fitness: do hard things (cardio shmardio) (diet shmiet)

I was thinking about all the people I know who get no where doing cardio and low calorie diets.

Every year I become a couch potato and then when gardening season begins I lift, I pull, I dig, I drag and it hurts all over! But at the end of it I'm fit again.

And I don't diet! I might eat a bit less just because I'm off the couch.

It just occurred to me that fitness isn't about cardio, at least for me and my body type. (your mileage may vary)

Fitness happens to me when I make my muscles do hard things. And none of it is "cardio".

I once knew an aerobics instructor with a beer belly. He danced all day and still his gut held on.

Getting outside is also important and probably part of my yearly "cure".

Definition of "hard things" varies by person, and all people should start SLOW. For some walking to the mailbox might be a hard thing to start with. But when that hurdle is overcome, it's time to build muscle. Walking is just transportation.