A lot of women often feel scared or even intimidated by the idea of lifting weights. Most women do not feel comfortable in the weight room with a bunch of men and it is also a preconceived notion that lifting weights will make women big and manly. However, that is not the case. Lifting weights is so important especially for women. It is great for burning fat and building that nice lean muscle that looks so good. The more muscle the body has the more fat and calories the body will burn naturally. It is actually proven that lifting weights increases your metabolism for up to twenty four hours as the workout. After a workout there is more excess post-exercise oxygen consumption which means there is an increase in oxygen consumption which helps break down fat stores in the body. Lifting weights will give your body a boost that cardio alone will not. Doing excessive amounts of cardio can actually burn through your muscle and will not give you a very tight look. It also helps with building bone density which is important especially for women because women are more prone to developing rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis. Women also do not have the testosterone to build bulky muscle as men do. Granted, we all release testosterone while working out but it is not nearly as much as a man would release. It also helps with posture and pain as well as enhances mood and reduces stress.

My fitness journey began when I was fourteen years old. I started out doing at home workout videos due to the fact that I did not have a gym membership and also felt too scared to go to a gym at that time. Eventually my family got a membership at our local YMCA. I started out with group exercise classes such as Zumba, cycling, step aerobics, etc. I also would get on the elliptical or treadmill. It was not much but it was a good start. Group exercise classes are a great way to get into fitness because of the encouragement of the other people around you. I myself eventually became a certified Zumba and cycling instructor and began working in the fitness department at the YMCA. I taught classes and often worked the floor in the weight room which scared me at the time. I met my now husband when I was twenty and that’s when I got into fitness even more. He introduced me to lifting weights and other aspects of the gym other than cardio and group fitness classes. He introduced me to the idea of better nutrition as well. Since then I have made a lot of muscle gains and advances in fitness. I have also competed in a bodybuilding competition. It’s been a great journey so far and I am looking forward to where it goes.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton