8 Tips for First-Time Joggers If Your New Year’s Resolution is to Be Fit

 

Photo by Carlos Pérez Adsuar Antón

There are only a few days left before you have to say goodbye to 2018 and welcome the new year with open arms. Like most people, you might be keeping a mental list of your New Year’s Resolution in your head. One of your resolutions probably is along the lines of starting a new workout regimen or signing up for a gym membership.

If those are part of your wishes for 2019, then you should try jogging. It’s cheap and easy. You don’t have to think about operating any equipment. You only have to get a good pair of trainers and comfortable workout clothing you can get from shops at Vertis North. Other than that, you must also remember these tips to ensure you have a successful workout.

1. Take time to warm up

You need to stretch your joints and muscles to prep your body for the activity. Jogging can be intense especially when you plan to do it for an extended period. Without warming up, your muscles can feel stiff which results in muscle cramps. Cramps can limit your movements and hinder you from walking and jogging properly. Thus, it’s important to do warm up if you wish to avoid injuries.

2. Have goals

Working out without setting some goals is like walking without a destination. Those who run for fun don’t have to state their objectives. But if you exercise to stay healthy and be fit, you must list your goals. It can be a daily or a weekly target depending on the frequency of your jogs. Having goals allows you to stay focused. It’s also a way to discipline yourself and stick to your regimen. Most of all, it motivates you to do better. Not having a guideline or method to track your workout leaves you clueless of your progress. With a list of goals, you can compare your performance from the time you started to the present moment.

3. Stick your goals in a place you can see them

It’s not enough to have a target in mind. Keeping a mental note of it doesn’t have the same impact as having a visual reminder of them. Once you made up your mind regarding your objectives, you should find a place to display them. You can print your list or write them on paper. Whatever you decide, the list must be on a surface you encounter daily. Your home office desk, fridge, notice board or your calendar are some places to stick the paper. Where you want to place it as long as it’s in an area that’s visible.

4. Choose high-quality running shoes

Remember, different trainers or running shoes are available in the market to meet specific needs. Some shoes have insoles designed for jogging. Others are only comfortable for walking but don’t offer the support you need when running. Before picking shoes in the store, you must first ensure you choose a suitable pair. You are going to use the shoes you buy for a long time. Therefore, ensure to get the right size with enough support. Ask help from the professionals in the store to help you find the right pair. Don’t forget to pay attention to the soles. Some shoes look cool on the outside, but they don’t have the grip you need. Research or ask the store’s assistants about the bottoms. Specify which terrain and conditions you are training. That way, you can have the right shoes to support your activities.

If you need to have customized shoes, you should consult your doctor about orthopedic shoes. He or she can help you find comfortable jogging shoes. It’s important to get the shoes that fit to avoid blisters or incurring a sprain.

5. Shake off tension in the body

Jogging is a stress reliever, but it can keep the tension in your body. To avoid building knots and tension in your muscles, you must loosen up. It relieves the pressure from your shoulders, neck, arms, and feet. Always take a moment to shake your body before and after a running session. Doing this improves your endurance. You can last for a long time and save your muscles from cramping. You can also do it in between jogs. Share your hands and feet to release the stress.

6. Maintain the right posture

Slouching while running is uncomfortable. It also doesn’t look good on you. When jogging, you must not slouch or hunch your back. Constantly doing so results in detrimental effects to the health of your spine and your overall posture. To save your back and avoid damaging your body’s alignment, you must always keep your chest out, and shoulders rolled back. The position keeps your spine healthy and prevents it from sustaining injuries. Most of all, it supports your posture.

7. Start slowly then take it from there

Running is not a chore. Don’t push yourself too hard to enjoy the exercise. If you pressure yourself to maintain the same pace the whole time you work out, you get tired and feel fed up immediately. Unrealistic expectations also don’t help your body. You might end up damaging your muscles. Worse, you affect any of your internal organs.

The key to long-term, effective jogging is to begin at a slow pace. You must walk slowly at first then gradually increase your pace. You can brisk walk after thirty seconds. Maintain your speed within a minute. Afterward, you can begin jogging at a slow pace. Practice this method to prevent burning out. Once you are comfortable, you can jog distances that helps you stay fit and healthy.

8. Practice soft landing

To avoid pain in the knees, you should land on the ground softly. Use the balls of your feet to distribute the shock from carrying the weight of your body. Learning to spread your weight and dispel the pressure from bouncing is an effective method for keeping up your energy throughout the jogging session.

Remember these eight tips. These help you enjoy jogging as part of your workout regimen. These tips help you maintain a healthy body while running. Besides these eight, don’t forget to regulate your breathing. Without a proper breathing technique, you might not be able to maintain your energy while jogging.