After a year of working out - strength training, aerobics - and testing several eating plans to lose weight, I finally dropped those stubborn 10 pounds, lost inches where it counted, and gained muscle definition.
And here's the BUT - I work out in an LA Fitness facility and kept seeing those "change up your workout" messages running across the screen. I suppose the point is to use their training staff and get help with your workouts. That costs $$$.
I decided it would be interesting to try out new fitness routines designed for women. The theory is that over time, your body gets used to the same old workout routine and stops building muscle and losing weight.
I always turn to the experts for help - in this case, a book written by a nutritionist, a fitness guru, and a fitness journalist and promoted as a breakthrough fitness and diet plan for women.
The workouts are strength training routines - two routines alternate, last from 6 to 8 weeks and then change completely for the next 6 - 8 weeks.
The diet plan, based on the most recent research, is based on building muscle (losing weight happens as you gain muscle). It's not radical at all; in fact it makes sense if you can tolerate milk products (not for me, more on this topic in future posts).
In fact, the entire plan focuses on building muscle, a GOOD thing for aging boomers.
Want to get out of the chair without groaning? How about bypassing a nursing home future because you don't have the strength to take care of yourself?
The fitness routines for women are spelled out in great detail and you can always make adjustments. For example - if you don't want to learn how to do a squat with a weight bar across your shoulders (you really need a spotter to do this correctly), then do squats with dumbbells.
The point is to get away from super light weights (Barbie dumbbells as shown in the picture to the right) and tax your muscles by gradually lifting more weight.
Growing muscles is the goal. And no, women CANNOT build huge muscles. It's not hormonally possible (unless you're into steroids).
I started from the beginning routines and am not finding the first routines difficult.
And here's the BUT - I work out in an LA Fitness facility and kept seeing those "change up your workout" messages running across the screen. I suppose the point is to use their training staff and get help with your workouts. That costs $$$.
I decided it would be interesting to try out new fitness routines designed for women. The theory is that over time, your body gets used to the same old workout routine and stops building muscle and losing weight.
I always turn to the experts for help - in this case, a book written by a nutritionist, a fitness guru, and a fitness journalist and promoted as a breakthrough fitness and diet plan for women.
The workouts are strength training routines - two routines alternate, last from 6 to 8 weeks and then change completely for the next 6 - 8 weeks.
The diet plan, based on the most recent research, is based on building muscle (losing weight happens as you gain muscle). It's not radical at all; in fact it makes sense if you can tolerate milk products (not for me, more on this topic in future posts).
In fact, the entire plan focuses on building muscle, a GOOD thing for aging boomers.
Want to get out of the chair without groaning? How about bypassing a nursing home future because you don't have the strength to take care of yourself?
The fitness routines for women are spelled out in great detail and you can always make adjustments. For example - if you don't want to learn how to do a squat with a weight bar across your shoulders (you really need a spotter to do this correctly), then do squats with dumbbells.
The point is to get away from super light weights (Barbie dumbbells as shown in the picture to the right) and tax your muscles by gradually lifting more weight.Growing muscles is the goal. And no, women CANNOT build huge muscles. It's not hormonally possible (unless you're into steroids).
I started from the beginning routines and am not finding the first routines difficult.
FYI - Here's the book link:
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