5 Reasons Why Women over 40 should Run

I feel like I was born to run.

Running makes everything good. Stress goes, pain disappears and fatigue vanishes.

I tell people, if you feel tired, Run. If you feel depressed, Run. If you feel out of sorts, Run. Run on the asphalt, run on grass, run on the beach, run in the gym.. no matter – just run! The older you get, the more you should consider running as part of your workout regime. (read this post from runner’s world : Running Your Best In Your 40s )

Here are 5 reasons why women over 40 should run :

1. Running increases muscle strength and prevents bone injuries

Maximizing bone mass early in life is the most crucial way to reduce the impact of bone loss related to aging. We should strive for the development of lifestyle habits conducive to maintaining good bone health throughout life. Running also increases muscle strength, coordination, and balance and decreases the likelihood of falls once you get older.

2. Running lowers your risk of heart disease

Getting some regular, daily exercise can reduce your risk of fatal heart disease. And when you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater. Physical activity helps you control your weight and can reduce your chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on your heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. It also reduces stress, which may be a factor in heart disease.

3. Running decreases your risk of diabetes

Did you know that just by running you can decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women? By running for just 30 minutes a day you will decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by a whopping 46%. Now that’s great motivation to go for a run, innit?

4. Running keeps you slim and hot

Well once you are over 40, your metabolism slows down and then you start to gain weight. The good news is that if you do distance running, (i.e. for more than 1.5 hours at a go) you can virtually eat anything you want (well not everything, but you get what I am saying) and still fit into the clothes you did, when you were in your 30’s! That my friends is a very good impetus to run.

5. Running gives you tons of energy and gives you a natural high

The strange thing is that by exercising to fatigue, you actually get more energy. Don’t ask me how it works but that is the case – time and time again, I wake up at 530am, I run till my lungs are bursting and I can run no more. And then I go back, shower, and do 50% more than what I did without running. I love that post-run feeling of total physical exhaustion, swiftly morphing into happiness and new energy – if you are struggling with depression, run.. run like your life depended on it, and you will live a happy, fuller life!