If I were to choose a sport that I could stick to for a long time, there would be only one answer: running.
Over the years, I have tried various forms of exercise, but the only one that has stuck with me is running.
It is simple, unrestricted, and the changes it brings to the body occur gradually yet steadily.
Why is running one of the easiest sports to stick to?
Compared with gym workouts or class-based sports, running has almost no barriers.
- • No need for complex equipment
- • No need for a fixed venue
- • No need for a partner
- • Time is flexible, and you can start at any time
It is precisely for these reasons that running has become a daily exercise choice for more and more women.
Now, I basically run 5 kilometers every day.
It is no longer just an "exercise", but a part of my life.
From Dancing to Running: The Change I Actually Stuck With
If I were to name my favorite sport, it would actually be dancing.
In the 80s and 90s, when dance halls were all the rage, as soon as the music started, people would naturally start moving, and that sense of relaxation is still unforgettable to this day.
Later, I learned ballroom dancing and also tried various dance classes in the gym: Latin dance, folk dance, Indian dance...
But the reality is that distance, time, and fixed class schedules would gradually wear down my enthusiasm.
Running is different.
It doesn't require planning, doesn't need to coordinate with others, and all you need to do is step out the door.
From brisk walking to jogging, my body gave me the answer.
At first, I started with brisk walking.
Once I saw a brisk walking competition where two female athletes crossed the finish line side by side, with a slender figure and clear lines, which made me realize:
Regular exercise has a very direct impact on a woman's body shape.
Later, a fitness coach reminded me:
Brisk walking is beneficial for the heart and lungs, but if you want to truly improve your body shape, you still need to start running.
So I began to jog.
From 1 kilometer, to 2 kilometers, and then to 5 kilometers.
After several years, running became the sport that I persisted in the longest.
After running, I haven't caught a cold again.
This is a change that I myself find quite obvious.
Before consistently running, I would catch a cold almost once or twice every year. But after forming a stable running habit, in these years, I haven't caught a cold at all.
Running promotes blood circulation, enhances the heart and lung function, and also strengthens the stability of the immune system.
With a better physical condition, my resistance to seasonal changes and fatigue has also significantly improved.
For me, this is one of the very practical benefits brought by running.
The long-term effects of running on women's skin and figure
Running is not a quick way to "become beautiful", but it does change the overall condition.
After long-term running, the changes I have experienced include:
- Stable complexion, brighter skin tone, and fewer annoying pimples and blackheads
- Improved metabolism, cleaner skin, and a more rosy complexion
- Gradual loss of fat, tighter body lines
- Clearer facial contours, and a more energetic overall appearance
This change is not sudden and appears overnight. It accumulates gradually and only becomes noticeable when looking back.
The change in posture is a hidden benefit brought by running.
Elegant demeanor is primarily established on a straight and upright posture.
The hunched back, excess fat accumulation, and forward-leaning neck caused by prolonged sitting are double killers of both temperament and health.
During the running process, the back muscles continuously participate in generating force, including the lower part of the trapezius muscle, the erector spinae muscle and other core supporting muscle groups.
When the back strength increases, the body naturally becomes more upright.
A change in posture will also lead to a change in the overall demeanor.
My Equipment for Running
Music is the best companion.
Put on the sports headphones, and the energetic music starts playing. You will immediately forget the drowsiness from waking up early and start running along the rhythm.
Therefore, sports headphones are an indispensable companion for my running.
They help reduce boredom and allow me to run the target distance with lighter steps.
My Keep App is more like an intelligent coach.
During the running process, it will provide real-time prompts of my heart rate, pace, and exercise status, helping me judge whether the current intensity is appropriate.
Especially when traveling or on unfamiliar routes, I only need to set the target distance in advance, such as 5 kilometers, and can set off with confidence.
When halfway through the run, the headphones will play a voice prompt: "You have run 2.5 kilometers."
At that moment, it's like having a reliable navigator reminding me of the time and direction, allowing me to focus on planning the return journey and completely give my attention to the rhythm of my body and the scenery along the way.
Running is not limited by age,you are never too late to start
I have witnessed a 90-year-old grandma who has been running for 50 years.
She said:
"Once you start running, you won't feel too old."
[A 90-year-old grandma has been running for 50 years! She said, "As long as you start running, you will never feel too old."], click here to read
This statement is simple but very true.
Running gives us a continuous sense of control and vitality. It regulates your schedule, stabilizes your emotions (endorphins are natural mood lifters), strengthens your bones and lungs.
It keeps you away from "chronic inflammation" (the hidden driver of obesity, fatigue, and premature aging), and builds a healthy defense from the inside out.
[Keep jogging and stay away from chronic inflammation - aging, obesity, fatigue] ， click here to read
The return on this investment is long-lasting vitality, a clear mind, and a calm attitude in the face of time.
Advice for women who are just starting to run
If you are just beginning to run, you can do the following:
- Start with 15-20 minutes
- Don't aim for speed,focus on establishing a habit
- Gradually increase the time and distance
- You can combine it with yoga or Pilates to help stretch and recover
Running is not against the body; it's about building a long-term relationship with it.
Conclusion
Running, this most simple "medical beauty treatment" prescription, this most loyal "invisible fitness coach", is always waiting to initiate this beautiful transformation for you.
Fasten your shoelaces, put on your headphones, press the Start button - your charm will be reborn in the next 5 kilometers.
-Extended Reading and Resources
Make running not boring, as easy as dancing. A good sports headset is an essential choice.
As a deep user of the Apple ecosystem, (Read my article to understand )，【My "Apple" Journey of 15 Years: A Story of Trust and Happiness】click here to read
I naturally choose Apple AirPods. Apple has several types of headphones with their own focuses. You can choose based on your core needs...click here on amazon
More other great items and good books recommended :
My everyday toolkit click here to view
My reading list click here to view