by Kcurly on February 25, 2010
I remember when the 8lb weights used to be too much for me. I now use them on a regular basis with light effort. After conquering those, I bought some 10 lbs weight and have been using them pretty consistently. I thought I was getting a good workout from them.
Well, they’ve been my “heavy” weight for months now. The five pound weights were assigned as my “light” weights.
One day, while waiting for DS to finish his tumbling class, I decided to use the last 10 minutes of his class to try out the weight machines (his class in our gym). I’m a free weight type of girl, but I started out on machines, so I thought it would be interesting to see how it went.
Let me tell you, I was sore afterwards! I got home and realized that I am no longer sore after my weight lifting at home. I went out and bought some 12 and 15 pound weights. These are now my “heavy” weights and the 8 and 10 pounds weights are my light. How did I notice realize that things had gotten too easy?
This is a lesson that can be applied in both cardio and strength. If you’re strolling along on the treadmill, leisurely reading your magazine…you might want to ask yourself: Is it enough?
According to this study, people are more likely to pick weights that are too light. Are you working out to your fullest potential?
by Kcurly on January 20, 2010
My belly has always been a source of self consciousness for me. The birth of a child has only made things worse. The belly seems to be the last place I lose weight from. If only I could transfer some of that fat to my butt, I’d be happier. But I digress…
Believe it or not, I’m not only upset for aesthetic reasons ,but also health reasons. Large amounts of belly fat predispose you to:
- Heart disease
- Breast cancer
- Diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Gallbladder problems
- High blood pressure
- Colorectal cancer
These fat cells can produce hormones such as estrogen (an increase of can heighten your chance of breast cancer) and other hormones that may increase the chance of insulin resistance. Here’s a good article on this.
Of course to get rid of it, you have to lose weight. I know spot reduction (building muscle in the area you want to improve) is not supposed to work, but I am doing daily sit ups anyway in hopes that once the fat is gone, there will be a little muscle there.
*sigh* One day!
by Kcurly on December 29, 2009
What are you waiting for?
While focusing on body weight is important sometimes, body muscle/fat ratios are also important. I once knew twins who weighed (basically) the same, same height. One was very fit and wore a size 4, the other was flabbier and wore a size 8 (not that I wouldn’t kill someone to be in a size 8 right now, but you get the picture!). This is why:
I think the picture says it all. More on strength training in the future.
