Lifting weights is one of the best things you can do for your body, so why are so many women fearful of incorporating it into their wellness routine? Whether your goal is to lose weight, tone up, or get stronger, weight work is a proven and healthy way to help you get there.
So instead of being fearful of weights, here are four reasons why you should hit the gym and start lifting.
You won’t bulk up
There’s no need to be afraid of bulking up or gaining weight from too many CrossFit classes or intense, weight-based workouts. Burr Leonard, founder of The Bar Method, does note that you might see some temporary bulking along the way as your physique changes with weight work, but it shouldn’t be a concern. Your newly forming shape is likely a fast fading result of muscle growth or swelling.
You’ll become more confident
Visible toning is one of the most encouraging effects of dedicating yourself to a weight lifting routine. Plus, your muscles will use your body’s energy reserves to repair itself, which can actually help you reach your weight loss goals. Kelsey Wells from My Sweat Life reminds us that what the scale says is less important than feeling confident about your healthy body. “I have never had more muscle and less body fat than I do now. I have never been healthier than I am now. I have never been more comfortable in my own skin than I am now,” she says.
Your overall health will improve
Lifting weights can help you strengthen specific body parts that’ll alleviate pain in other places, such as strengthening your core to take pressure off of your lower back. Being fit benefits your overall health by encouraging good bone health, decreasing the risk of heart disease, and achieving better sleep.
You’ll appreciate what your body can do
Lifting weights will add muscle to your frame, which is super helpful for reaching strength, fitness, and healthy weight loss goals. Whether you’re lifting heavy weights or tackling a high-rep, low-weight challenge, you’ll quickly appreciate and start to focus on what your body is capable of, instead of dwelling on what it looks like.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
