5 Reasons to Lift Weights

5 Reasons to Lift Weights

Have you ever had one of those “I reaaaaaaaly need to go for a run” moments (or hours)? They typically occur after days like yesterday – SuperBowl Sunday – when I ate a bunch of things that I would never normally eat. A few months ago, my oncologist suggested that rather than focus solely (or is it soul-y) on running or hiking, that I add weights to my workout repertoire.  I did an internal eye-roll (or actually maybe he saw it!) because I’ve never been a weights kinda gal.  I have always been worried that it would bulk me up Terminator style (btw, did you seeeeeeee the ad for the new Terminator movie-grandparent edition?  Quelle horror!!!). Anyhoo, my oncologist assured me that no, I wouldn’t bulk up. Rather, it would be an excellent way to convert fat (yes, he used the word fat) into muscle which not only looks better but – the BEST Silver Lining! – is that it will help reduce my risk of a recurrence.

Let me explain:  We have an enzyme in fat tissue (called aromatase). It changes fat into estrogen. In a gal like myself who had (love saying had) estrogen positive FBC, I do NOT want estrogen in my body!  Ok, so the less fat that I have the less estrogen that I have.  Make sense?

As if i needed another reason for not having fat, here are 5 other great reasons to spend more time lifting weights and less time doing cardio:

1. Muscles increase your metabolism. Regularly lifting weights promotes the growth of lean muscle mass and reduces your insulin sensitivity, which stimulates fat loss. Put it this way, the more muscle your body has, the more calories it will burn when you are at rest.

2. Setting personal records keeps you motivated. Personal records allow you to continually grow. When you surpass a previous record, whether its the amount of push ups or chin ups you can do, you are motivating yourself to keep reestablishing a new record. This instills a sense of pride and keeps you coming back for more because you now have a sense of purpose in the weight room. I’m still working on this one.  As I mentioned, I don’t want to get bulky, but I do want to get more lean. Ok, I guess THAT there is my motivation!

3. Being strong makes everything else easier. Exercising to be stronger, mobile, and fast makes being efficient at everyday tasks much easier. Moving furniture, carying multiple bags of groceries, lifting a heavy box onto the top shelf. It’s tasks like these that become much easier when you are physically stronger. I am already feeling stronger and I have to tell you that it makes me feel really happy!

4. Strength is a potent confidence booster. Physical strength contributes to strength of character, which in turn boosts confidence. The first time I was able to do 2 pull-ups in a row (yes, in a ROW!!!) I was amazed!! Just by lifting weights a few weeks for a few weeks I gained enough strength to do 2 full pull-ups! Yes, I’m patting myself on the back. When I left the gym that day I felt more confident then ever. I felt as if the strength I earned in the gym could be translated to my life outside of the gym, which was a great Silver Lining.

5. Weight lifting is efficient. As a mom, wife, and worker-bee I COMPLETELY understand that time is very valuable. There are days where I physically can’t dedicate an hour or so to excercise because of my other obligations. The Silver Lining is that weight lifting saves a lot of time because it is so efficient. You can get a very efficient work out in just 20 minutes. By speeding up the rate of intensity of your lift you actually gain more strength and lose more fat, which is quite a win-win!

Do you lift weights?  If so, how do you do it? Have you noticed a difference?