Thighs of Steel
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Beyonce and Rihanna have got killer thighs that many of us might think are only attainable via divine intervention. However, running is a great way to quickly tone legs and butt. The cardio nature of running will torch calories to help you lose excess weight and fat; the engagement of the muscles will result in a toned look.
Mind Over Matter
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A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. Regular running boosts your mood by releasing endorphins. The activity also sparks the growth of new nerve cells, which increases the volume of your brain's hippocampus, the part of the brain linked to learning and memory.
Goodnight, Sleep Tight!
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Those who don't sleep well are likely to associate their exhaustion with exercise. Changing this attitude can help you get a better night's sleep since regular exercise can help normalize the over-active thinking patterns that keep insomniacs up at night.
It's in Your Bones
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Research shows that running fast or jumping high generates forces great enough to help build bone. Young people and healthy adults should 'pound the ground' to help bones add mass. If you suffer from arthritic problems, however, check with your doctor first.
Fight Back From Mother Nature's Monthly Gift
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When that time of the month looms, we all dread mood swings and mind-numbing cramps. However, these unwelcomed menstrual symptoms can be alleviated in ways other than a hot-water bottle. Easy runs release mood-boosting endorphins to tackle mood swings and alleviate aches and pains that accompany your period.
Here Come the Girls
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A second running boom has hit, and this time it's a women-only party! Women runners can choose from a number of races in the U.S. exclusively for them, including the Nike Women's Marathon/Half-Marathon, which gives a Tiffany necklace to every participant. Women now make up more than half the runners in half-marathons in the U.S. and more than 30 percent of people who have been running for less than a year in the U.K. are women. If you're a woman, now is the perfect time to start running!
Money Saving
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Running allows you to reap the benefits of exercising without the cost of a gym membership, which means you save more money for other things—like that pair of Louboutins!
Hangover From Hell
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We've all been there—that one extra cocktail that makes your head spin the next day. Running increases blood flow and endorphin levels, which help beats the hangover blues.
Love is in the Air
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Research has shown that regular exercise increases a woman's response to sexual stimulation and that regular exercisers have an easier time reaching orgasm. Running can also increase your body confidence, making you feel sexier—63 percent of ladies who exercise 6 to 7 times per week rate their sexual attractiveness as above average.
Chocolate
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Most women love chocolate. When we diet, chocolate is often given the boot in favor of foods less satisfying. However, eating chocolate while training for your next 10K may have more value than you think. Research has shown that chocolate, especially of the dark variety, reduces oxidative stress from aerobic exercise and the carbs and protein contained in chocolate speed recovery following your workouts.
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