Recently, I got back to running. It was a passion of mine that I had neglected for several months until, all of a sudden, I got the urge to run again.
I don’t need to lose weight or burn fat. I’m doing quite well with my strength workouts and other forms of cardio, so my weight isn’t the reason why I plan on continuing to run now that I got back to it.
You see, running is about much more than just burning calories and becoming fitter. These are certainly important reasons, but they are far from the only thing that running can provide for you. Here are 7 reasons why I run:
1. It gets me out of the house
As someone who works from home, I need to find any excuse to get outdoors, get some fresh air, and move about. As I have my own fitness equipment at home, running is basically the only exercise I want to do, but can’t do indoors. If you do run, I recommend doing it outdoors. It’s a totally different experience than running on a treadmill.
2. Helps me think
Running has always been a way for me to let my mind wonder about freely. I find that I come up with great ideas when I run. It’s perfect if you need to let the creative side of you take over.
3. Makes lunch taste better
The same goes for dinner or breakfast, or whatever I eat after a run. I find that I enjoy food more after a good run. Maybe it’s a mental thing where I feel like I earned my lunch, or something like that.
4. Gives me energy
I once read an article about productivity which recommended an early morning run because it energizes you for the rest of the day. It works. I’ve tried it and it never fails. Now, you can’t run for 10 miles and expect to not feel tired, but a 30 minute morning run can give you lots of energy for the rest of the day. By the way, this is true even if you run later in the day, you will still feel energized.
5. Gets the kinks out of the system
I sit at the computer for many hours each day, working. Running helps me to get the stiffness out of my joints, gets me loose and stretches my limbs. This is actually very healthy, since prolonged sitting has been connected with various health issues.
6. Running clears my mind of trouble
If you’re having any problems that weigh on you, make it harder to think, or just don’t give you a moment of peace, running is highly recommended. It may not solve your problems, but it will certainly give you some rest from them. I find that my mind is clear of worry and problems when I run. Often, this is the sort of mental rest that you need to see things clearly and come up with solutions to your issues.
7. Helps me to stay in shape
When I needed to lose weight 12 years ago, running was a main part of my routine. These days it helps me to stay in shape. It’s not the only workout I do, but it is certainly an excellent addition to my routine. Running is one of the best cardio workouts that you can do to remain fit and lean.
So, now you know why I run. Do you feel like running? If you have run before and stopped for some reason, now is the time to get back into it. Check out my tips on how to start running again and my running weight loss tips for some helpful advice to improve your workouts. I’ll see you all on the track.
