5 Ways Running Supports Weight Loss and Improves Your Health

Walking and running have always been hailed as the ultimate cardio exercises that are easy and effective for all age groups. If you’re craving a healthier lifestyle but can’t make the time to hit the gym, running about 30 minutes a day can get you started on the road to fitness.

Running is easy, doesn’t cost a thing and can be done at any time of the day. This simple workout benefits the body in numerous ways and even improves mental well-being. Here are five good reasons you should welcome running into your life.

It’s great for sustainable weight loss

Medical experts and fitness coaches agree on one thing—any weight-loss diet will not have the desired effect without regular physical exercise. If you’re trying to shed some extra pounds but have no time for heavy-duty workouts, make friends with running.

Whether your goal is to lose 10 pounds or 20, this simple cardio activity will boost your metabolism and help in your weight loss process by burning more calories. In fact, people with a sedentary lifestyle are often advised by their physicians to start walking for half an hour every day (or at least thrice a week), and then advance to brisk walking, jogging, then running. A stress-free exercise routine helps a person slowly experience the effects of this fabulous aerobic activity. Running is a wonderful starting point if you haven’t exercised in a while.

 It’s great for your heart

If you’re living with high cholesterol, excess weight, hypertension or diabetes, your heart could be taking a beating as a side effect of these conditions. Running or even brisk walking is a wonderful exercise that improves heart health without placing unnecessary strain on the cardiovascular system.

Doctors recommend light aerobic workouts such as walking, jogging and running as they improve oxygen delivery to the muscles. This strengthens the cardiovascular muscles, improves heart health and has a multi-pronged effect on your general wellbeing. If you’re living with a heart condition, please seek your doctor’s advice on the type, duration, and frequency of aerobic exercise best suited to your health.

It’s a prescription-free stress reliever

Any kind of exercise can give a boost to your mood, but nothing affects mental wellbeing as much as an outdoor activity. When you spend time outdoors walking or running, you will feel less stressed and more energized to find solutions to everyday problems. Studies have found that outdoor exercise releases hormones linked to mental wellness, which is why many people report improvement in mood and reduction in anxiety or negative thoughts after spending time in nature.

But what does this have to do with weight loss? Allie Crandall from Evolve Fit Wear says that stress affects the way we break down fat, so relieving stress can help with weight loss. People who walk or run every day feel a definite surge in their energy and fitness levels.

Some stress is normal but if you’re finding it hard to cope with work pressure or household demands, it could be making you sick. Give running a try and you may just discover a new path to complete wellness.

It helps you burn more fat

More and more people are learning that body weight is not a true indicator of a person’s health. Experts say that it’s not your weight but the percentage of fat in your body that truly tells how healthy you are. A healthy person may weigh more than someone with flab, but this is because they have more muscle mass (muscle is heavier than fat). 

Undoubtedly, if your body has more fat than muscle, your weight loss efforts need to focus on losing the fat, and running helps you do just that. Running requires energy and muscles get that energy from the calories stored in your body. As you run more, your fat reserves will start to deplete and your muscles will gain stamina. In addition, your blood sugar will normalize, which will further help you beat excess weight.

It increases good cholesterol

Last but not least, one of the greatest benefits of running is that it improves HDL levels, which is critical for a healthy heart. As your cardiovascular health improves with regular running, you can expect to see an improvement in your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. To this end, running can reduce the effects of a former unhealthy lifestyle and enable you to take control of your health. This light aerobic exercise is highly recommended to reduce the risk of lifestyle disorders among the general population.