Researchers Focused On The Study To Help The Inactivity Pandemic

One of the reasons the researchers decided to focus on this study is because they wanted to influence people to start a weekly activity schedule. One of the researchers on the study stated, “There’s a growing body of scientific evidence highlighting the benefits of regular exercise, yet we have a physical inactivity pandemic in the United States.” 

People are more likely to sit on their bed or couch and look at their phones, play video games, watch movies, or skim the Internet on their laptops. The problem is that this leads people to pick up bad habits and an unhealthy lifestyle. Slowly, their health deteriorates, and they start to suffer from health diseases. 

Harvard Medical School Wants To Help You By Providing Tips

One of the highest respected medical schools in the country, Harvard Medical School, wants to do what they can to help you become healthier. Therefore, they released several tips that they ask you to focus on as you start your training. First, they want you to start slowly and increase your activity level gradually. 

Second, they want you to dress appropriately when it comes to exercising outdoors. For instance, when you decide to go for a walk in weather that is close to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to dress for it. While you don’t need a large coat if you are running, you should for a walk. You also need a winter hat and gloves. 

Listen To Your Body When You Start To Exercise

Harvard Medical School also knows that you might find something isn’t right with your body once you start exercising. Therefore, they want you to pay class attention to how you feel when you begin your exercise program. This doesn’t just mean that while you are exercising. You need to pay attention the next morning, during the night, and throughout your day. 

If you start to feel your joints hurting, stop exercising as much for a while because your joints might feel overused. You should also contact your doctor to ensure that there is nothing else wrong. If you aren’t feeling well one day, take the day off. Don’t force yourself when you are sick or too tired, as this will cause you to feel worse. 

Don’t Get Too Comfortable

Another factor that the researchers warn you about with the conclusion of the study is that you don’t want to become too comfortable. What they mean is, you need to continue to push yourself, but you can’t push yourself too hard. 

For instance, if you are running ¼ of a mile for two months, try to go a ½ of a mile. You can also try to run twice instead of just once during the day. If you become too comfortable and don’t continue to push yourself, your body will start to decline health-wise at a quicker pace. 

Don’t Push Harder As You Get Closer To The Finish Line

One of the best pieces of advice that people who took part in the study share is that when you are running in the marathon, you don’t want to sprint in the last few seconds. Like you handle your training, you want to go slow and steady. There are times you might run a bit faster for a few seconds, but you should never do this too long because you can find yourself tired quickly. 

When you start the race by sprinting, you will become tired quicker. When you end the race by running, you risk health problems because you are dehydrated by this point. It is best to keep a steady pace. 

Pay Attention To Your Heart Rate Throughout The Process

If you have ever seen people run for a long time, you might catch them, placing two fingers on their neck or wrist. When they do this, they are checking on their heart rate to make sure it is beating as it should. 

\While it will beat faster than usual, you do not want to find yourself with an irregular heart rate for an extended period as this is a sign that you are dehydrated, and your body can have an adverse reaction. You don’t want to become obsessed and take your heart rate every minute, but you do want to check it, especially if you don’t feel well.

No Matter What Happens, Be Proud Of Yourself

Training and running in a marathon is not easy. Sticking to an exercise schedule, unless it is something you really love, is not easy. Whether you find yourself struggling with this new part of your life or not, you always need to take a step back and be proud of yourself. 

When you complete your first day, congratulate yourself. When you complete your first week, give yourself a little reward. When you complete a part of your goal, reward yourself. Find healthy rewards and always look at how well you did at the end of the day. Even on your bad days, be proud of doing your best. 

Where did we find this? Here are Our Sources:

“Blood Pressure Readings Explained.” Judith Marcin, Healthline. January 2018. 

“Want to Turn Back the Aging Clock? Train for a Marathon.” David Thompson, U.S. News. January 2020. 

“Ready For Your First Marathon? Training Can Cut Years Off Your Cardiovascular Age.” Allison Aubrey, NPR. January 2020

“Hey New Runners, Marathon Training May “Reverse” Aging (So Lace Up).” Ray Bass, Mind Body Green. January 2020.