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Weight Training Programs for Women - A Woman's Secret Weapon to Fight Fat
By Kate Street
July 2003
I remember the first time I was approached by a trainer in the first gym I ever went to. I was in the middle of my third mile on the treadmill when he said, "You know I see you working out so hard. I bet you'll get the results you really want if you start a weight training program." Can you guess my answer? I bet you can. Let's all say it together now, "But I don't want to bulk up!"
Yes, I was guilty of using that standard answer that gets me so fed up these days that I could scream. Back then I just wanted to "tone," I didn't want to "build muscle." Well, you know what (and pardon my impatience)? TONING is the EXACT same thing as BUILDING MUSCLE! There is NO difference! Let me say it one more time: Toning Is Building Muscle. Period!
My impatience is not toward you, dear reader and fellow woman, my impatience is aimed toward other so-called fitness experts. You know, the ones on all those infomercials that claim their new product or routine "will tone your body without building bulky muscles." These people capitalize on this common misconception that they know themselves not to be true. They feed on our insecurities while making only our wallets smaller, not our waistlines.
So before I go on, let's never be deceived into thinking that toning and building muscle are separate entities, they are one and the same. Let's all say it together, "Toning is building muscle." Well, thank god that trainer at my first gym didn't give up on me. After rolling his eyes at my response he took me through my first weight training program. And wow, I loved it!
It only took a couple of weeks of weight training to start seeing the much-sought-after results that had been eluding me all the previous years. I was building muscle! And contrary to what I had previously believed, my body wasn't getting bigger due to my new muscles, it was actually getting smaller! It was then I learned that muscle takes up 3 times less space than fat. And so my hard-earned muscle was also leading me into a well-earned new wardrobe.
Muscle also takes more energy to sustain - meaning that my body was burning more calories all the time (even at rest!) just by having muscle! My weight training program, in essence, was speeding up my metabolism! Also, I had always considered myself a weakling and to see myself progressively getting stronger was such a thrill and sense of empowerment.
Weight training, I finally learned, was the best and fastest way to burn fat, reshape problem areas, and fit into a smaller size. And calcium supplements aint' got nothing on weight training when it comes to fending off osteoporosis later in life!
I have to say that discovering weight training was probably the most magical time in my fitness journey. And I know how corny that sounds unless you've experienced yourself. And you can. Pick up a weight today and start building those beautiful muscles!
-Kate
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Article By Graeme and/or Kate Street ~contact info not valid, websites gone~ Graeme and Kate first met as personal trainers at the Bay Club in Portland Maine and started an In-Home personal training business and a fitness media production business together. Graeme graduated suma cum laud in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. Kate has a BA in Psychology and an MS in Health and Wellness. She holds over a dozen various fitness certifications, three through AFAA.
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