Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Lose Weight Safely » COLUMN: One of the best ways to keep fit without going to the gym – Independent Tribune

If youre 40 or older and want a fun way to keep active and healthy without having to face a gym, read on.

So, Im going to talk about something today that doesnt require a gym, and something that can be fun and easy to do jogging.

Now, I know you might be thinking, I hate the thought of running, but heres the thing: Jogging isnt to be confused with running. When you run, you move at a much faster pace than when you jog. Think about it this way jogging, if you like, is a fast-paced walk. Its kind of like taking walking to the next level. And while walking is a great way to keep active, and I recommend finding ways to fit more walking into your day, if you want to do something that gets your heart rate elevated a little bit more jogging could be perfect for you and might even become your next favorite way to maintain keeping active and mobile.

As Im sure you already know, staying active as you get older is critical to staying happy, healthy, active and independent. And, while walking is one of the most popular ways to remain active among people ages 50 and older as its a safe, low-impact activity, swapping your walk for a jog can have great health benefits, too, and it doesnt have to be high-impact. First, not only does jogging improve your overall fitness, it improves your bone density (important to keeping your body strong and reducing your risk of injury), improves your cholesterol levels, reduces inflammation and boosts your mood, making it the perfect exercise to kick-start your day. And the best part is that you dont have to be a marathon runner to reap the health benefits. Just five to 10 minutes per day of jogging, even at a slow and gentle pace, is all you need to start feeling the positive effects.

In addition to the above, jogging burns a lot of calories. Have I caught your attention now? Why does it help burn so many calories? Because jogging is a full-body exercise. It uses a lot of different muscles, requires a strong core and uses your lower and upper body for balance. Any activity that uses your core, upper and lower body to move, will burn more calories than an activity that doesnt require as much muscle recruitment.

Dont enjoy exercising alone? Jogging is one of those activities, just like walking, that can be made social and the perfect activity to do with friends. Instead of sitting in your living room, why not head outside for a jog instead? Jogging at a low intensity allows you to carry on a conversation while staying active, which very few activities do. So now you can kill two birds with one stone.

But what if youre not used to keeping active, and the idea of getting off the sofa and jogging a few miles right now feels daunting? Dont worry. You dont have to be a seasoned jogger to get started. In fact, slow and steady is better for your body, giving it time to adapt and reducing your risk of any injury: the last thing you want is a bad ankle or knee getting in the way. Begin slow and, over the months, and as you feel youre confidently able to take on more, increase your time and distance.

A lot of people I see worry because they think running, or even strenuous walking, will hurt their joints. However, if done right and taken slowly, even with some added breaks for water and a stretch, youll be just fine. Another benefit of jogging and why you dont need the gym is this jogging doesnt require any equipment. Its accessible to almost anyone, regardless of space or equipment. Theres only one thing you will need, and thats a good pair of running shoes.

Jogging is a smart way to stay active as you age, especially because you dont have to run fast or jog five times a week to reap the benefits. With just 45 minutes of jogging each week, you can lose weight, boost heart health, catch up with friends and know youre looking after yourself. Make jogging a regular part of your active lifestyle and youll be feeling stronger and healthier in no time.

P.S. Do you run already and feel knee pain every time your foot hits the ground? Or, does knee pain stop you from running, jogging or walking? If that sounds like you, visit this website to download your free knee guide with tips on how you can ease knee pain naturally: http://www.volkpt.com/knee-pain.

Dean Volk, PT, is the owner and senior therapist with Volk Physical Therapy& Sports Medicine in Concord.

Link:
COLUMN: One of the best ways to keep fit without going to the gym - Independent Tribune

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Lose Weight Safely » COLUMN: One of the best ways to keep fit without going to the gym – Independent Tribune