Over the last few months, I have tried to convey information about every piece of equipment that you would need to enjoy or enhance your running experience. However, the most important item in this whole fitness equation is your body. If your body is not ready or prepared to handle the rigors of running, you will experience a lot of discomfort or pain. There are several ways to get into running, the simplest way I can think of, is the walk-run method. That is to walk for three to five minutes and then try a slow jog for a minute or two and then go back to walking. You can slowly increase your running time and reduce your walking time and you will eventually be running the whole time. Don’t increase your speed or distance more than about ten percent a week. You will find in a short period of time you will be running as long as you want. Jeff Galloway has devised a very successful run-walk program that many people use to run marathons.

The major point of exercise is that one must enjoy it or learn to enjoy it. When we were kids we would go out and play and this playing was the exercise our body needed to grow and develop in a healthy way. When we became adults we somehow forgot about needing exercise. Think of yourself as a bear that hibernates in the winter. When he stops moving, his body starts to retain weight to keep him alive through the winter. The same thing happens to us if we stop exercising; our bodies think we are going into hibernation and we quickly gain weight. The human body was made and meant to move or it doesn’t function properly. The old saying of “move it or lose it” is true. You can say whatever you want to about not having the time or motivation to exercise but the only thing you have control over in your life is how you spend your time. Some of that time needs to be spent helping your body and mind function better by exercising.

One of the best ways to get the most out the limited time most people have to exercise is the use of a heart rate monitor. Heart rate monitors are made by such companies as Polar, Timex and Nike and retail for about $50 to $150. You will want to find your target heart rate which can be found by subtracting your age from 220. Once you obtain your target heart rate, take 65% of it for your low reading and 85% of it for your high reading and that will give you a zone to work in. Try to keep your workouts in those zones and you will find your time is being used very efficiently to obtain the most benefit.

Good luck in whatever program you choose but just find something you enjoy and stay with it for the rest of your life.

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