5 Reasons I Gave Up On Cardio

I broke up with cardio and I didn't even see it coming. One day I picked up a book on weight training when I was particularly tired of treadmill grind sessions and I've never looked back. It turns out, weight training was the perfect fit for my body and what I wanted when it came to workouts. If, like me, you can't stand the thought of stepping on the treadmill one more time, I urge your to give weight training a try for these reasons.

1. No more dreading the gym.

I used to dread cardio. Simply put, it's hard. Running and sweating is jarring, especially after an already-long day at work. My philosophy after years of body abuse is to treat myself with ease. Weightlifting is comprised of slow, steady motions that focus on my muscles in a way I wasn't getting before. Having to think about my next move and holding form correctly has become almost meditative to me.

2. It'll boost your metabolism.

Weightlifting doesn't give you that initial endorphin rush like cardio, but it's an investment in your metabolism. It builds muscle, and we all know that muscle burns more calories. It also gives you an "afterburn" effect, meaning you'll continue to burn calories throughout the day, even hours after your workout is over. When I started training with weights, I lost stubborn pounds once and for all without cardio. My metabolism perked up and said let's do this.

3. Your curves will thank you.

My friends immediately get edgy when I tell them they should pick up some dumbbells because, in their words, they don't want to look "bulky." But a personal trainer once told me that it takes years to put on the kind of muscle they're scared of and introducing weight training to your fitness routine won't result in looking like a body builder.

Instead, you'll just look like a hot mama with a booty and femininity. I loved the process of seeing my triceps emerge from years of dormancy, and my strong glutes make me feel more curvaceous. After years of feeling deflated and depressed about my body, I've fully embraced the feminine curves I've developed through weight training.

4. You'll learn to appreciate food in a new way.

In order for weight lifting to have maximum effect, you should be eating small, nutrient-dense meal before and after you workouts. When you're training to build muscle, your food choices become more strategic because you're focusing on building your body. When the food you're putting into your body has a direct correlation to how effective your workout will be and the building up of muscles, it's inevitable that you'll stop to think before putting something in your mouth.

So when I took up weight training, I began to make better food choices, eating more slowly and deliberately, which inadvertently improved my relationship and choices in food.

5. It changes the focus from loss to gain.

Psychologically, all those years of cardio were about burning away my body. I was focused on losing parts of myself to feel better about my overall appearance. I was trying to move toward less, less and less. But weight training taught me that I could become stronger and my muscles could build larger. Instead of running endless miles to lose something of myself, I happily pick up weights in order to gain a new part of me.

Photo Credit: Stocksy

1. Prev:3 Hormones That Mess With Your Weight Loss
2. Next:3 Things Diets Dont Teach You