One of the unexpected outcomes of this go-round of Body for Life for me has been an incredible sense of pride in my progress. Yes, I’ve still got the belly (but it’s getting smaller) and no, I’m not “buff” yet.
But about a month ago I decided to brave the gym’s cross-trainer machine for my cardio. My first experience was frightening. I thought I was going to die. My heart rate was way over my target and dangerously close to my maximum.
But after I got over it, my body was… “humming”. I knew that what I had done was something that would be good for me.
So I did it again. And again. Now the cross-trainer is all I do. Today (we’re on week 9 here, and it’s probably been a month of cross-training cardio for me) I did my full 20 minute cardio on it, including one minute “backwards”, plus the five minute cooldown afterward, and my heartrate was only slightly above my target of 148 (set by the machine based on my age and weight). And because the first time on the cross-trainer was so traumatic, and it’s been so staggeringly different now, I’m really proud of the changes.
And every week at road hockey I see it. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m usually the guy who doesn’t run a lot. Maybe I’ll do an occasional sprint when the situation warrants, but I never really run unless I’m sure it’ll accomplish something. But now I’m running more and more. And I’m noticing it. And I’m so proud that I’m talking about it to people a lot.
I’m so proud that I’m posting on the Internet! Durrrr.
Want good cardio? Get a gym membership and hit the cross-trainer at least three times a week. It’ll be torture at first, but within a month you’ll see great results.
Well who knows…there might be another runner in the family. ‘Bout time you finally found the benefits and extreme results of intense cardio.