Don't let anyone fool you. There is no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to getting in to good health (notice that I did not say loosing weight). There are too many gimmicks and charlatans that are eager to take your money for the quick fix or the new exercise "cure all" where all you have to do is sit in your lazy boy and the toy will work its wonder. Until we call a spade a spade and accept the fact that we need to make a lifestyle change, meaningful results will not happen. You have to be firing on all cylinders to be successful at achieving and maintaining good health. Cardio training workouts are just as important as resistance training or nutrition. Cross Training needs to be part of your overall full workout plan
There are several major reasons that people stop working out or fail to successfully launch an improvement program:
- Complacency and Boredom
- Resistance to Change
- It is viewed as WORK
- You hit the Wall
- You give up to fate
Many of these reason are very logical and understandable. If you are not having fun in what you are doing or find it interesting, why bother. In our busy world, time commitment is becoming ever important. Things have to having meaning to really make a difference in our lives. Anything that falls out side of the parameters of fun, time efficient and interesting simple fall of our radar screen.
Cross-Training with Integrated Cardio
Cross training is one of the answers to help you address the issues above. This coupled with the decision to select those things you find interesting, will certainly make a difference in how you approach your fitness routine. If running is just not your thing, trying to force yourself to have that be the center piece of your workout routine has a low probability of success. Instead, you should try biking, aerobics or some other exercise that will give the cardio workout that you body needs. Even better, having several activities that keep pushing your conditioning is a better option. Taking of up a sport such as soccer or hobby such as paintball will have a tremendous impact of your attitude and approach to staying in shape. This is a lot to be said for mixing it up a little.
Great ways to get your Cardio in gear:
- Mountain Biking (and you don't even need a mountain!)
- Jogging or Running
- Power Walking
- Aerobics or Pilates
- Cross Country Skiing
The key is to keep it fresh and exciting. Focus in the things that you like or exploring things that you have always wanted to do...skiing, rock climbing, or whatever comes to mind. However, even if you despise something it may make sense to do it every now and then to through your body a new twist and keep challenging your muscles and you mind with something new. The trick is to recognize when you start feeling that way about something and to switch into some other type of program (or multiple ones) to keep the interest level up.
Our bodies are very adaptive and respond exceptionally well to new types of physically challenges. These new stressors allow our muscles to continue to adapt, grow and recover. Muscle confusion is a very good thing. Just like our minds, our muscle groups can get stuck in a rut by doing the same old thing. Keeping a fresh perspective to fitness is a very healthy alternative to sticking to just one thing.
Find several things that work for you and and design you own program...you don't need some guru to tell you what to do. Make up your own fitness system and keep it fun. If you are having trouble, go back to your youth. We all had things that we loved to do as a child. Remember those things and find a way to incorporate them into your workouts. This will help to bring back the fun and take the work out of your workouts.
