Fitness Friday: Running

I'm going to start a new weekly post on my blog called Fitness Friday. Basically I will be introducing a new way to work out every week. I will list the pros and cons of each that way you can decide if you want to try it out. It seemed like a fun way to find out about a variety of ways to work out! 

Now, let's get started with our first Fitness Friday! It's my favorite form of exercise...running! 

Pros:

-Relieves Stress: Running is one of the top forms of exercise that relieves the most stress. Running gets rid of the stress-causing compounds in your body. It's also a great time to get outside and clear your head. This is truly one of my number one stress relievers. 

-Helps Prevent Heart Disease: Dr. Peter Schnohr says that running increases oxygen intake that improves cardiac function. It also lowers your blood pressure. Plus, Schnohr and his team calculated that runners live up to 5-7 years longer than non runners do. If that doesn't get you out the door, I don't know what will!!! 

-Helps With Weight Loss: Many cardio exercises help with weight loss, but running seems to be the one that hits a home run. The increase of activity just burns and burns all of those calories. Depending on your speed and weight, you could burn about 100 calories per mile. During my half marathon, I burned more than 1,200 calories! Running can be used for weight loss or just to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Either way, it's a great calorie burner. 

Cons:

-Joint Problems: Osteoarthritis can be caused by running, but recent research shows that the number of people getting Osteoarthritis has gone down. Usually, joint problems come from running if you've already had a pre-existing condition. 

-Injury: Running can cause injuries out of nowhere. You could be having the best run of your life and them BAM! you pull something or get a cramp. It's awful and it happens sometimes. But this doesn't mean that you should stop running forever. The benefits of running are too great to think about getting hurt ;) 

-Time: Depending on your distance, running can take a huge chunk of time out of your day. Especially if your training for a long distance such as a half marathon or full marathon. Those 11 mile runs take lots of time and energy out of your day. But it also feels so good afterwards right?!

I hope that you guys enjoyed this first Fitness Friday post. Now why don't you go out there and try to go for a run? As Hercules says, "I know every mile will be worth my while." And it will! So get out there this weekend and rake in those miles. Have a great weekend :) 

*Remember to follow me on Instagram @runningemily1 

QOTD: Have you ever tried running? What are your pros and cons for the sport?