Q. Why do I, a woman, need to lift weights?
A. You need to life weights precisely because you are a woman. When you build muscle by lifting weights, you tone both the muscle and the skin, ridding yourself of sagging and wrinkly skin.If your goal is to lose weight, the first thing you need to do is to lift weights and increase your muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the more energy you burn! Only muscles burn energy from the foods you eat. Fat, on the other hand, is inert.
When you build muscle, you protect bones and joints from injury, and you prevent and reverse osteoporosis, the thinning of the bones.
When you build muscle you develop energy and strength.
Weight lifting is also the best antidote to depression. Recent studies show that through weight training, results are quicker than through therapy!
Q. Will lifting weights bulk me up?
A. No. When you build muscle by lifting weights 3 hours per week, and at the same time cut the fat in your diet, you body actually shrinks because muscle is dense and takes less space in the body. A full THIRD less space!On the other hand, fat, being voluminous, takes 5 times more space in the body. The only way you can end up looking bulky, is if you lift weights like a bodybuilder, train up to 6 hours a day and lift hundreds of pounds. Your body will then look like a professional bodybuilder who trains for competition.
Q. How long will it take me to look like you?
A. Everyone develops at their own rate and according to their own body shape. Development depends on you dedication, motivation and willingness to work on all areas: training, nutrition, hydration, and relaxation to relieve stress and prevent injury.When I started, my body was shaped like a ruler: straight up and down! I had a big stomach and sunken chest. The first thing that changed, was my ruler shape. I did that by working my shoulders and chest muscles, which widened my shoulders and made my waist appear smaller.
Getting rid of my stomach was not easy, but I challenged myself to do it. I was sick of my belly! I started doing 100 crunches a day. Once that became easy, I did 200 a day. Then I started seeing results. From then I moved on to more advanced abdominal exercises such as hanging leg lifts. Since then I've gotten used to doing abs everyday. It's worth it!
Q. What can I do to motivate myself? I start an exercise program with enthusiasm and 2 months down the road I quit. I've done that all my life. Help!
A. To change a destructive habit we must change the thoughts that are programming that behavior. Negative thoughts can be changed by repeating affirmations over and over until the healthy habit has replaced the old, destructive one. This cannot be achieved in one day, week or even years, because we have to change a lifetime of negative programming and that takes time and dedication.I still practice my affirmations every day. By now I really believe them, so I don't have to repeat them to convince myself of what they say. Today I say them to reinforce what I already know to be true. My affirmations are: I am healthy, strong, powerful and wise. I love to exercise and eat healthy because my health is very important to me. It is the greatest gift I can give my two sons, a healthy and happy mother. I love my body, therefore I take very good care of it. We have a loving relationship.
Q. For how long will I have to repeat these affirmations?
A. As long as you believe exercise is a chore and not a gift and privilege. As long as you believe that vegetables have no taste. As long as you believe that you cannot give up those pizzas and cheesecakes. As long as you think that taking time to nurture yourself by way of exercise and meditation is silly. As long as you think that lifting weights will bulk you up or injure you. As long as you think that you are too old to change the shape of your body. As long as you think that taking time to nurture yourself means you are selfish. As long as you think that your job on earth is to take care of others, work 12 hours a day, and neglect your own needs. As long as you think that meditating is a waste of time. As long as you think that being fat and sluggish runs in the family so why bother. As long as you think you don't deserve to be beautiful.Q. Should I do your video every day?
A. You can work out every day, as long as you work DIFFERENT muscles. You can either do the whole body workout 3 times per week with a day of rest in between, or work out every day alternating between upper and lower body. The muscles need a day of rest in between workouts. During this time the muscle grows in size and repairs itself. To interfere with this process by working the same muscles every day is counter productive.