Why Should I Lift Weights?

Reason 2: Metabolism

I think most of us don’t fully understand what truly makes up our metabolism or what has a direct impact on our metabolism.

The thought process and belief behind the number on the scale is one of the biggest belief systems I have to break through with each new client!

Because it is so misunderstood too many of us take action, unknowingly, to actually damage the metabolism. The evidence is ever so present when we look at people who follow “diets” versus making lifestyle change in their eating habits. Most end up heavier than when they started or a higher body fat percentage. The cycle of dieting, follow diet- lose weight- return to normal- gain weight- wrecks havoc on the body and metabolism.

In addition, as discussed in my previous blog when it comes to weight loss so many- too many, woman especially, focus on cardio mostly and often at extreme levels creating even more damage to the metabolism by burning away muscle.

By definition, Metabolism is the process by which our bodies converts what we eat and drink into energy. It’s a pretty complex process, where the calories in what you eat and drink are combined with oxygen, releasing the energy your body needs to function.

To lose weight it’s simple. Burn more calories than you take in. Approx 3500 calories burned or reduced each week will equals 1lb lost.

It is truly that simple… if we fixate on how much we weight (the number on the scale) versus what makes up the weight (percentage that is body fat, visceral fat, muscle, bone, water, etc).

If we want be look our best, feel our best, and truly be healthy we must STOP fixating on how much we weigh and start focussing on what the weight is comprised of!!

Our percentages are far more important than the overall number. And how we achieve the number is critical to our ability to maintain the number and is critical to our overall health.

Please understand it is not the number you desire- it is the look you believe the number will give you. Or the size you will be wearing if you reach that number.

What if we focussed on the numbers that matter the most- fat percentage and muscle percentage- and focussed on what you want your body to look like, how you want to feel in your clothes and even naked, and being truly healthy. If you could achieve your goals does it matter what the scale says? I don’t think so.

I am a size double 00 and I weigh 25lbs more than I weighed when I was a size 3. The difference my muscle percentage!

I weigh more than I did 3 sizes bigger. How is that possible is lifting weights make you big and bulky? It is because lifting weights does not make you big and bulky… it brings you in tight! It gives you shape! And it’s builds your confidence!

Only if you desire to be a body builder will you- that goes for men and woman. And, even then, for most men and woman looking like a body builder would take use of drugs.

Do I look like a body builder? NO!

Do I look like a man because I have a high muscle percentage? NO!

I am looking to add more muscle and definition because I know it is good for the body and my health.

And guess what? I eat way more than I did because my body is a fat burning machine.

Do some people have a faster metabolism than others? Yes, there are different body types. Plus Body size, age, gender and genes all play a role in the speed of your metabolism. However, Muscle cells require more energy to maintain than fat cells, so people with more muscle than fat tend to have a faster metabolism.

As your muscle mass increases through weight training, the rate at which you burn energy (calories) increases which accelerates your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and helps you reduce excess body fat levels and lose weight in a healthy way.

You do have the ability to change your metabolism by lifting weights… and your aesthetics… and your health.

Let’s forget milk does the body good … especially since most of us should not eat or drink cow milk or products containing them!

Let’s go with…

Building muscle does the body good… and brings it in tight:)

Are you ready to put your health, what you want to see staring back at you in the mirror, and how you feel in your own a skin both clothed and nude a priority in your life?

When you choose you… you will be surprised of all the other choices that open up for you.