The Fame of Health and Fitness

I USED TO HATE CARDIO

Even from the age of 8 years old, I didn’t like running. Even though I was the fastest girl in my grade and I was always picked to be anchor for relay races for Track and Field. Regardless of my dislike for running I still found myself signing up 100 metre dash, long jump, and high jump in grade school. I think I always was an athlete down deep inside but never quite knew it.

Even in high school I was resistant to running or any form of cardio. I played soccer and volleyball but looking back on my efforts, I don’t think I really gave it my all. To be honest, I think I was just putting in the bare minimum and going through the motions. If I ever exercised (weights or cardio) it was for one reason and one reason only, to lose weight. I would go on some new fade diet, workout, lose weight, and then go right back to my old ways just to be back in the same position.

Even last year during my first competition prep I wrote a blog post about how much I ‘hated cardio’. I have hated cardio for at least the last 23 years of my life. Since last year this ‘hate’ relationship turned into a ‘LOVE/HATE’ relationship because I realized the important role cardio plays when you’re lifting weights and eating clean consistently.

Well something I never thought would happen has happened. Yesterday I did two 30 minute sessions of HIIT back to back and I couldn’t get enough! I realized as I was sprinting on the treadmill that… I… LOVE…CARDIO. Did I just say that? It’s true, I love it. It’s taken me a very long time to get to this place but after being consistent, determined, and persistent to do cardio even when I did not want to (which was many times) , I have made a breakthrough. I can officially say that I LOVE CARDIO!!! I did not think it would ever be possible for me to look forward to or enjoy cardio but it’s possible! I am telling you this because I KNOW many of you HATE cardio just as much as I did and if I can make this switch then I know you can too! Does this mean I will never experience a day when I don’t want to do my cardio? No, that’s not very realistic and I know there will be days that I will not be as motivated as others. But that’s how the cookie crumbles. Life is filled with ups and downs but these ups and downs are necessary for personal growth.

I am noticing a distinct trend here… The more time that passes that I am consistent with my workouts and clean eating, the easier and more enjoyable it is becoming and the less ‘work’ it feels like I am doing. This is who I am. This is not who I am becoming, this is who I have always been and another ‘born this way’ moment has arrived.

Never say never. Never give up. Never throw in the towel.

You are worth it and you deserve everything wonderful in life.