Learn How to Jog with These Simple Jogging Tips

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6. Investing in a good pair of jogging shoes now can save you considerable trouble later, as good shoes have the support and cushioning that's needed to jog on today's artificial surfaces. Most people will have no trouble jogging on asphalt or cement as long as they are jogging in a good training shoe and keep the soles of their shoe in like-new condition (sometimes with the help of a hot glue gun, to patch thinning spots).

Tennis and gym shoes are discouraged because they simply aren't designed to absorb the regular shock of jogging and don't have the necessary cushioning and support. Good shoes cost anywhere from 17 to 40 dollars. One shoe will not fit all people. When you try on a new shoe make sure you have plenty of room in the toes, that there is no heel slippage, and no friction on a particular spot. A good jogging shoe should fit well when you buy it and should need no breaking in. The following shoes are very popular: the Brooks Villanova II, Nike Waffle Trainer, and the New Balance 320. [Check out Runner's World magazine for tips for choosing the right shoes, plus reviews of shoes . — Mother.] 

7. Begin developing a "hard-easy" schedule. Plan your training a week in advance so your hard, easy, and rest days are well spaced. Take your rest and easy days. It's during these periods that your body is allowed to adapt to new stress.

8. The importance of being a "balanced" jogger cannot be overemphasized. The jogger who only jogs, without plenty of additional stretching, is asking for trouble. Regular stretching exercises should become a normal part of your overall training.

9. Are you too old? No one is too old to make significant strides in their physical fitness. However, for the older man or woman, or for a person recovering from an illness or injury, walking may be more advisable than jogging since it is less stressful. Walking is excellent exercise, provided the same gentle approach is used that is so heavily stressed for jogging. An excellent goal to work towards is an average of 45 minutes of brisk walking at least five times a week, though this may take some time to achieve.

10. A rule of thumb: If you've been out of shape for 10 years it's going to take you at least 10 months to get back into shape and achieve a minimum base-level of fitness. One of the biggest mistakes a jogger can make is to think there are secrets and shortcuts to fitness. There are none! Forget the "quick fix". Throw away your rubber suits and gimmicks.

Weight lost through sweat loss is irrelevant and deceptive since it's all liquid and is quickly replaced. What you have to burn off is fat, and that takes time. There are about 3,500 calories in a pound of fat. You burn about 100 calories in a mile of jogging or walking.

11. Before you learn to jog, learn to walk.

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