3 Step Process to Make Cardio a Pleasant Habit

For the longest time, I have been neglecting cardio. I have been lifting for 7+ years to this date and I still have stubborn belly fat. I have muscle from weight lifting 4–6 days a week, but never did cardio. I always told myself:

“I don’t need cardio.”

“I am not a cardio person.”

“Cardio is not for me.”

There were even points in my life where I did cardio for two weeks straight then I began to burnout. My back started to hurt, my hamstrings were tightened, and hated cardio even more then when I started. UNTIL…

I came across this 3 Step Process.

1. Believe it.

My advice for anyone trying to make cardio a habit and want to take their health serious, you must believe you are a cardio person.

The best way to prove it to yourself is start small. Set goals you know you can reach. The first day you run (depending on your current state), go for a lap around the block, around the track, or run one mile.

This may seem very small, but that’s the point! If you run one lap and it’s easy, then run another.

Psychologically you are creating small wins that are building your confidence and motivation to achieve and do more.

Trust me, I do not care who you are. If you believe you are a cardio person, then you are.

2. Make it a Routine

My schedule that works best for me is running every other day. The first day I ran one lap around the block in my beautiful apartment in Thailand (boy did that kick my ass). The next other day, I ran two laps which equaled 1.5 miles.

Then I went to my gym which was about 3.5 miles.

Gradually, I continued to increase the distance. Then I realized a breakthrough,

“If I can walk it, then I can run it. If I can’t walk it, then I won’t be able to run it.”

Above, I purposely said went to the gym instead of run to the gym because I walked it. By doing this, I set a goal for myself that I knew I could achieve.

Then as I was 2.0 miles into my walk I realized that my voice inside my mind was telling me to stop numerous times (4 times to be exact).

I told my inner self, “Tyler you are fuc*ing walking, don’t be a pu*^y.” So I continued on and ended up walking the whole way without stopping.

Then when I went to run that same route on the next day of my routine, I was able to overcome any self doubt or fatigue.

Running is all mental. That’s why setting small goals such as walking will allow you to build self-confidence and momentum.

3. Figure Out Your Why

Before I made the decision to become a cardio person, I made a long list of pros and cons. All my pros being:

• More Energy
• Improved Health
• Live Longer
• More Self-Confidence
• Less Stress
• Happier
• Less Belly Fat
• More Focus

These are all my WHY’S and by writing all of them down in from me it showed The Power of Writing Words on Paper.

Then on those days I didn’t feel like running or during that mid-run where I was gasping for air, I would remind myself of this list.

By doing that, I had the motivation to keep going and ability to stick by what I told myself I would run for that day.

Because “The best runs comes on days you didn’t feel like running.”

This 3 Step Process has changed my life.

I am healthier than ever, I have a consistent good habit in place, and I now crave cardio.

All my why’s are coming into fruition and running reiterates the fact that if I say I am going to do it, then I will DO IT!

And the craziest part, I crave it. I get some of the best business ideas on a run, it reduces my stress, and the feeling after a long run is awesome.

I can proudly (and pleasantly) tell others that I am a cardio person.