Lift Weight to Lose Weight!

The human body is designed to store fat–a great deal of it, in fact. But if we continue to subject it to extra calories, highly processed carbohydrates, little rest, high stress and chronic inactivity, we will continue to expand our fat cells at unprecedented rates.

The truth is, the majority of overweight people are also suffering from a modern day disorder called hypokinesis. Hypokinesis is really just a fancy term for too little bodily movement. Let’s face it, too many of us just like to sit around on our ever-expanding bottoms and complain about our weight woes.

The problem with fad weight loss programs is that they are designed to help you experience various amounts of “weight loss” in short periods of time. Research shows that for every pound of fat you lose on these miracle diets, you also lose a pound of muscle tissue. And muscle tissue is the most metabolically active tissue you own–lose even a pound of it, and you lose the ability to burn extra calories.

This is why weight training is the most important form of exercise you can perform. Proper weight training ensures that you at least retain muscle tissue as you embark on a fat-loss regimen. Think of this as your life-long insurance policy for continual fat loss. Why do you think men are always more successful at weight loss than women (even though women try so much harder)? Men carry on average approximately 40 pounds more muscle on their frames–which allots them an extra 30 percent ability to burn calories.

Following six simple steps to weight training success:

1. Warm up

A cold muscle is an inactivated muscle. Always take 10 to 15 minutes to warm up the body by walking on a treadmill or peddling on a stationary bike.

2. Drink plenty of water

Water is essential to the metabolism of body fat as well as the building of metabolically active muscle tissue. Drink six ounces of water for every 15 minutes of activity.

3. Focus on technique

Technique is everything, especially when you’re lifting weights. If you want to see results fast, pay close attention to the way you perform your exercises. Your success depends greatly on the tempo of the exercises. Slow down to control the rate at which you perform each exercise–don’t let the weight control you!

4. Don’t over train

No matter what you have heard in the past, you do not need to spend hours working out to see results. Forty-five minutes each session is enough.

5. Cool down

Take about 10 minutes at the end of the routine to cool down properly. When stretching, make sure you move into the stretch slowly, breathing deeply the entire time. Hold the stretch for at least 10 to 30 seconds and then slowly come back to the starting position.

6. Mix it up

Change your routine often–your muscles adapt rapidly to an exercise program. To see continual results, change your routine approximately every 6 to 8 weeks.

Need more help? Let a certified professional design and implement the right program fro you.

visit http://www.inhometrainer.ca

This article is courtesy of alive.com