by Victor Roffel

Created on: September 03, 2009

Jogging has been a popular method used as a means to lose weight and fat. It has become a staple and a popular trend for those who treasure health.

Ever since Bill Bowerman, head coach of track in the University of Oregon and co-founder of Nike, introduced jogging to the United States, it has become immensely popular as a tool for health purposes. It was then that jogging has become such a universal affair.

Although we have been told by many about the rewards and benefits that jogging does for us, how can we be absolutely sure that it will give us the results we want? Many have adopted jogging as a way to improve health, lose fat and feel good. Regrettably, the effects of jogging may prove otherwise.

Health

Health reasons are why some people have taken up jogging. They think it improves heart health and other bodily systems. They do actually, improve heart health but there are other reasons why jogging is bad for overall health.

Injuries through running are actually very common and happen very often. These injuries are not limited to low back, ankle and knee injuries. Joints in the legs are stressed tremendously with every foot strike on the ground.

Foot protection is vital in preventing low back and knee injuries. Unfortunately, many do not have the proper footwear to jog or they do but in an unadvisable location.

The shock impact which your knees and low back suffer every time your feet strikes the ground is the same as the force you apply to the ground. This causes the meniscus, a cartilage in-between the knees, to wear out. The bones in the knee then rub against each other, causing pain.

The low back also suffers as they take most of the shock impact. This will not only cause pain but also create muscular imbalances in the hip region.

Fat loss

Fat loss is probably the most important reason why people jog. In an effort to shed the fat away from their bodies, people can jog as much as an hour for over 3 times a week. Even if we ignore the possible injuries and adverse health reasons, jogging will not make you lose fat. In fact, it may even make you gain some in the long run.

Jogging is catabolic. Catabolic means the breaking down of large molecules such as protein in to smaller units. Too much jogging will cause a negative effect from catabolism; you will lose muscle mass and become smaller. This is bad news (especially those who jog not to lose weight but fat) as less muscle means a smaller metabolism. And a smaller metabolism means less calories you can

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