Originally uploaded by dr.coop
I know. I’ve said it before, and evidently I must be right since that post is the most popular post on this blog. Weight training is the way to lose weight. It might be just mental, but I swear my core temperature is higher right now, and all I’m doing is sitting at this computer. I feel this way because I did a really hard weight lifting session this morning, and I feel like I could lay down and take a nap. But my engine is running hot.
So what’s going on in the body after a weight workout?
A number of recent studies suggest that vigorous weight lifting exercise may elevate calorie burning above usual resting values for several hours after exercise. However, the average person at the gym who rests for several minutes between sets of exercise will likely not experience a prolonged elevation of postexercise energy expenditure.
From Elizabeth Quinn
So that muscle that you are building while lifting weights is helping you burn calories all day long. Quinn says that “it is estimated that each pound of muscle burns about five-10 calories per day while at rest.” So to lose weight, you have to build muscle and lose the fat. The scary part, however, is that muscle weighs more than fat, so when you first start lifting and working out, you may actually gain weight because you are replacing fat with the heavier muscle. That makes sense.
If you’re worried about looking like the incredible hulk if you lift weights, fear not. It just “ain’t” possible! Most women just don’t have enough testosterone to build that kind of bulk. If anything, you’ll look stronger and more fit by lifting weights. Ooh, I can’t wait.
Today I did Weight Workout I & II because I missed last week. WW I & II are upper body workouts covering Chest, Back & Rear Delts, Shoulders, Arms & Abs. Although I always seem to skip the abs. I guess I’m that average person Quinn was referring to that rests a few minutes in between each exercise because it took me an hour including my 10 minute warm up. I usually do 3 sets of 10 reps for each exercise. Exercises are listed on the Weight Training page. I’m almost back up to my weights listed. Next time.
Week 3 Diet- (Week 3, Day 2)
