Hello blog world! Claira here, with a Part II to my previous “Women + Weight Lifting.” I hope after my last blog on women lifting weights, that I changed some of you women’s minds, or at least opened them up a bit, about whether or not to pick up the heavy stuff in the gym. If so, GREAT! If not, here’s a few more bullet points to see if I can…
- Increased Metabolism
First, what is metabolism? Metabolism is the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life. Or put simply, it is the rate at which your body will burn the calories that you take in everyday with food. Although metabolism is affected by age and gender, it is also influenced by your body composition. So the lower your body fat, and the higher your lean muscle mass (that you create through lifting weights), the higher your metabolism will be. Which in turn means more calories burned throughout your day. More calories burned = more weight lost.
- More Muscle = More Calories Burned
As we spend our time on the treadmill: walking, running, sprints. Whatever it may be. You are indeed revving up your calorie burn while you are in motion. But as soon as that motion stops, so does the calorie burn. Unlike weight training, where for hours after your iron-pumping workout you are still burning calories.
While you are lifting weights, you are actually creating tiny tears in your muscles and breaking them down. Don’t worry, your muscles respond by building up even more muscle cells to prepare themselves for the amounts of work you are placing on them. It is these new cells that require even more energy. Three times more energy, in fact, than fat cells. Even at rest. The more you can make of these beautiful muscle fibers the more calorie burn you will have. This will help aid you in weight loss.
- Muscle = Curves
When you start lifting weights, your body starts to form it self into a beautiful figure. Have you noticed that the craze these days is to get that booty? By lifting weights and focusing on lifting heavy on your glutes, you can actually CREATE that booty that some people pay money for. When you add in back workouts to build up the muscles in your back, the combination of a bigger booty and a well defined, built back, will create the illusion of a smaller waist. And there ain’t NOBODY out there who can tell me they don’t want a smaller waist.
I was lucky enough to be born with no shape at all. Ok, I wasn’t lucky at all. I have no bum, no boobs, and no curve around my waist. No hour glass figures for me. Which there is nothing wrong with, but since I have learned how to build my muscles in the right areas, my body is starting to take on some shape. It doesn’t happen after one session in the gym, and it also doesn’t come in any pill form or magic potion you buy at the protein shop. It comes from time and effort on YOUR behalf.
The body you have always wanted is waiting for you at your local gym, all you have to do is walk through the doors, and begin your journey.
HAPPY LIFTING!
If you have any questions or need any suggestions we would love to help get you started. Shoot us an email at [email protected], or see our website pages for more details on plans.
