5 Ways Lifting Weights Makes You Lose Weight

Before we get started I just want to discredit any myth that women lifting heavy weights will get big and bulky. Women don’t have enough testosterone to get “big”! If you see a woman that is masculine looking and bulky, chances are that she’s taking extra testosterone to get that big.

1. The ultimate fat burner. You may have been told that cardio is the ultimate fat burner, but that effect stops the minute you hop off the treadmill. Build more muscle and you’ll keep your body burning fat all day long. According to one study, adding just two sessions per week of heavy lifting can reduce your body fat by three percent without cutting calories.

2. You’ll look more toned and defined. No one wants to be “skinny fat”. Lifting heavy weights will make you so that you’re skinny and defined.

3. You’ll absolutely burn more calories. During the 24 hours after your weight lifting session, you will continue to burn 100 more calories, by not doing anything. That’s like 10 minutes on a treadmill that you don’t have to run.

4. You’ll lose belly fat. A University in Alabama study found that the women who lifted weights lost more deep belly fat than those who just did cardio. This not only helps you lose your belly pooch, but also lessens your risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and some cancers.

5. You’ll prevent injury. Strengthening the muscles surrounding and supporting your joints can help prevent injuries by helping you maintain good form, as well as strengthening joint integrity.

Are you cardio obsessed

Are you cardio obsessed? Are you killing yourself with cardio, when you only need to lose 10-20 lbs? Let me teach you something. 

One of the BIGGEST misconceptions I run into with women is they think to lose weight, they need to do cardio, cardio, cardio, and only light weights with lots of repetitions. They get down to their last 10-20 lbs and the weight isn't coming off like they would like, and they are running faster, longer, using treadmills, elliptical's, etc.

Let me tell you something… When you start to shift your mindset… From over doing cardio, to lifting weights, and REALLY lifting weights (I mean ONLY 8-12 reps and even to get there, You often need 1-2 breaks to keep your form really good), that is when your body will change. That is when you will get that defined look you had always wanted but could never figure out how to get!

Get to the gym or use a program at home (my favorites for teaching heavy weights that produce awesome results are ChaLEAN Extreme, Body Beast, P90x, Les Mills Pump) and LIFT HEAVY! Challenge yourself so much that you can't get through your set in your Body Pump Class… Where you have to take BREAKS! That means you are challenging those muscles enough that they are fatiguing faster. Muscle endurance is good and important to add in, but helping those muscles reach fatigue at a lower rep count, will help you build lean muscle, and get the defined look you're wanting. Cardio is important too, but most women have that part down 

If you want to be toned and defined, start lifting heavier weights! And if you need help choosing a program to do from home, Message me! I can help match you up with a program that best fits your goals! <3