February 22, 2019: Rule #1 - Cardio



I need to start doing cardio again. Last year I made an effort to exercise everyday. Tuesday and Thursdays I’d swim at least a kilometer, and the rest of the week I’d run or bike. Yet since the beginning of this year my cardio workout has been nonexistent.             
I could come with a lot of excuses for why I’ve been sitting on my butt. Like that I’ve been focusing on just getting stronger in my gym, or that I’ve started a new position at work. I could say I’ve been busy focusing on my novel, or that it’s been cold outside. Yet the truth is, it’s mostly laziness. I’ve found that when I really want something, I find time to do it.
            It’s at the point now where my lack of cardio is affecting my climbing. Tuesday wasn’t a great day because after I sent two projects, my heart was ready to pound out of my chest. Also my forearms were so dead I could barely form a fist. There are three reasons why I think I had a bad time on Tuesday. Not enough cardio, not enough cardio, and not enough cardio.
I suppose also it’s the fact climbing is a completely different sport than what I’m used to. It’s different because I actually need to warm up before fully going into my workouts. As a rule, I skip warming up before exercising. I’m sure it’s very beneficial for most people, but I just don’t feel like I need them. 
I think that’s a mistake most fitness books and diets make. They make blanket rules for every person, completely ignoring each individual’s physical needs. A Paleo diet might be great for someone, but awful for another person. One athlete might need to stretch before every workout, and some athletes might be fine ignoring the procedure.
There’s a whole industry built on selling that magic bullet that will make everyone fit. “Give up gluten and lose 20 pounds in a month!” “Only cook with coconut oil and watch your waistline shrink in two weeks!” No diet plan ever sells the truth. Because the truth is, fitness is hard work. It’s hard work to reach a healthy weight and even harder work maintaining it. Assuming you don’t have a hummingbird’s metabolism.
Truth be told, if you’re trying to be fit to reach some fantastical idealized version of yourself, I don’t think it’s worth the pain. But if you’re trying to just have a better quality of life, or if you’re trying to pursue some goal, then I think it’s worth it. For years now I’ve wanted to rock climb. And after a month of doing it, I truly love it. On the days that it feels good, it’s great. I want to follow this path as long as I can. I just need to start doing cardio again.

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