A very high percentage of the women who come to Freedom of Fitness, from the gym community, follow a calorically restricted, fat-free, high carbohydrate diet. While they are on their "diet", they do countless aerobic sessions per week and some sporadic, low intensity weight training sessions.
What is their main concern? They claim that, for their efforts, they simply can't get the fat off!
Ladies (and the guys, too), I've got a better combination for you! How about super-nutrition and hard, fast weight training to get you into great shape, instead of living on the "STAIR MONSTER" or the "DREADMILL"? Wouldn't it be terrific to get into the best shape of your life without daily cravings, overwhelming fatigue, and the loss of your lean body mass (muscle)?
Aerobic activity has been over-rated for reducing body fat. The bodybuilders have got the formula. Lets learn from them.
Most of these athletes follow a high protein, low fat, moderate carbohydrate diet and use weight training as their core exercise program. Aerobic exercise is not totally excluded, but is used as a secondary activity to weight training and is, usually, minimal. This combination allows the bodybuilder to increase lean body mass, recover from exercise and keep body fat at a "sensible" level.
Come contest time, aerobic training is increased to go that extra, low body fat, mile. Keep in mind that "stage ready" bodybuilders are expected to be at "extremely" low levels of body fat and they do not live in this condition year 'round.
In the off season, which is most of the time, the athletes that control their body fat levels do so with nutrition and resistance training, primarily.
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
Studies show that for every pound of muscle you add to your body, you burn 30 to 50 calories per day, at rest. In other words, add five pounds of body-shaping muscle to your physique and you increase your caloric expenditure by up to 250 calories, daily!
Weight training also stimulates growth hormone, the most powerful fat burning hormone in your body!
And, as far as aesthetics go, you can actually re-shape your body, something that happens only to a very minimal degree on an aerobics program.
"In terms of cardiovascular endurance and heart health, the value of aerobics is obvious, but it is not the key to retaining youth and staying slim," says Jeff Everson, former editor of Muscle & Fitness Magazine.
So, look towards a balance of nutrition, resistance training and a reasonable amount of aerobic activity to achieve that lean, tight physique, you have wanted for so long!
For more information on the fat burning benefits of the bodybuilding lifestyle, call
Sandra Blackie at (858) 273-4151 or visit our website at www.freedomoffitness.com.
