What did you (or do you usually) do on your 1st day of holiday??
Personally, I got up early (jetlag helped), had a workout (ok I’m a fitness addict) then went to the shops to purhase a set of dumbells for £20.
Yes that might sound a little crazy and not something YOU would perhaps do but here’s 7 reasons WHY I did and how it can help YOU.
1. Lose Body Fat
Weight training builds MUSCLE, as your lean muscle increases so does your METABOLISM.
A HIGHER metabolism means that you will burn more calories ALL day long.
Ehhhh yes please!!
2. Gain Strength without Bulking
One of the most common reasons women avoid weight training is because they are afraid of ‘BULKING’.
This is a MASSIVE misconception and women simply don’t have the testosterone to build muscle like men.
Women have 10 to 30 times LESS testosterone than men and have a much harder time gaining SIZE from strength training.
Instead women develop muscle DEFINITION and STRENGTH without the size.
Sexy, lean and toned? – Pass those weights!
3. Decrease Risk of Osteoporosis
Weight training not only strengthens MUSCLES, it strengthens your BONES.
Weight training increases BONE DENSITY, which reduces the risk of fractures and broken bones.
An added to BONUS to looking and feeling a million bucks : )
4. Reduce Risk of Injury
Weight training also increases strength in CONNECTIVE TISSUE and JOINTS.
Strong joints, ligaments, and tendons are important to PREVENT INJURY and can relieve pain from osteoarthritis.
Strengthening muscles and connective tissue will make injury from daily tasks and routine exercise LESS likely, daily tasks EASIER and can even improve SPORTS PERFORMANCE.
Hmmm daily tasks made easier? – No brainer!
5. Burn More Calories
Weight training has been proven to raise your METABOLISM for up to 24 hours AFTER a workout.
The more INTENSE the workout the more calories are BURNED.
After an intense workout there is more EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption), meaning there is an increase in oxygen consumption, helping you break down FAT stores in your body.
Pretty cool when you have 14 days of being in a bikini, board shorts or simply less and tighter fitted clothing!!
Plus, I worked hard at my beachbody before I went on holiday, I’m not about to let it all that hard work be for nothing.
6. Improve Posture and Reduce Back Pain
Weight-training will STRENGTHEN your back, shoulders, and core, helping to correct BAD POSTURE so that you can stand TALLER, with shoulders back and spine straight.
A stronger back and core will also prevent LOWER BACK PAIN.
A hunched strut along the beach or around the pool, emphasizing the gut area is never a sexy look!
7. Enhance Mood & Reduce Stress
Exercise and weight-training release ENDORPHINS.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters that PREVENT pain, IMPROVE mood, and FIGHT depression.
An increase in endorphins naturally reduces STRESS and ANXIETY.
Endorphins also stimulate the MIND, improving ALERTNESS and boosting ENERGY.
Weight-training can BRIGHTEN your entire day or help you combat a bad one.
Wow, perhaps I’m not such a nutter after all?? lol.
If you’re on holiday somewhere where there’s a gym…
Make yourself a couple of 10 min HIIT workouts, grab those dumbells and GO.
No gym but near a sport shop – Go have a look (availability, cost, etc) we get totally ripped off here.
No gym and no sport shop – Bottle of water /sand are a good substitute.
And hey,
Want to know a super important tip if you workout, ESPECIALLY if you workout with weights?
Check it out:
Whether you at home or away…
Have a fantastic week!
Lee ‘call me crazy’ Donald x
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