Odd Sympathy

I had been sedentary for some time. I decided it was time to get into shape. So I picked up a pair of weights. Someone told me that if you were going to lift weights, you needed to use heavy ones or it wouldn’t be worth your time. So I chose to lift the 10 lb. weights. I didn’t want to get too sore, so I only did about 20 reps for each exercise.

Three days later when I could move, I decided it was time to change my strategy!

So I tried my 5 lb. weights. I did fewer reps.

This time I wasn’t as sore the next day, but I still waited another day before picking the weights up again. Gradually I started to see definition. At first it was in my shoulders. I was feeling good and strong. I kept up this routine for about two months. Then I thought I would go on to 8 lb. weights. I was taking it slow and increasing weight and reps oh so slowly. I started noticing that I was able to do other things more easily. I could load the groceries and a 24 pack of soda into the car without the effort that it used to take. The store had a 24 pack of water on sale. I couldn’t believe how easily I lifted it up into my truck. That was about 15 years ago.

I have continued with my weights and am quite proficient at it now. I vary my routines and my weights. With the lighter weights I do more reps and with the heavier ones I do fewer reps. I am very pleased with the muscles I have developed in my arms. Of course I wasn’t satisfied with only developing muscles in my arms. I started working on muscle everywhere in my body.

I started doing lunges and working out on the treadmill and bike to maintain a healthy weight. I now have very muscular thighs and calves. They are not the body builder’s type muscle. It just looks like good definition.

The thing that amazed me was that it really didn’t take that much work to build muscle. All it took was consistency. I have found it much harder and longer to lose fat through aerobics alone. Little did I know that if you have muscle, you will burn calories more efficiently. It is really a win/win situation. If you build muscle, the rest of your body cooperates and tones up quite quickly. One important thing to remember–muscle weighs more than fat. Don’t get hung up on that number on the scale.

Look at the beautiful definition in your arms and legs. See how your clothes fit. Building muscle really can be a beautiful thing. As an added bonus the extra muscle has helped me to lose fat. I think if you’re looking to lose weight this may be how to lose weight fast without crazy dieting.

It’s the Tuesday after a long Holiday weekend and I’m ready to get back to work. I took the weekend off from the gym and unfortunately I ate horribly all weekend long as well as had a few too many drinks on Saturday night.

Now that I have put that behind me I’m ready to get back to working out and feeling normal. I’ve got to say that every time I do that to myself I feel awful so I am not quite sure why I do it again and again.

Today I’m going to work on the back and my triceps and top it all off with about 20 minutes of cardio. I had a long discussion with my wife about weight loss supplements for women and have come to the conclusion that she is probably better off not using them when you consider the high price tag.

Tomorrow we have a run planned on the beach. Our plan to to get in about three miles of jogging in the dense sand along the surf line. Running in the soft stuff in just so much more effort. Not that effort is bad but we do like to get at least a few miles of jogging to burn fat. The shorter and more intense distances just don’t have the same effect and running over slightly longer distances helps us to clear our head.

That’s about as far as planning has gotten us for the week so far. Wednesday will likely be a rest day and maybe Thursday as well because our schedule is pretty packed that day I don’t want to have to squeeze in another workout.

Oh and if you’re thinking about doing a little sand running then check this out. You might be surprised just how much more intense it is then on concrete or a track. You’ll probably have to try it to be convinced. I love the idea of running on the beach to clear my head though and that’s why I do exercise outside as much as possible. It’s way more effective for clearing my head than an elliptical with a television stationed in front of me.