Fitness And Weight Loss

How to Begin a Jogging Program - Whether you run outside in the park or inside on a treadmill, before work or after work, alone or with a buddy, running can change your life, both physically and mentally. Even if you’ve never been that active before, it’s never too late to begin a jogging program. Running is one of the most popular cardio exercises in the world, and for good reason: as you rack up the miles, you can count the results. Instructions Find a good pair of running shoes. There is nothing more unmotivating than a pair of running shoes that do more harm than good. Sneakers should be purchased from a store that specializes in running. That way, employees can send you on your way with a pair of running shoes that mold perfectly to your feet and provide the correct cushion and support. Find a place to run. One of the best things about jogging is that it doesn’t require a gym membership. In essence, the world is your treadmill. However, the weather can hinder running outside, and ...

Jogging: How To Jog With Your iPod - Much has changed over the years and running with music is now easier than ever. No longer do you have to worry about a clunky tape deck clipped to your belt, the degree of skip protection on your CD player or converting music for your MiniDisc player. iPods have reinvigorated the jogging phenomenon and updated it for the 21st century. Instructions Choose the right iPod model for jogging. Avoid the larger “Classic” hard drive based iPods as the constant movement can cause the drive to fail. Stick with the flash-based iPods such as the Nano or Shuffle with no moving parts. The shuffle is tiny and clips to your shirt; the Nano is a bit larger and allows you to view and access a wider selection of music. Use a protective case and arm band. There is always the chance of the iPod falling onto the pavement when jogging. Using a protective covering to absorb any shock and minimize the damage is wise; using an armband to hold the iPod in place without the wo...

Instructions: How to Start Jogging - It takes a good amount of stamina and energy to be a jogger. In the beginning, it is best to start slowly. This will allow you to prepare yourself both mentally and physically to go the distance. By taking the time to really learn proper jogging strategies and techniques, you will reduce your chances of straining muscles. Instructions Develop a good warm up routine. It will help your blood circulate and get more oxygen flowing to your muscles. This will help keep you flexible and prepare your body for the demands of jogging. It will speed up your heart rate, which will minimize the amount of stress on your heart from the jog. Begin by walking slowly for five minutes. Gradually intensify until you are walking at a brisk pace. Stretch for about five minutes before beginning your jog. Gradually shift from walking to jogging. Do this by alternating between jogging and brisk walking. Continue alternating between the two for 20 minutes. Remember to walk i...

Starting a running routine requires planning and discipline. From the beginning, establish a goal. Choose something realistic that will keep you motivated, such as running a specified distance in a certain amount or time or losing a targeted amount of weight. To ensure longevity, begin your running routine slowly and build on your progress as you go forward. Do not skip ahead in your program, even if you feel you can. Doing so may place excess strain on your body, leading you to burn out well before reaching your stated goal. Instructions Purchase proper running shoes. In order to get the right shoe, you must figure out your foot’s pronation. Pronation is the way the foot rolls from heel to toe on each stride. To determine your level of pronation, grab one of your old sneakers and look at the sole. Your foot overpronates if most of the shoe wear is on the medial (inside) side. Runners who overpronate should buy motion-control running shoes. Your foot underpronates if most of the shoe w...

How to Run With a Doberman Pinscher - The Doberman Pinscher is a well-muscled, energetic dog that has prolific power and stamina. It is capable of running long distances, and because of this the breed is ideal as a jogging companion, according to the Dog Breed Info Center. The breed’s short coat also helps to prevent the dog from overheating as easily when running. If you want extra motivation to keep fit by having your dog run with you, there are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration to ensure that you are prepared. Instructions Take your Doberman to see your veterinarian for an overall checkup to ensure that the dog is in good health before you begin taking it jogging on a regular basis. Pack two bottles of water in a backpack for you and your Doberman when you are getting ready to go jogging. How much water you need depends on how far you intend to run. Begin by walking your Doberman to allow it to warm up and to practice leadership with your dog. Walk slightly i...

The exact dividing line between “jog” and “run” isn’t really clear; the term applies to just about any slow, steady run. One thing the experts do agree on, though, is that jogging is a great cardio workout and calorie burner. According to figures from Harvard Health Publications, jogging can burn anywhere from 360 to more than 500 calories per hour, depending on your body weight. Whether you’re just getting started jogging or have been doing it for years, perfecting your running form can help you avoid injury and get the most benefit from your workouts. Start With the Feet It may be tempting to take the longest strides possible, but that won’t necessarily help you move any faster; in fact, this type of overstriding can produce extra impact and slow you down. Instead, focus on taking short, quick strides and keeping your body over your feet. Pay attention to your knee alignment, too; don’t let them bow out or collapse in as you jog. No matter which part of your foot hits the ground firs...

How to Protect Knees While Running - Running has tremendous health benefits for the human body. It strengthens the heart and lungs, improves circulation, and keeps the leg muscles strong and toned. However, for all of its health benefits, running has one major drawback: it’s tough on the knees! Fortunately, you can greatly reduce the pounding effect that running places on your knees. Instructions Wear high quality shoes. As a runner, it is wise to think of your running shoes as an important investment. Running is a tough exercise, and it places a tremendous amount of strain on your body, most notably your knees. Wearing a high quality pair of running shoes in the correct size goes a long way towards making you a more comfortable and capable runner, as well as lessening the impact and shock placed on your knees with each step. A high quality shoe offers a firm, well-padded sole, sufficient in-sole flexibility, and enough side tension and support to prevent your ankle from rolling exces...

Runners engage in water jogging, a low-impact deep-water training technique, to cross-train, for off-season conditioning or to rehab an injury. And fitness centers offer water jogging as part of hydro circuit classes, for its conditioning and calorie burn. Without the jarring impact of land running, water running provides many of its benefits, such as maintaining your cardio fitness and challenging similar muscles. Typically performed with a flotation device, the technique and form simulate the way you run on land. Water Jogging Basic Technique with Variations Strap on a float belt and ease into the deep end of a pool. Keep your arms relaxed and elbows bent 90 degrees. Hold your hands in a loosely clenched fist with your palms facing inward. An alternate position is with your hands open, fingers together, thumbs up and your palms facing inward. Lean slightly forward of vertical, and start moving your arms and legs opposite each other similar to the way you run on land. Keep your back s...

Increasing your cadence may be just what you need. Tips Increase Speed of Run - Cadence is the number of times your foot strikes the ground in a given time period, usually measured per minute. Because forward movement only happens when your feet strike the ground, it behooves you to get them off the ground as quickly as possible. Your height, weight, leg and stride length and running ability will determine your optimal cadence. Everyday runners generally fall between 160-170 steps per minute, while elite runners strike the ground around 180 steps per minute or higher—with some getting above 200 at their fastest speeds. Determine Your Cadence On your next run, count the number of times each foot strikes the ground. To make it simpler, pick either your right or left foot, count the number of times it strikes the ground in a minute and multiply that by two. This is your training cadence. There is a difference between a training cadence and a speed workout/racing cadence. Generally, yo...