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.