Given the nature of the global pandemic – which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon – everyone is trying hard to find ways of staying healthy and fit while being safe. Going to the gym seems completely out of the question these days, and anyway, they are not always in a vicinity close to the majority of us. It is no wonder then that biking and running have seen an uptick as of late, and is now the sport of choice for many looking to maintain their sense of wellbeing during a particularly strenuous time in human history.
Whether you are a newbie or an avid runner, there are a few habits you need to build in order to ensure that your health is at optimum levels and that you are enjoying your time out there practicing the sport. The following are a few basic habits every runner needs to build.
1. Don’t Forget to Warm Up
Some people leave the house in a hurry, eager to start their exercise routine without thinking that they may need to ease their way into things first. However, it is incredibly important to get into the habit of warming up. Otherwise, you risk injury since you are not fully engaging your muscles and preparing them for the hard work you’re about to embark upon. It’s also helpful to warm-up when the weather is cold since it will get your core rearing to go faster, as opposed to shivering through the first leg of the journey. Also, it has been proven that warming up first gets your body prepared enough to be able to burn off calories a lot more easily. Jumping right into your fitness regimen doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be burning fat quickly.
2. Maintaining a Routine
Running is wonderful since you don’t need a lot of specialized equipment. You just put on your running shoes and step outside the door. However, there will be many times, especially in the winter, when you cannot simply go out for a run or jog. That could be a bummer, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up on working out entirely. In fact, going cold turkey is generally a bad idea, since your muscles will lose their elasticity and you will be stiff and out of shape before you know it. During down seasons when you know that it will be too rainy or snowy to go out for a run, it helps a great deal to invest in fitness equipment to keep your metabolism going. Keeping your body at a set equilibrium, regardless of the season, is incredibly important to your overall health.
3. Run in the Morning
Going out for a run first thing in the morning is the best way to help you ensure that you will be able to maintain your routine. Postponing it till later in the day, when it’s dark and colder out is not just potentially dangerous, but it can demotivate you. Besides, it’s usually best to run after you had a light yet protein-packed breakfast, not on a stomach full of pasta or other rich foods that weigh you down. Experienced runners will tell you that going for a run first thing in the morning is the safest way to ensure that you will stick to the habit.
Running is a healthy and relatively economical way of staying in shape, regardless of the circumstances. Take better care of yourself by not only devoting time to becoming an avid runner but also cultivate the habits listed above to ensure that you are as healthy as can be given the circumstances.
