To be completely honest, I’ve never been a die-hard runner. In fact, the reason I go the majority of the time is to rock out to my iPod and appease my running addicted dogs. However, the more I continued to jog, the better I felt, the more energy I had, and the less I had to suck my gut in. It’s no secret, exercise is good for you. Throughout my career, I’ve come to realize just how good it is.
Here are 5 reasons why you owe it to yourself to hit the pavement:
Curb Your Appetite
It’s true, an intense jog can actually serve as an appetite suppressant by reducing the amount of hunger hormones your body produces. With the decrease in portion sizes coupled with the increase in caloric burn, running will have you well on your way to physical fitness and a smaller grocery bill.
Fight Stress
When you run, you give your body no choice but to release excess energy and hormones, thus helping to relieve stress levels after a hard day’s work. Trust me, there’s nothing like a good jog to clear your mind and rid yourself of the tension and anxiety life seems to provide all of us day in and day out.
Prevent Disease
Running just 75 minutes a week can help reduce the risk of breast cancer, strokes, diabetes and high blood pressure. A vigorous jog helps to strengthen your lungs, immune system and the majority of your muscles, most importantly, your heart.
Trim That Waist Line
The reason I started running wasn’t to prevent disease or compete in marathons; it was to avoid embarrassment when I took my shirt off at the lake. Per minute, no other cardiovascular exercise burns more calories than running. Expect to burn about 100-130 calories for every mile run (30-40% more than if you were to walk the same distance), depending on your body weight.
Cheap and Convenient
Jogging doesn’t require any fancy equipment, memberships or specialty athletic fields; it’s the one workout that costs nothing and can travel with you anywhere you go. Furthermore, it’s a great way to explore the neighborhood you live in or the town you’re visiting.
So, get out there and start running; a good jog is beneficial for the mind body and soul. Trust me, you’ll feel great and look even better. At the very least, you can use it as a way to justify all of those songs you downloaded last week. Either way, you’ll be better for it.
Adam McClure is a former college football player who has devoted himself to great health, farm fresh foods and innovative exercise. Adam is the co-founder of the Austin e84 Challenge and co-owner of Evolv Health in Austin, TX with his fiancé, Ashleigh.
