Running Is A Great Form Of Exercise

Many people go running for various reasons. The most common reason is weight loss; sixty percent of people start running because they want to lose weight!

Some other reasons include stress relief, training for a sport, or they just want to exercise and running happens to be free. Whatever the reasoning, people are getting off their couches and running, and this is great!

The more that people exercise, the healthier our population will be as a whole. But running doesn't just burn fat and calories; it has many other benefits too.

Burning calories and fat however, is still a great thing. Out of all cardiovascular exercise, running is one of the best forms of exercise with regards to how many calories you burn, only being beaten by cross-country skiing.

This is a big key to losing weight. There are also many stories of people losing lots of weight just by eating healthier and starting to run daily.

Running also is good for your cholesterol. It raises HDL (good cholesterol) among other great things.

It also encourages more lung use. The average person only uses 50% of their lungs, and running requires you to use all of them.

Another great thing about running is that it increases your white blood cell count, which means a boost to your immune system. Who doesn't want to fight disease and save on doctor bills?

Running also helps prevent bone and muscle loss. Many people develop osteoporosis when they are older; that's why an old woman falling generally sends her to the hospital for hip surgery.

But this can be prevented! Running regularly will build your muscles and bones up enough that they can stand the wear and tear of being old, without getting broken or torn and needing replacement.

But how does this work? With most things, the more you use it, the quicker it wears out.

However, the human body is different. The more you exercise the more resistance you build up, and you actually strengthen yourself.

With regards to muscles, it's quite simple. When you over-exert yourself, you may tear your muscle.

This will require you to rest a couple days so it can heal. But, because the body is so great, it realizes that a torn muscle means you want to do more with your body now.

They accommodate to this change and repair the muscle to be even more strong and versatile than it was before. Isn't that wonderful?

Another great thing about running is that is helps you out mentally. It increases your drive and focus.

While running, you usually reach that point where you want to stop and rest. However, if you keep going, with your health goal in mind, you are thereby using goals as motivation and ignoring distractions.

Running also improves your confidence; overcoming our own obstacles and getting healthier are great ways to boost your self-esteem. Running is so beneficial.

Destry Masterson is a health, fitness and nutrition expert. She has written articles about diet and exercise and recommends http://www.treadmillsensei.com for information about treadmills. Contact Info: Destry Masterson - MyOnlineArticleWriting@gmail.com - Twitter: @DestryMasterson