Why should we weight train and where should I start?
First, I want to start off by saying that lifting weights will not make you look bulky. Women, I’m talking to you. To look like a bodybuilder you would have to drastically change your lifestyle and it would take a long time to pack on that much muscle.
To cut to the chase, your muscle is an organ. If it is depleted and weak you will be fat, depleted, and weak, and so will your metabolism. For every 10 pounds of muscle you gain, your body uses about 50 extra calories a day at rest just sleeping. Improving your muscle mass can help with improving blood sugar control, and metabolism. Maintaining weight loss, and improving sleep are also just a few benefits. I like to think of muscle as a fountain of youth as it also helps to keep your skin tight.
To look like the woman in the photo on to the right. You would have to measure your food and be on the world’s strictest diet to put it so simple. You would have to count every macronutrient and train twice a day. That was my friend and the week before getting on that stage it got tougher. If you’re a beginner just get it out of your head that you’ll get buff if you lift weights. Women don’t have the ability to pack on muscle as fast as men. But, we can build muscle and sustain it if we try.
Now that, that’s out of the way. Let’s talk about the benefits!
Lifting builds muscle and muscle burns calories. This means even when you’re at rest, your muscles will continue to burn calories at rest. Exercise and weight training will also help your Lymphatic system which also aids in helping your immune system and circulation in your body. To activate muscle growth you need to use your muscles as this can be done by doing circuit training or lifting weights.
Where do you start?
Well, there are many ways to do this but we will go over the way that usually works best for me. That way is usually the easiest and simplest way. My favorite is circuit training, circuit training is when you move fast through a group of exercises. For example doing 15 squats, plus 15 lunges, plus 15 burpees, ending with 30-second mountain climbers. You would repeat these exercises at least 4 – 5 times. Sounds easy until you get to round 4. Ensure to rest for 30 seconds after each circuit. You can change it up by adding push-ups, and sprints as well. You can also use your own body weight or incorporate some weights as you get stronger. I like to incorporate some weights 2 – 3 times a week as it all comes together slowly if you just keep at it.
