Building Cardio In A Bigger Body

I have heard it several times lately. Can you increase your cardio when you still have “fluff”? I am a 5’4” woman at about 225lbs. I have quite a bit of excess fat. And I have made momentous cardio gains this year.

I know it is meant well, but its also a backhanded compliment. The “Wow, Lexi is actually pretty good at hiking.'“ They make the assumption that because I am in a bigger body I will be slow (which there is nothing wrong with and I am actually an expert at going slow and enjoying the views).

This year that is one of my biggest physical goal is to improve my cardio, and guess what?! I have significantly and its not because I have lost a single pound. You heart is a muscle that needs to be trained, and there are many of ways you can train it. I have been doing a mixture of incline walk, running, step ups, and more depending on the season. Thinness doesn’t mean well cardio trained and neither does being in a bigger body.

Here is your permission to be where you are. Start as a beginner. Find some cardio that you think is fun and do it consistently. Take your iPad to the gym and scroll Reels while you incline walk. You health will thank you. Get those cardio gains, even in a bigger body.

Much love,

Lexi