready to begin jogging.  The first day may be the most difficult.  Regardless of how hard you have to push your mind and body keep on trying.

You will find yourself encouraged if you have a way to measure your progress.  Each method of measuring progress has its own pros and cons.  Choose the means of measuring progress that is easiest for you.  Keep everything simple in order to keep you encouraged to jog.  A treadmill will measure speed and distance, but many people find a treadmill monotonous and boring over time. 

Jog at a park or on a road where you can identify landmarks that will indicate how far you have gone.  A stopwatch, either handheld or on a watch, will help measure speed over distance.  This is a great way to keep up with your progress.  Another useful tool to use when jogging is an MP3 player, or iPod.  Music is a great motivator and helps pass the time.  A jogging partner can also help keep you accountable to your jogging routine.  A partner is helpful to keep you accountable when you find it difficult to continue jogging.

Before you jog begin with a short warm up of walking and stretching.  This should only take two to three minutes, just enough time to get your blood pumping.  Your first goal as a jogger should be to accomplish a certain distance.  Work on speed and time as you go.  As a beginner you may run three and a half to four miles an hour.  You may not be impressed with your speed, but don’t worry about it.  You will improve with time.  You will also improve as you learn to take your stride.  Some joggers are more comfortable with a long stride, while others feel better with shorter, quicker strides. 

At first, jogging will take more willpower than physical energy.  You will have to work to overcome the obstacles that your mind throws in the way of your jogging.  You can do it.  One of the first steps is believing you can.  Slow your mind and concentrate on good breathing and self motivation.  Keep in mind that you will make progress over time. Go as far as you can, then take a short walk to cool down.  It will help keep your muscles loose if you will take time to stretch after your cool down.