It's been a while since I've done a little something fitness related for you, and I feel like this is a good time. After all, it's summer. And everyone is hoping for that beach bod to show up one morning.
I'd like to go ahead and give my continual reminder - Just because it worked for someone you know, does not mean it will work for you! I will always share my case in point to back this up. When the keto diet was hitting hard and fast, I had clients thinking about going that route. I'm not a nutritionist, nor a dietician, but I have common sense and a background in studying all of this. However, because I am me, I decided to put myself at risk for the sake of science. I went low carb. (Scary, I know.) Within four days I gained quite a bit of weight. I was sluggish. I couldn't get through a workout. I quit after a week. I went back to eating as I felt and lost the weight. I gained energy. Why? Why didn't it work? Should I have stuck with the diet for another four weeks? Maybe. But I wouldn't be able to workout if I did. I had to make the choice that was right for me. I grew up on sugar. I grew up on processed foods. I grew up going balls to the walls in fitness, but ate like a drunk/high college student studying for finals. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted. I didn't count calories. I drank more Mountain Dew than I can imagine. And I was fit enough. So now, as an adult, my body does better with sugars than it does fat. My body is ok with Auntie Little Debbie coming by and stocking the cabinets. That's me. I know myself. It's your job to get to know yourself as well. But here is a little piece of the puzzle that maybe you aren't looking at as well. Fat burn. I know I've posted about target zones for cardio, but what about strength? Did you get confused? How is strength related to fat burn? Science has shown us that bodies with more muscular tissue burn more fat. So why is it that when someone makes that crucial decision to get in better shape, they start with cardio? Is this you? The process usually starts with walking or going to a gym. It increases to biking/cycling classes/aerobics, the elliptical, treadmill, and rowing machines. And usually there is a loss. Weight or inches might drop from a person. And then they're stuck. So then they start eating "healthier" and dropping calories. Well, more weight and inches are lost. Then the wall gets hit again. Strength training is usually the third and final option. It should be the first. Strength training will help to burn calories at rest. Muscle will help to burn fat. Muscles will gain endurance to take you on the walks, bike rides, and runs. Strength training helps balance blood sugars. The key to success is in the strength training. I know many women don't want to hear that. They don't want to get "bulky". Fun fact, unless you're taking testosterone, you won't get bulky. And I know men get excited by the strength training, push those weights around. But there will be a balance. You need the strength training. You need cardiovascular work. You need flexibility training. All of these things work together. Let's get training!
1 Comment
Catherine
7/28/2022 05:42:36 am
Yes, true. My go-to class at the gym is Spin/cycling class and I used to go for walks a lot before, it's relaxing to be outside. I used to go to Body Pump with my husband, but due to my work schedule, I haven't. I could never do Keto. I try to eat somewhat healthy but I have been doing intermittent fasting, for the last month, not sure if it's working yet. :) I work from home and have a small dumbbell set, how much strength training should I do per week?
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI have a lot to say about a lot of things. Archives
May 2023
Categories |