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BETTER YOU - Your body will only do what you ask
it to do, and by lifting weights, you are requiring more of
your muscles, causing them to grow and strengthen to meet the
extra demand. This added strength helps your body's ability
to lift heavier objects while increasing your endurance to perform
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"Functional
fitness is required for everyday living," says
Kathy Smith, a legend in the world of fitness, and author
of the book "Kathy Smith's Lift Weights, Lose
Weight" (Warner Books, January 2001).
"Picking up your groceries or carrying your child
all require muscular strength and weight training builds
strength and endurance making your everyday tasks seem
easier." This added muscle, in turn, increases your
metabolism and energy level because muscle tissue, by
nature, burns calories.
With more muscle, more calories in your body are expended
on a daily basis, increasing your energy level and weight
loss. Although your scale weight may not change or may
even increase, this doesn't mean you aren't becoming thinner
and leaner. Muscle takes up less space than fat, and results
will especially be evident in the way your clothing fits.
"Consistent weight training adds about one-half
to one pound of muscle mass, which increases your body's
metabolic weight and induces it to burn calories,"
explains Kurt S. Harris, a certified personal trainer
in Hollywood, FL. Stronger muscles can also help to prevent
injuries and diseases that often affect women in later
stages of life. Osteoporosis, for example, is a result
of frail bones but can be prevented by reinforcing the
tissues surrounding the muscles, which include your ligaments,
tendons, and bones. The overall strength of these combined
tissues can also protect your body from injuries that
may occur from life's little accidents, such as tripping
and falling.
Another bonus is that strength training can be used as
a great antidote for stress. "Some of my clients
walk into the gym after a stressful day on the job, and
are tension-free after their workouts," says Harris.
Focusing on the form and movement of each exercise helps
to relieve your mind and body of the day's occurrences
while uplifting your mental energies. At the same time,
the self-esteem gained from having a stronger and toned
body can't help but positively affect your overall mental
outlook.
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Weight
Training For Everyone |
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