Hamster Wheel
by Buzzed Beef
Greetings Bears!
I've come to the conclusion that I hate cardio. It has never been my favorite thing to do, but it is a necessary evil as far as I am concerned. While I was blessed with a strong, thick build that responds well to lifting weights, I was cursed with a metabolism that makes a glacial flow look like the Indy 500. As such, I have a natural propensity to gain and hold onto excess weight (read: FAT). So....therefore, I must engage in regular cardiovascular exercise to help keep the pounds at bay. Now, I realize that cardiovascular exercise has more benefits than promoting weight loss, but it has become just so infernally boring to me.
I always begin each workout with about 10 minutes of cardio (elliptical machine, treadmill, stationary bike) to get my blood pumping and elevate my heart rate and energize me for the lifting to follow. I don't have a problem with that part. In fact, I rather enjoy it. It's the post-lifting cardio that I take issue with. I've made a promise to myself that I am going to engage in 40 minutes of cardiovascular exercise after each weight workout. And this, my friends, is where my fur bristles. It bores me. I've tried reading...I've tried watching TV...I've tried singing along with music and those diversions just don't placate me.
So, what to do? It is clear that I must engage in regular cardiovascular exercise. I have to do it--I NEED to do it or I am just wasting my time. Hmm, I do have those sexy (and expensive) boxing gloves I bought last year for my trial-run at boxing lessons. I do have those new wrestling shoes I bought for training. The classes were an hour of intense cardio and sweat generating moves. They were not boring. They were not mundane. They required thinking and hand-eye coordination. And the boxing gym did open a closer, more conveniently located facility......
DING DING DING.....that's it!!! Yes! It is back to the punching bags for me. Beginning June 1, I am headed back to boxing classes. It is exactly the kind of workout I need to give me the cardiovascular and extra abdominal exercises I need in concert with my weightlifting (not to mention the eye candy).
Still no stimulus check, dammit.
Until next time,
Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)