Building an enviable physique is the aspiration of most people when they begin a fitness oriented lifestyle. The desire to lose the dreaded gut, and tone up the rest of the body is at the top of the list for most Americans during every New Year's Resolution. The majority of men set out to hit the weights hard in order to transform their "string-sized" arms into monumental peaks. Cardiovascular routines are sure to follow, as they dream of the alluring six-pack awaiting them.
Women, on the other hand, are torn between two possibilities. They also desire to tone up their bodies and lose the extra fat. Unfortunately, a huge stumbling block awaits many of these women before they even begin. This obstacle occurs not in the gym, but rather in the minds of the majority of women. A tremendous fear exists that if they engage in strenuous weight lifting, then they will begin to develop masculine qualities, essentially losing their femininity. This principle is completely unfounded, without a shred of truth.
The truth is that women need to lift weights just as much as men, if not more, in order to obtain a stunning physique. Women already "have the weights stacked against them" when it comes to building muscle. Men have an abundance of testosterone with low levels of estrogen, which is very conducive to building muscle. Women, on the other hand, have low levels of testosterone and high levels of estrogen. This switch in hormones makes it very difficult for women to gain any muscle at all. Therefore, women have to work much harder than men in the gym to gain substantially less muscle.
Another principle that every woman should consider, is that a weight lifting routine combined with an efficient cardiovascular routine is by far the best means of losing fat and keeping it off. When a person lifts weights a few things happen. The individual burns calories while he/she is working out. Also, typically with cardiovascular workouts the calorie burning only lasts for a few hours after the workout, but with weight training the muscles need to be rebuilt after being torn down during the exercise session. This rebuilding of muscle also consumes additional calories and can last for several days. But perhaps the most significant factor to consider is that for every pound of muscle that an individual gains his/her metabolism permanently increases to the point where they can consume an additional 50 calories each day. If a person was to gain 10 pounds of muscle, then that person could consume an additional 500 calories each day, just to maintain their weight. By lifting weights and gaining muscle the fat burning process is greatly expedited and sustained.
Many women will read the above information and still stray from lifting weights. Instead many of these women will seek to perform only cardiovascular workouts for "fear of becoming a man", resulting in emaciated physiques without a hint of muscle tone. The truth is that weight lifting will NEVER change a woman's anatomy. The horse voice, hairy bodies, massive muscles, etc. that are seen on other women bodybuilders are the result of anabolic steroid use and not lifting weights. Only by lifting weights will a woman be able to obtain the desirable curves while maintaining a lean physique.
Women also need to ensure that they eat the proper nutrition in order to see the best results. Maintaining a good diet plan and a thought out workout plan will guarantee great results. For free diet plans, free workout plans, free nutritional advice, & much more then please check out my website at http://www.toneyourbod.com. I also have a fitness forum where you can respond and ask any questions that you have regarding fitness, nutrition, supplements, etc. I wish you all the best in your fitness endeavors!
No comments:
Post a Comment