7 tricks to avoid side stitch pain while exercising

When you finally decided to start exercising, a small inconvenience arises a few minutes after you begin: the side stitch pain. It starts as a slight discomfort in the side of your abdomen, and since you are very motivated to exercise, you ignore it and continue. The pain persists, so you decide to lower the intensity a bit, but you keep going. After a few minutes of struggle, the pain overwhelms you and you stop exercising. Has this ever happened to you? Don’t let side stitch pain ruin your desire to move, and follow these tricks so that nothing interrupts your routine: Warm up first: spend a few minutes warming up before starting your exercise. Stretching your legs and gradually starting to jog will help prepare your body for more intense exercise. Learn to breathe: match your breathing to the rhythm of your exercise. For every breath, take two or three strides if you are going at a high speed; on the other hand, if you are going a bit slower, it should be three or four strides per breath. Check your diet: when you are about to run, have a light breakfast, preferably low in fiber and fats. But mainly, try to eat two to three hours before the run. Strengthen your abs: you may not be a big fan of exercises that focus on the abs, but if you have strong oblique muscles, you are less likely to suffer from annoying side stitch pain while running. Don’t run on a full stomach: and we are not just talking about food. Never think about starting a run if you feel your stomach full of water. Staying hydrated is important, but excess can cause side stitch pain. Purse your lips: it may seem strange, but doing this while running helps you focus better on your breathing. Obviously, it’s not just about tightening your lips; remember to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Train your lungs: lying on your back, place a heavy book on your abdomen. Inhale, filling your belly with air, and exhale while relaxing your abdominal muscles. With this small exercise, you will learn to breathe with your diaphragm rather than with your chest muscles. Ready for your next run? Get prepared with these amazing tips: Food to better take advantage of your exercise routine Energy-boosting ingredients to perform better during your exercise Complement your exercise with better nutrition Top 12 foods to eat after exercising