killeena

I have been thinking that I want to start jogging. I have heard that simply jogging helps with a lot of things, such as giving you energy, losing weight, confidence. Before I start, I do want to get some things figured out.

Should I run every day? Or is it bad to run too much?

What about alternatives to jogging? Would I get the same effect from riding a bike (a real mountain bike, not a stationary exercise bike)?

Running on a treadmill or any other exercise machine is incredibly boring, are there any other things you can do when it is freezing cold outside?

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Stompy

If you're not used to running, starting off doing it every day is hard on you.

It's best to build yourself up by doing it every other day. For example, start off running 1 minute, then walking 4 for 45 minutes total. Slowly increase your running time. Maybe during the next week, run 1 min 30 sec, walk 3 min 30 sec. etc..

Eventually you build yourself up so you can run 5, walk 2.. or run 10 and walk 3, getting closer to working you way up to running for a full 45 minutes.

Doing it that way lets your body adjust much better... muscles, joints, and the circulatory/cardiovascular systems. Once your lungs/heart get used to it, it's very easy.

I have a book on it if you wanna borrow it.

[edit]
As for whether or not you get the same effects from biking... it's all cardio, so I would assume so at least in terms of getting a decent workout. With running it seems you're putting more of your body into it - arms, torso, etc - whereas biking, it's all legs.

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c172g

I was 40 lbs overweight in college (all drinking & smoking, no exercise, lots of fast food). I played hockey all my life & racquetball, etc. so I was somewhat athletic, but for one year I really let myself go. My buddy told me to start jogging.

I went out & bought a decent pair of runners (first important part of running). I started two or three times a week & finally worked up to 1.5 miles every day. After a month, 20 of the pounds were gone & I felt better than I ever did in my entire life. I still smoked & drank on the weekends, but the mile & a half every day kept the weight off. I eventually got down to 185 from 225 & with running every day kept it right there regardless of what I ate. There were days I went for my normal jog, the "buzz" hit me & I wound up running seven miles.

My pulse went from the normal 72 to around 55 at the end of the first six months, and now I basically "maintenance" run. I'm now 35 & do a variety of exercises but with two kids not quite the time to devote to running every day.

I don't think there is an exercise as great as running, I think it gives you the biggest calorie burn in the shortest amount of time. All the crap of ruining your knees is bs unless you try & start when you're 80. You'll know if you need to take a break. You will go through some pulled muscles, probably at some point you'll get plantar fasciitis (fash-e-eye-tus), and a few others running related.

The biggest deal is get the right shoes. Road runner sports is a great place to buy your first pair, call the experts & they can help you figure out what is right for you. If you plan on running regularly, the wrong pair can make your feet absolutely miserable, the right pair can get you out for the extra mile every day. Spend 50-100 bucks on a pair once you know what type you need (high arch, pronation, etc.). An mp3 player with good tunes also helps.

Sorry for the long post, but running has done great things for my life, it's a super habit to get into.

Stompy

Hm, so there is such thing as runner's high?

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madcow

Yes, I've had it twice I think. It feels like you are gliding along and could run forever.

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Crisis

I used to run about 3 miles everyday. Haven't run in about 2 years now but started it up this week again. After I finish my jog (in the summer) I go to the nearest soccer or football field and do 20/40's. Sprint the field in 20 seconds and jog back in 40 seconds. I usually did that for half an hour. Every other day we'd do sprints up a steep hill. That was our endurance/cardio training for rugby.

c172g

Without a doubt...I wouldn't say I got one when I was on my 1.5 mile runs (not much anyway), but like was said above, when you get it, you'll run forever. I'm sure there's science to it, but you simply feel elated & all you can think about is how great it is to run!

almostaugust

Some good advice here.

Yeah runner's high is the shit. My understanding is that its to do with all the chemicals trying to equalise themselves in your system. Its a bit like a see-saw.

I think running is a great exercise. It helps with everything. It will positively effect your sleeping, eating and breathing. It gives you time to think. Teaches you about pain and your body. And can help you look good aswell.

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joeb1

Lots of good advise so far.

For me running is the best way to burn those calories. And doing a little strength training and building up muscle in other areas will only help.

Losing weight is simple. Some people make it out to be so difficult. You just have to remember it's calories in vs. calories out.

To answer your questions... Stompy was spot on about gradually easing into runnning. You have to give you body time to adjust to the stresses of running. Especially if you have not maintained an exercise program, and are overweight.

If you are overweight, and are worried about the effects. You can always start out cycling to drop a few pounds first.

c172g was also right about running shoes. It is very important to get a good pair. You can either order them online, such as his suggestion of RRS. Or you can search out a local running store. If they are a good one, they will put you on a treadmill and analyze your gait. And then make suggestions for shoes from there.

You can get good affects from any cardio done right. (time/stress) But if you want to get good at running, you will not get that from cycling.

As for runners high, yeah it happens. It seems to only hit me when on a run longer than 6 miles. It feels as if you are superman, each hill you come to you just want to go faster up it. It's a great feeling... But not something that happens very often.

Just remember to not start out to fast. There are some good basic articles on runnersworld.com

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JStrider

i did cross country in highschool... have ran off and on since being in college... usually corresponding with not running much when its way cold and running more when its nice outside...

get good shoes... like c172g said... good shoes can really make or break your initial running experience...

if you have trouble with motivation try to get a buddy to join you... when you run with a friend it can be less of a mind game...

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Yakk

Endorphins. Your body starts pumping out pain-reduction chemicals that act sort of like morphene if you push your body hard for a period of time.

The one time I felt it strongest was when I spun for 45 minutes, then lifted weights for 15, and then went back to spinning. I was feeling no pain.

One practical way to lose weight is to sign up for a net-flix like service (they mail you movies you pick from a list). Watch a different movie every night (or every 2nd night) while riding a stationary bike. I've heard that worked good for a number of people.

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

animal909

take a running class if you can at a community college (its usually 1 unit). I couldnt run anywhere for my life but in 2 weeks (2 day a week class) i could run 4 miles easily.