According to the health app on my phone, I’ve walked 51km since Monday.
Insofar as I can remember, this is the most distance I’ve walked in my entire life over such a short period of time.
See, as a former fattie, old habits die hard.
Cardio and I do not get along. Hence, I did none whatsoever for the better part of my teens and early 20s. It’s only been in the last 5 years or so that I’ve made cardio part of my routine – and even then, there have been times when I let it slide.
But here’s the thing: If I don’t do cardio, I get fat.
It matters not whether I lift 3, 4, 5, or 6 days per week. Without regular cardiovascular exercise, it’s impossible for me to maintain a physique that I’m truly proud of.
Frankly, I know this is the case for most men.
If you doubt me, observe the regulars at your local gym. Notice how most aren’t particularly lean. Strike up a conversation about training, and I’d bet the half-finished cup of coffee sitting on my desk they’d tell you they don’t do much – or any – cardio.
Why?
Doesn’t matter. Their reasons are their own. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that if you want to get and stay lean then you must partake in regular cardiovascular exercise.
The good news is, the sort of cardio I’m talking about requires no special skills or aptitude.
It doesn’t even take all that long to do.
Just a 30-minute walk every day without fail and a few “hard” conditioning sessions peppered in during the week. (These sessions seldom take longer than 45 minutes, inclusive of warmup and even less time if you’re just starting out).
Moreover, doing this means you can cut back on the amount of time you spend on lifting as well.
Bottom line: You’ll spend less time training and look one hell of a lot better.
Your clothes will fit comfortably.
You’ll be proud of your body.
You’ll better protect yourself from all sorts of nasty diseases.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
Another great deal is The Phil Tyreman Letter.
It’s really not for everyone, but you’ll love it if you’re one of the rare few who “gets” my way of thinking, training, and living.
Details here:
www.philtyreman.co.uk/information
Thank you,
Phil
P.S. FYI my hips, knees, and ankles are in bits from walking so far over the last few days. Suffice it to say I DO NOT recommend you ape my example.
If you haven’t done much cardio for a while and you’re gonna start walking, take it easy.
30 minutes at a slow-moderate pace is fine. It’s not a competition, and there’s no point in going hell for leather on your first few outings only to spend a week recovering because you’ve done yourself a mischief.
I shouldn’t have to write this, but we are on the internet and the internet is nothing if not full of mouth-breathers with the critical thinking skills of a lettuce.