If you've got it...flaunt it. If you don't, get it with us.

“I want to get into a bit better shape before I come to see you.” I’ve actually heard this statement, from more than one person. Perhaps this is some sort of “blow-off”, perhaps some fanciful delusions…whatever the reason, if you’re not taking steps to get into, or maintain, a decent level of fitness…chances are, without the proper guidance, you never will.

With the Spring coming upon us quickly, and the summer months not too far behind, everyone is hitting that point. The point of yearning for a six pack, satisfied with a losing five pounds. While you may not find that six pack, why settle for less than what you’re capable of? Why settle for less than what you know you can achieve?

If it would surprise you to hear that what you eat is more important than how much you workout, it might benefit you to meet with a Fit2You Wellness Professional. If it would surprise you that resistance training is equally important for men and women; it might benefit you to meet with a Fit2You Wellness Professional. If it would surprise you that you don’t have to exercise every day; it might benefit you to meet with a Fit2You Wellness Professional.

First, six pack abs have very little to do with exercise. Of course, only a dedicated weight and cardio trainer can achieve that much coveted six pack, it’s their diet not their sit ups that clear the way for those abs to pop. You see, so many of us carry extra weight around our midsection; and for good reason. Many of our most vital organs are located in our midsection; from bodily functions to reproduction. This fat around our bellies protects those organs. Eating properly is the long road to the six pack abs.

Second, resistance training provides the same benefits to men and women alike. The benefits of resistance training are so vast, so numerous, I wouldn’t presume to list them all here. But know this: Weight training boosts metabolism, metabolism eats calories, calorie burning means weight loss. Additionally, resistance training aides in the development of a lean and muscular frame, whereas cardio alone can not develop this muscular definition. I know some of you out there will say “I know this guy, who runs all the time, and never lifts weights and he’s super lean and you can see all his muscles”. Well, this is true. However, his muscle definition results more from low body fat than it does from the presence of high quality lean muscle mass.

For those of you out there who fear putting on “too much muscle”, I assure you resistance training alone will not create muscles that make a woman look like a man, or make a man look like a martian freak. For those kinds of freakish muscles, you’ll need to stick a needle in tush…so, no worries there.

Third, you do not need to workout every day. Too often, someone new to exercise hits the gym for 2 hours, every day. Performing cardio back to back with resistance training. Training like this, from the start is a guaranteed short, painful ride to burn out. Everyone should start slowly, 30 minutes a day for most days – working your way up.

Finally, and I know this one is going to generate an INSANE amount of debate and argument, perhaps even a few nasty emails, but I do not recommend cardiovascular exercise (IE: Running, rowing, biking) for weight management. I encourage my clients to use cardio training for heart health only. Weight management starts in the kitchen with a clean and healthy diet, and is further supported by a balanced, and structured resistance training regiment. Not only does resistnace training burn calories while engaged in the activity, resistance training burns calories during the “repair phase” ,when the body is rehabilitating the muscle trauma caused by resistance training. The development of lean muscle requires the devotion of bodily resources to maintain that muscle. This maintenance burns calories…hundreds of them.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, contact Fit2You. If you’d like to enhance what you’re already doing contact Fit2You. Fit2You Fitness provides commercial, residential, in-home, and corporate health and wellness. Contact us about putting together your next corporate or residential wellness fair.

Now get up, get out, and get fit.

-BA
Fit2You Fitness, LLC

“If you’ve got it, flaunt it. If you don’t, get it with us.”