If you want to get in shape and you know you’ve let things get a little too lax in terms of exercise and your body shape, running is the best place to start. Running is an activity that you can do with little more than some clothes and a pair of running shoes. Once you’ve got those, you’re ready to go.
So if you think it’s time to start using running as your primary method of getting in shape, you’ll want to approach it in the right way. And that’s precisely what we’re going to talk about today. You can find out all about getting in shape through running below, so read on and find out more.
Find Someone to Run With
If you’re entirely new to running and you’re a little concerned that you might find it boring or lonely, it can be a good idea to find someone who you can run with. When you have a person by your side who you can interact with and get tips and guidance from, it can make your first experiences of running far more positive than they might otherwise be. So if you know a friend that’s already into running, be sure to talk to them and get involved alongside them.
Start Slow and Don’t Worry About Pace
Starting slowing is one of the best things you can do if you’re new to running or if you’re transitioning back into it after a long time away. You don’t need to worry about the pace you’re setting early on because it’s all about building up your fitness and getting into the swing of things. By starting slowly and making progress from there, you can make it much easier to get to where you want to be. So don’t worry so much about your pace and instead focus on being consistent.
Invest in Some Basic Gear
If you don’t already have a good pair of running shoes, that’s the most important thing for you to invest in early on. These will make your experience far more pleasant because regular sneakers are simply not up to the task of doing a lot of running, either on the streets or in the gym. They don’t offer the support you need, or the bounce and lightweight build that you can get from the best running shoes out there. So invest in this basic stuff, as well as comfortable clothes if you’re serious about running.
Build Up Your Activity Over Time
Building up your activity over time is a good way to make sure that you don’t burn yourself out as you start getting into running. If you’re entirely new to this and you want to lose a little weight, it’s a good idea to make progress gradually. But that doesn’t mean that progress isn’t important. If you keep things static for too long at a time, your progress will stall and you probably won’t get to where you want to be. So when things get too easy, ratchet them up a notch.
Give Yourself Days Dedicated to Rest
Giving yourself days that are dedicated to resting and recovering is really important. You want to make sure that you’re giving yourself that opportunity to recover and make progress because if you’re not able to do that, you’ll burn out too quickly and risk getting injured. Working out every day of the week is not the best idea. Having days off when you rest and take it easy or maybe do some much lighter exercise, such as yoga, is definitely a good idea.
Don’t Shy Away from Competition Once You’re Ready
It’s important not to shy away from the competition if you really want to make progress. Of course, this is not something that you need to worry about right away. But once you feel like you’re ready to start pushing yourself a little more, it can be very helpful if you compete in distance races. You can find 5k and 10K races in your area pretty easily. And you might even want to try a marathon one day. These races give your something to build up to and work towards.
Use Protein When Working Out
If you want to get more out of your workouts and you want to burn excess fat a little faster, it’s a good idea to think about how your diet needs to change. Reducing the number of carbs you’re eating is a good idea and is a good place to start. On top of that, you’ll need to think about protein as this is essential for building up your muscles, which you’ll use when running. Find a place that has a protein sale if you’re looking for a discounted protein shake solution.
Use Visualization to Motivate You
If you’re struggling to stay motivated when things get a little tough with your running efforts, it might be a good idea to use visualization as a tool. By visualizing your goals, you can really focus on what you want to achieve. It should give you that extra boost of motivation when you need it most of all. Things get tough sooner or later, and being able to push through those tough moments is vital.
Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress is certainly something that you might want to think about because it’s another way in which you can stay positive and motivated as you work towards your goals. When you can see the progress you’re making and you notice the difference that’s being made as a result of the effort you’re putting in, it’s very satisfying and very motivating too.
As you can see, there are lots of different ways in which you can approach running and make the most of it by running. Running is one of the easiest and long-standing forms of human exercise, so if you’re looking to benefit both mentally and physically, you should make the most of the advice above.