New You Magazine’s exclusive beauty column for LA’s the Place is your invite to the behind the scenes of the cosmetic surgery realm.  This month, New You’s Executive Editor Eliza Drewa, makes a refreshing pitch for running as a way to feel good, maintain weight and have a sense of accomplishment every day.

Remember the last time  you pushed yourself to meet a goal—that incredible feeling of accomplishment?

A sense of power.

A boost in confidence.

The sweet sense of relief.

I experience this every time I go for a run. Nice, huh? But it gets even better…

I’ve found a place where I feel that power both physically and mentally. I believe in it. I draw on it (both in and out of my running shoes). I use that physical and mental power to push through the grind, knowing it won’t kill me, but make me stronger, happier, and, dare I say, more beautiful (inside and out!).

Who am I?

I’m a working mom — (I just happen to be the Executive Editor of New You). I live in Cleveland and have an office that I commute to in Miami Beach. And, as you now know, I’m a runner. Have been for the past 15 years, during which I’ve heard just about every incredulous comment you can imagine:

“You’re a runner?!” (What, running’s only for fitness nuts?)

“Running is sooo boring.” (Hmm. Not with a great iPod playlist.)

“Oh, I don’t have the time to run.” (All you need is 30 minutes. There’s 24 hours in a day, as I like to remind my naysayer friends.)

As well as other, more personal comments:

“So that’s why you look so good.” (Yes, Ma’am!)

“You’re ordering the cheese fries?!” (Ditto!)

“You’ve had two babies? You’re lucky!” (Uh, no. Luck has nothing to do with it. That’s what I call good old-fashioned hard work and dedication.)

My own comments?

“It’s a good habit that lets me manage my stress levels.” (Gotta have that with a life like mine!)

“I can enjoy my food, eat anything I want AND still look (relatively) good in a bathing suit.” (Ladies, that’s what we call the best of both worlds!)

“Yes, I would like the dessert menu!” (And I may even lick the plate.)

And, as it turns out, Chris McDougall, the author of Born to Run, thinks all of us should take up running: “Anyone can do running. Running should be easy. It should be fun. It should include everyone.”

Well, I don’t know about that. I can’t actually agree that it’s “fun,” but the benefits ARE fabulous, so I do agree with all of his other points. McDougall is what I’d call a running “radical.” He believes in barefoot running (!). He believes in our feet’s ability to go the distance.

Furthermore, he says, “[Running] shouldn’t be a punishment for eating cheesecake, which is what we’ve turned it into.”

Okay. I see his point (but that IS great motivation!).

McDougall isn’t just any runner. He doesn’t just circle around the local park now and then. What he does is more than just the New York City marathon. He’s an extreme runner: He runs ultra marathons that consist of 100 miles across mountains. He’s worked alongside a tribe in Mexico that runs these kind of distances along rough terrain with only thin sandals on their feet.

Me? I never run more than a 10k, and I love my running shoes.

Beauty by Barefeet?

The idea of barefoot running is intriguing (maybe “crazy” is a better word). I can’t say that I’ve seen anyone in my neighborhoods running barefoot, but the idea is beginning to show signs of growing interest. In fact, several companies have jumped on the idea and have created a “five fingers” shoe, which is like a glove for your feet, with individual spaces for each toe. (Personally, I’ve only seen them on pedestrians, not runners.)

However, just because these “five fingers” shoes stimulate the sensation of being barefoot doesn’t mean they come cheap. The prices ranges from $75.00 to $125.00 for a pair.

The benefits of running shoeless include the development of foot strength, balance, agility and range of motion, say the experts. Of course, there are also the counter voices who remind us that the right shoe is necessary to correct alignment and other issues that could cause injury.

But how many of us are prone to injury from running? Currently, there isn’t enough research to support whether running barefoot is helpful or harmful.

Run, Girl, Run

McDougall’s love for running is infectious—enough to convert anyone. He says, “Go for a run. Or let’s play some Ultimate Frisbee. Almost every sport involves running. You will not find a four year old on this planet who does not like to run. Why? Because they haven’t been told it’s a workout.”

But is running really good for you?

According to Dr. Peter Schnohr, chief cardiologist of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, the strenuous activity of jogging offers greater heart benefits than walking does. “It increases oxygen uptake to improve cardiac function, lowers blood pressure and increases insulin sensitivity.”

In fact, his team calculated that joggers live five to seven years longer than non-joggers (not to mention that it helps with weight loss).

A Post-Modern Approach

Whether you choose to wear shoes, foot gloves or none of the above in the end, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s all about what’s right (and appropriate) for you. Experts say if you have knee or joint pain, running should be avoided. Also, if you have a heart condition, you should look to more moderate forms of exercise. And, Ladies—We’re cautioned to keep in mind that a UK study found that running caused irreversible breast sag. (Is there anything that doesn’t?!)

The bottom line? If physically capable, perhaps we should all give running (barefoot or otherwise) a chance. After all, if empowering your feet awakens your inner child and allows your to revel in the beauty benefits, 30 minutes out of your day is an awfully attractive investment.

So what do you say? Come on—Let’s go for a run!

About New You

New You Magazine is the official consumer publication of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), New You is the first line of communication between cosmetic surgery experts and readers. We are a magazine on a mission to help real people meet their personal beauty goals. As such, we provide our readers with honest information about the latest anti-aging technologies, trends, procedures and products in addition to safety, cost, real patient personal experiences and guidance on how to find the right treatment and the right surgeon.

The AACS is a professional medical society of more than 2,500 cosmetic surgeons
dedicated to consumer education and safety. All of the doctors referenced in New You articles are members.

For more information about New You, please visit www.newyoumag.com.