Run!

CEBU, Philippines - Summertime is the perfect season to start correcting or improving one's lifestyle. With so much time at hand, there's just no more excuse for not boosting one's personal wellness. As early as March this year, the Department of Health has taken the lead in reminding the public to "have an enjoyable, healthy and fit summer," amidst this season's flurry of activities.

There is no place quite like the Philippines in summer for the fitness-conscious, where a life's worth of fun and healthy outdoor activities await - ranging from simple nature walking, pot gardening then to the more extreme ones like skating, swimming, mountain climbing or canyoneering. But apparently, for conventional Filipinos who love to keep it old-school and simple, the primary form of fitness includes jogging and running, probably next to walking.

For the longest time, jogging or running has been an appealing physical exercise since it doesn't cost a lot to perform. Besides that, it is also something one may do at any time when one feels like it or when the schedule permits. In Cebu, the boom of running activity became much obvious when most local runners in the city, Millennials (18 to 35 years old) and Gen Xers (35 to 55 years old) alike, start to organize their own running clubs and thereafter regularly participate in fun run events, athletics races, marathons or even triathlons conducted in different parts of the province.

And, just think of its helpful benefits - strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular health, burns plenty of calories, helps maintain normal weight, and builds strong bones being a weight- bearing exercise. Also, a study conducted by Stanford University shows that those who run regularly have a 40 percent lower risk of dying at an early age than those who do not. Plus, they are less likely to incur heart disease, cancer and other health problems.

For what it's worth, it may still matter to know that the difference between jogging and running lies in the intensity, says the website www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Running requires a higher level of overall fitness than jogging since it demands greater effort from the heart, lungs and muscles compared to jogging. Both are forms of aerobic exercise, a term which refers to any physical activity that "requires pumping of oxygenated blood by the heart to deliver oxygen to working muscles." 

But while a run-tastic cardio workout can be the best there is, it can also get unexcitingly repetitive having to do the same thing over and over again. Boredom invites laziness, making the workout time lesser. To avert this possibility, here are some tips from http://lifehacker.com that may help make one's jogging and running more exciting:

Try running without any gadgets. Surprisingly, going for a run without a music player, smartphone, or fitness tracker can be very liberating. Not only does using those gadgets tends to make one ignore the feedback the body is sending, it also diminishes one of the best benefits of running - mental peace. Besides, running on city streets like Cebu is a bit dangerous to have one's senses cut off.

Run with a prop. It might sound silly, but adding in a sporty prop can change one's daily jog. Head to a park or field, toss the frisbee and take off running to try catching it. One may also try using a basketball or soccer ball in a similar fashion. Dribble a basketball while running along the sidewalk or local court, and kick the soccer ball ahead in an open field.

Switch up routes or go trail running. A lot of runners get fatigued from running the same route every day. Explore a new route and go somewhere not yet tried before. Perhaps one might discover a path or cool places nearby that are normally missed when driving.

Compete with friends or family. A great way to get motivated is competition, so find a buddy one can go running side by side with. But if the only option is an online friend, that works too. Online fitness trackers and apps can be used to track stats and compare with others.

Set a solid goal, sign up for a race. Vague goals are harder to accomplish. So put additional motivation and set a running goal that has a clearly defined finish line and deadline to lace up and run. Mentally, this makes one feel like they are on to productive stepping stones to a much larger goal.

Don't overdo it, take a break. If the runs make the body and mind weary, take a break to avoid burning out. Too much of anything is bad. Rest, and then get back to it after a day or two.

The catch is - one does not need to be a marathoner to appreciate and benefit from running, a rather easy and effective way to get fit and feel good. It can be difficult at the start, but quitting should never be an option. (FREEMAN)