When you think of a runner who comes to your mind instantly? Usain Bolt or Jerry Owens? Whoever comes to your mind, we think of a lean, tall, and shredded body whenever we picture a runner in our mind. And if you are looking for the right pair for you, check the best running shoes for women.
However, the truth is, a runner’s body comes in all shapes and sizes, and running can transform everyone’s body in different ways; thankfully, all the changes are good changes.
The best thing about running is that you don’t need extravagant instruments to perform. All you need is a pair of running shoes, and you are good to go. Here are the nine ways running can transform your body in a good way. Let’s get started.
9 Ways Running Can Transform Your Body
- Helps to Lose Weight
If I used millennial terms, I would say running is the OG of all exercises. It requires almost zero investment and commitment. You can instantly start it the moment you decide to go for a run.
Whenever someone decides to run, they mostly mean that they want to lose weight faster. However, weight loss depends on the balance between calories in and calories out. Here we can see the benefits of running, as it helps burn calories faster and in great numbers.
According to studies, running burns calories two times faster than walking or any physical activity. However, don’t expect a miraculous result instantly. You need to check your eating habits and be consistent with your running habits.
Also, most people make the mistake of eating less as a way of losing weight. This is not only unhealthy but also fatal for your body. If you don’t consume the food you need in your system, your body will relapse, sometimes even causing a heart attack while running.
So, make sure you are eating right and running for a long time.
- Builds Stamina
Do you feel shortness of breath whenever you climb a staircase? It happens because of less stamina in your body. I bet you hate this feeling, But the good news is that running can increase your stamina dramatically.
Running happens to be the best among all cardio exercises, so evidently, it helps you increase endurance. Well, to increase your stamina, you have to be consistent and eat properly, maintaining a healthy diet.
Start by doing a short distance and then, with time, increase our speed and distance. Strategically increase your level of difficulty to pump up blood on your vessels and build stamina.
- Develops Calf Muscles
Do you want toned and strong calf muscles? Go for a run before even completing the sentence. This is the secret of athletes’ toned leg muscles. Running is a terrific workout. When you run regularly, it burns calories two times faster than walking and burns fat from all the parts of your body.
As it is a focused exercise for your lower body, naturally, running tones your thigh and calf muscles.
Also, there is a misconception about running that it actually affects the health of your knees. But let me tell you, it is just a myth. In fact, running improves the mobility of your knees and makes them healthier. You can combine yoga with running to get toned and flexible legs.
- Better Sleep
This one is connected with your body and mind. Physical exercise helps people sleep peacefully. When it comes to running, it works on each and every part of your body and burns a lot of calories.
Also, running helps in decreasing mental stress and anxiety so that your mind and nerves can relax. If you are running every day and already noticing an improvement in your sleep cycle, thank your running regime.
I would suggest you run in the morning for better results and avoid running or any kind of heart-pumping exercise before bedtime.
- Man Boobs/Breast Reduction
For men, man boobs are an alarming situation. It can happen for genetic and hormonal reasons and sometimes for excess weight gain. Running regularly may help you lose extra fat from your upper body, toning your chest muscles and making the man’s boobs disappear.
On the other hand, female breasts tend to shrink if you run regularly. If you have gone fat in recent years, regular running can tone your breasts. Running works on the tissues and fat cells and burns fat to reduce the extra weight you are carrying around.
- Boosts Confidence
Not all the benefits of running are purely physical. It is both a physical and psychological process. As it reduces fat cells from your body, you become fit. It affects you in a positive way psychologically, as you gain more confidence. Running boosts your metabolism and keeps the biological cycle of your body on track.
That’s why you feel liberated and confident when you run on a daily basis. It also secretes hormones so that you can feel happy.
- Decreases the Risk of Heart Attack
According to many scientific journals and doctors, in most cases of heart attack, there is a link of less physical activities involved. As running helps you maintain a healthy weight, it reduces the pressure on your heart so that it remains healthy.
Running reduces the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. It strengthens your heart muscles and minimizes the workload on your arteries. These positive sides of running reduce your chances of heart attack from 55% to 35%.
- Reduces Depression and Anxiety
I can understand how hard it is to get up and go for a run when you are suffering from depression. It is one of the most devastating psychological diseases that kill people from within. However, psychologists, scientists, and numerous doctors have claimed that running can actually be beneficial for depression.
According to many types of research, a few minutes of running every day can help you cure depression in the long run. While running, your brain secretes hormones, such as Endorphins, which can dramatically uplift your mood and help you get through the day.
However, the effect of this hormone is temporary. But if you continue to run every day, you may end up changing your hormonal balance in your body, which can cure depression. In the same way, it can help you cure anxiety and panic attacks.
You will feel more calm and happy than before.
- Prevents Breast Cancer and Other Diseases
Exercising, especially running, has long been associated with the prevention of breast cancer and many other fatal diseases. A study has recently been published in the International Journal of Cancer that claims that running for only 2 miles a day can reduce the risk of getting breast cancer by 40%. Isn’t this amazing?
There are other health benefits of running too. Running can single-handedly reduce the chances of getting type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, respiratory disease (e.g., Asthma, Sinus), disability, benign prostatic hypertrophy, obesity, and hypertension.
After reading all these amazing benefits, you may have already decided to run from tomorrow. Now, let me give you some additional motivational boost to make your decision concrete.
What Happens After You Start Running?
After an hour: You will feel your body pumping with blood, and you will feel happier than before. The instant mood upliftment will follow up with the runners’ high.
You will feel relaxed and can beat the Monday blues. Also, if you are suffering from expression, you will get the motivation to get done with your daily chores.
The enhanced secretion of endocannabinoids will make you feel happy and lightheaded.
Your insulin sensitivity will increase, and your blood sugar level will dramatically drop.
The first day of running combined with stretching or yoga will boost your metabolism.
After 24 hours: You will feel more confident at work. You will concentrate on your studies or work much better than before.
Only after a day will you see the result of better memorization and less anxiety. You will feel more energetic overall. For 24 hours, your body will burn more calories than it used to do before.
After a month: You will be able to sleep better than before. Your body will become more flexible.
The risk of type 2 diabetes and heart attack will already decrease by 20%. You will be able to socialize better and with more confidence.
The tendency of lethargy will decrease. Our overall work performance will increase with the improvement of memory, alertness, concentration, and mood.
Your body will drastically reduce weight and for all the good reasons. You will be able to cope better with your mental health problems.
If you are a smoker, your running habit will make you quit it, or at least you will reduce the consumption. Also, your alcohol intake will decrease.
After 6 months: You will become a whole different person in these 6 months. You will be in the best shape of your life.
Here comes the exciting news. According to studies, running regularly increases testosterone levels in men. It will also increase your sperm count. As your stamina increases, you will perform better in bed.
You will reduce your cholesterol level and make your heart function better.
Conclusion
I hope you have already made up your mind. So, what are you waiting for? Lace-up your shoes and hit the street. Cheers to the better version of you! For more information visit on masstoclass.