Should We Bash Cardio?

I watch a hella lot of fitness videos on YouTube and read a lot of fitness blogs, and one common opinion I find everywhere is that cardio is 'a waste of time'/not necessary. Now...since starting my fitness journey, I wanted to discuss this on my blog because the gym and general fitness is something I am quite passionate about and I don't believe anything should be bashed, as such, because everything will work differently for different people and different body types.

I personally try to do 10-20 minutes of cardio every session when I go to the gym, and that's just because I feel much happier when I do it, and that's the routine I've been doing and have seen working. I also do one or two cardio sessions a week, which I really feel the benefit of, as I always leave sweating like a pig. Generally I will do 20-30 minutes on the StairMaster which is an absolute killer (watching Netflix helps!),  a 10 minute intense cycle, and 10 minutes on the little stepper machine, which I have no idea the name of. I don't necessarily do this to see a physical change in my body, but more to change myself on the inside. Doing cardio is great for the health of your heart, and looking after your insides is just as important, if not more, than looking after the outside. Saying all this however, without weight training, I wouldn't have seen the changes in my body that I have, going from a size 14 to a 10 in just under two years, and also getting stronger.

Casual Armpit Vagina....

I'm by no means saying that cardio is the main thing you should be doing in the gym, but I believe it is a good way to keep a healthy and balanced lifestyle and a good way to achieve weight loss and toning, in combination with weight training. I've spoken to a lot of my friends who have told me all they do in the gym is cardio, an hour of it almost 4 times a week. It works for them in terms of weight loss, but it's not the best long term solution if you want to change your body permanently. 

Can we appreciate the awkward stretching photo....I thought it would be obligatory to have me doing something fitness related LOL.

On a final note, if it makes you feel good, then do it! You don't have to listen to what other people say and think. But, if you are trying to seek a permanent change in your body, rather than a quick fix, it really is best to trial out different workout styles, and also talk to a personal trainer to figure out the best way to achieve your goals. Also if you, like most people, don't find cardio the most enjoyable, I really recommend hitting up a gym class such as Zumba, or my new favourite which is Metafit, a high intensity class which I always feel the burn of the next day.
Let me know what your favourite day in the gym is, or if 2017 is the year you are starting to go to the gym, I'd love to know!