In theory, staying in shape is an enjoyable and ultimately rewarding experience as individuals get to see first-hand just how well their hard work in the kitchen and in the gym, or anywhere else for that matter, has paid off.

In reality, however, although it is fantastic when you begin seeing results, you can still find yourself becoming demoralised, frustrated, and even bored at the prospect of working out.

If you’re looking to shape up and slim down by burning fat, like millions of other people in the world, then cardio will have to become a big part of your life.

Cardio is hugely beneficial for weight loss and indeed your health in general for that matter. The problem is that more often than not it can be extremely boring and the entire process can drag on for what feels like a lifetime.

If you’re looking to make your cardio more interesting and enjoyable, here are a few tips to help you out.

1. Do it with a friend – If at all possible, why not involve a friend with your cardio sessions and work out together.

Jogging on the treadmill for an hour at a time can be boring by yourself, but if you get a friend involved, you can spur each other on, you can motivate each other, and it will also add a competitive element so each of you will work just that little bit harder than if you were training alone.

If you’re going at a more steady pace then another benefit is that you can hold a conversation whilst training, instead of staring at a clock that never seems to move. Before you know it 30 – 40 minutes will have passed and you won’t even have realised.

2. Listen to your favourite music – whether you’re jogging outdoors or using equipment in a gym, listen to your favourite music on an MP3 or MP4 player or other similar device.

Listening to music you like will be enjoyable and will help pass the time, and, not only that, it will help increase the flow of endorphins and adrenalin which will make you work even harder than you were previously.

It may not sound like much, but listening to music you enjoy can make a huge difference.

3. Do things you enjoy – there are some people who literally despise treadmills with every fibre of their beings, yet every week they’ll put themselves through physical and mental torture by using them several times per week to stay in shape. But why?

What they could do quite easily instead is perform cardio in a manner that they actually enjoy and that they actually look forward to.

If you hate running then don’t run, find an alternative. Swimming for example, is a great form of cardio, so if you enjoy swimming, head down to your local pool. If you enjoy cycling, go cycling several times per week.

Whatever it is that you enjoy, if it keeps you active and gets your heart rate up then there’s a strong chance that it’s beneficial for you.

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