Of all the choices we can make to stay healthy and well, the decision to include regular strength training in your exercise regime may be the most important.
Here are some very important reasons why you should get started on your strength training program today:
Increase Physical Capacity - Makes everything in your life easier. Nothing can help you lift the groceries, play with the grandchildren, and generally do all the things in life that you want to do like strength training. Without a well functioning mind and body our quality of life is greatly reduced.
Essential to Manage Body Weight - The only way you are ever going to lose excess body fat is if your muscles burn it as fuel. This can only happen if you raise your metabolic rate (the rate your body burns fuel). If you increase muscle tissue by only a kilo it will burn around 100 extra calories 24/7. You will only gain this extra fat burning muscle tissue with strength training, no other exercise or activity can do this.
Look and Feel Better - Because muscle tissue takes up less space than the same weight of body fat, strong active people look slimmer than their sedentary counterparts who weigh the same. As your muscles strengthen they are toned and uplifted giving your body shape, proportion and definition. Even if you don't lose weight on the bathroom scales, your body proportions will change and you will be trimmer. You will soon wear a smaller dress size or your pants will be looser and you will have to tighten your belt.
Build and Maintain Healthy Muscles, Bones and Joints - As your muscles strengthen, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissue also strengthens. Strong muscles also surround and protect joints. Bones are strengthened and bone density increased because muscles are attached to them, as muscles grow stronger through strength training the tension exerted on the bones increases making them stronger as well. One major benefit of this process is reduced risk of injury while performing everyday activities or while participating in sports.
Strengthen the Immune System - Not many people are aware that muscle tissue serves as the body's armor and defense against illness and disease. When the whole body's muscular system is strengthened the immune system is also strengthened. This disease proofs the body against life threatening diseases and illnesses that could shorten your life.
Medicine for the Mind - A sound strength training program not only strengthens the body but also strengthens the mind through increased "feel good" chemical production. This prepares and helps us to accept and overcome life's challenges. Blood flow to the brain is increased improving "mental fitness" which in turn leads to better memory, improved intellectual capacity and productivity. Just as you get more energy exercising, you also get happier, have a better outlook on life and enjoy life more. Stress is reduced and depression and anxiety are lifted. Strong, toned muscles improve self esteem and makes people ooze self confidence. .
The small amount of time each week that you spend on your strength training program to ensure that you experience a higher level of health and fitness will benefit you every hour of your day and night, awake and asleep in the years to come. Can you think of any other investment that would return so much from so little! There is no better win-win deal for you!
You are a busy executive that has been driving your professional career for years. You are a successful high performer living the incredible pace of the corporate life with its never ending time demands. Without enough hours in the day you have managed to juggle the highly stressful grind, long days, late hours and restaurant meals while trying to meet family obligations. This fast pace can make it difficult for you to fully realize your personal health and fitness potential. Yet having high levels of health, strength and stamina are critical components to achieving professional success.
How will you keep this warp speed pace up? How will you maintain a necessary balance in life to continue to be able achieve the personal performance your career, and you demand? An executive needs to be mentally sharp and agile in order to make good decisions quickly, all day long. Could you be doomed to be overweight, stressed out. ..and heading for health problems? So what then is the solution for the boardroom battlers?
Physical training that's what! Conditioning the body to a level that supports the mind giving it the opportunity to do what it needs to do. And not with just any old exercise, but intense strength training in the right doses at the right time with the right frequency.
Beyond slimmer waistlines and firm biceps, it's well documented that optimal strength levels will increase everything from energy and stamina, to mood and a general sense of well-being. If you don't have the strength and fitness to endure long days, arduous meetings and the typical daily grind, you will not be able to go the distance...whether that means closing the deal or making the sale.
When we are fatigued, we make poor decisions. Athletes don't just train so that they start their game in their best shape. They condition themselves so that in the last quarter of their game when others are falling by the wayside they are able to make good and fast decisions because their bodies and minds are still fresh.
By now you have learned to succeed by working smarter, not harder than the rest. No matter how much money you have made or how much success you achieve in life, what use is that if your life is cut short by some dreaded life threatening disease or illness.
After all the sacrifices you have made to get where you are today and the future goals you have for an active retirement can you afford not to take care of your most precious possession - your health.
If you don't have as much energy and stamina as you would like, perhaps increasing the intensity of your current exercise routine (or starting a new one) will give you the edge you need to help you perform at your peak.
Take the time to learn the skill of strength training exercise; your local gym would be the best place to start. Get proper instruction so you can get the best possible start and begin obtaining results right away. With the right workout program you will be able to keep functioning like someone half your age while maintaining the competitive edge in the business world.
Remember a happy, healthy life is what you're here for. Being a great leader comes an important second. So take the time to lead a healthful lifestyle to protect what you have achieved and ensure you will enjoy the fruits of all you have earned. Whether it is 5 or 25 years down the road make sure you will be ready.
Gen Wright has sinced written about articles on various topics from Terrier Dogs, Acne Treatment and Lose Weight. Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and regaining lost vitality and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!" here:. Gen Wright's top article generates over 1220000 views. to your Favourites.