Ladies, get lifting!

Hey ladies! Are you ready to lift some weights with me?

I have been weight training since I was a little girl when I joined a gymnastics team. Back then my training didn’t involve dumbbells but rather my own body. Gymnasts are usually not the bulky type, but despite small statures, they possess incredible strength.  I did push-ups, sit ups, hand stands, flip overs, squats, etc. In college, I became interested in weight training with weights and I have been doing it since.

Lifting weights is awesome! Weights help increase your strength and tone your body. In fact, lifting weights has shown to burn more body fat than steady cardio because of the metabolic demand it causes on the body. You see, when you perform cardio you burn calories only while you perform it, but during strength training you burn calories both during and post work out. So you work just as hard and get twice the results. Yay, double win!

Women always want to get toned, but cardio doesn’t build new muscle. Lifting weights and putting on some muscle will help you get lean and stay lean.  Why? Because nothing burns food like muscles. Above all, lifting weights will make you strong. Both my daughters lift weights every day ( in addition to cardio). They are two of the strongest girls I know.I do a lot of lifting in my life… and I am not just talking weights. Since our move to Nashville, three years ago, I have moved twice and helped with four college move- ins. The kids and I are used to carrying heavy furniture, boxes and stuff, several flights of stairs. I also do all the work around the house, which includes painting the house, refinishing hardwood floors, mowing the lawn, building furniture, and much more. All these tasks require a lot of strength, which I certainly wouldn’t have without my weight training.You can buy a pair of weights for as little as $10. You can even use cans of soups if you are just starting out. I use 3, 5, or 8-pound weights, but you can start with 1 pound and slowly work your way up.

You can be on a treadmill and run for miles and miles, but your arms will never be toned. Start lifting weights and you’ll see results within a few weeks.  You’ll love the feeling of being STRONG and getting STRONGER! It’s truly empowering!