As a trainer who works with woman each and every day, I am constantly battling with ladies that don't want to lift weights heavier than 5 pounds for fear of looking too big and bulky. Guess what ladies - if you have children you have been lifting heavier than five pounds since the day your child was born. How about those laptop bags - those are certainly heavier too.
To quote Lou Schuler who said it best in his book The New Rules of Lifting for Woman, "Hard work includes lifting heavier weights. If the weights do not challenge you, your muscles won't grow. If your muscles don't grow, they wont look any better than they do now, even if you could somehow strip off whatever fat sits on top of them. Unless you're an extreme genetic outlier, you can't get too bulky. Your body won't allow it." Woman are naturally deprived of the amounts of testosterone that would make this worry a true concern.
So, the next time you pick up the weights, don't waste precious time with the 2 and 3 pound barbie dumbbells. Make your workout more effective in less time by choosing weights that challenge you. It won't be long before you begin to notice the difference in your figure.
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I totally agree - lifting 33 pounds every day is quite a challenge, and how many reps can you do with 5 pounds and actually feel anything? I want to feel like i have accomplished something when i leave the gym - how about you?
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more with Merri and Stacy! Not only that I find it hard to convince other women (friends) of the same thing! Muscle will burn through fat! You may feel big for a little while but then start to trim down. Just be patient!
ReplyDeleteThank you Stacy for all of your great advice! Now how about some poniters on how to run more effectivly to reduce injuries and increase speed? Or simply how to enjoy your running workout :)
Travis
I never stopped to think of it that way. My daughter weighs 30 pounds and I'm constantly picking her up! Good advice!
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