Here is a horrible pic of me at the gym. Cardio is a necessary evil. I much prefer lifting but there are ways to make the cardio portion a little more palatable.
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Dance It Out: Try a dance workout! Zumba, hip-hop, or just dancing to your favorite playlist in your living room. It’s cardio, but you’re too busy having fun to notice!
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Gamify It: Turn your workout into a game. Apps like Zombies, Run! or Fitness RPG make you feel like you're on a mission, and you won’t even realize you’re working out.
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Try New Activities: Sometimes, a change of scenery helps. Try swimming, rock climbing, hiking, or even cycling. It doesn’t feel like traditional cardio but still gets your heart rate up.
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Buddy Up: Workout with a friend. Having a workout partner can make cardio a lot more social and fun. You can even compete or challenge each other.
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Interval Training: Switch up your routine with intervals. Do a fast-paced burst followed by a slow recovery period. It can make cardio feel more like a series of mini-goals rather than one long slog.
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Use Music/Podcasts/Audio Books: Create a playlist that gets you pumped or listen to a podcast or audiobook while working out. You’ll be so focused on the entertainment, you might forget you're even exercising.
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Join a Class or Group: If you're into structure, join a group fitness class like spin, boot camp, or kickboxing. The energy of a group can really make cardio fly by.
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Track Your Progress: Set small, attainable goals like increasing the number of steps or running a bit further each time. Seeing progress can be a huge motivator.
