Since it’s going to be a ‘springtime’ soon, something we hear a lot of people who visit our clinic talk about is wanting to be healthier. But one thing that is holding them back is that they’re either:
Not sure where to start or what activity to do
Or
They think that they have to join a gym to keep fit- which they can’t stand the thought of doing!
So I’m going to talk about something today that doesn’t require a gym, and something that’s a fun and easy activity to do…
And that’s jogging.
Now you might be thinking, “I hate the thought of running”…But here’s the thing. Jogging isn’t to be confused with running.
When you run, you move at a much faster pace than you do when you jog. Think about it this way- jogging is somewhere between walking and running. It’s 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 that much more, jogging could be perfect for you and might even become your next favorite way to maintain keeping active and mobile.
As I’m sure you already know, staying active as you get older is critical to staying happy, healthy, and independent.
And while walking is one of the most popular ways to remain active among people aged 50+ as it’s a safe, low-impact activity- swapping your walk for a jog can have great health benefits too, and it doesn’t have to be high impact.
Firstly, not only does jogging improve your overall fitness it improves your bone density (important in 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 don’t have to be a marathon runner to reap the health benefits!
Just five to ten minutes per day of jogging, even at a slow and gentle pace is all you need to start feeling the positive effects.
As well as that, jogging burns a lot of calories. Have we 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 doesn’t require as much muscle recruitment.
Don’t 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 with a cup of tea for a catch-up, head outside for a jog. Jogging at a low intensity allows you to carry on a conversation while staying active. Now you can kill two birds with one stone!
But what if you’re not used to keeping active, and the idea of getting off of the couch and jogging a few miles right now feels daunting? Don’t worry. You don’t have to be a seasoned jogger to get started.
In fact, slow and steady is better for your body, giving it the time to adapt, reducing your risk of injury. The last thing that you want is a bad ankle or knee getting in the way. Begin slow and as you feel confident to take on more, increase your time and distance.
A lot of people we see worry because they think that running, or even strenuous walking, will hurt their joints. However if done right and taken slow, even with some added breaks for water and a stretch, you’ll be just fine.
Another benefit of jogging and why you don’t need a gym is that jogging doesn’t require any equipment.
It’s accessible to almost anyone regardless of space or equipment. There’s only one thing that you’ll need, and that’s a good pair of running shoes. The best way to find the right pair for you is to get a jogging analysis. We recommend the local stores by us called Pacers Running or Potomac River Running Store.
Jogging is a smart way to stay active as you age, especially because you don’t have to run fast or jog five times a week to reap the benefits. With just 50 minutes of jogging each week, you can lose weight, boost heart health, catch-up with friends and know that you’re looking after yourself. Make jogging a regular part of your active lifestyle and you’ll be feeling stronger and healthier in no time.
If you have questions about how to make better decisions about your health, call or text our PTs at 202.670.8874
Trupti graduated with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from UNC- Chapel Hill in 2001. She has furthered her studies with numerous post-graduate courses focusing on the Neck, shoulder, knee, and back, with a strong emphasis in manual therapy. Recently completed courses in Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (Levels 1- 5), has afforded her an excellent way to relieve pain and help people get moving, active and healthy quickly and effectively.
With 20+ years of experience in Physical Therapy, Trupti has practiced in various orthopedic and sports focused clinical settings, in both the Raleigh-Durham, NC and DC regions. She has been Director of multiple Physical therapy Clinics in DC and also worked with some renowned specialists at Georgetown University Hospital in DC. During her years of service, Trupti has had the privilege of caring for a wide variety of clients: from school-aged children to retirees; from homemakers to business professionals; from weekend warriors to professional athletes.
Trupti is an avid fan of the outdoors, art, traveling and of course the Tar Heels. She enjoys spending time with her niece and nephew.
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