If I were to ask you what your metabolism is, what would you say? I bet you would answer, "The way my body burns calories." If so, you would be wrong. That's one of the key things your metabolism does. But I'm asking whether you know what it is.
Q: Why does my online workout program consist of just one day of pure cardio and four days of weight training? Although I love weight training, I've always thought it's the cardio that really helps a woman like me lose the weight. Why so little pure cardio?
A: Okay — I love dispelling this myth. Resistance training when done in circuits with cardio intervals is the best way to lose weight for the following reasons:
Everybody's always hating on their hips. Okay, they're a trouble spot for zillions of women around the world, but let's talk for a second about their GOOD qualities — yes, there are some. Your hips are one of the more complex joint and muscle groups in your body. Besides just being something to rest your hands on, your hips are immensely important for, well, motion in general!
When you're looking for a break from your usual treadmill routine, you might want to try an elliptical machine. They have some nice features: Most of them have a lot of variables built in, as well as movable handles you can use to work your upper body. Elliptical machines are especially good for people with knee problems, who find the workout to be a great cardio alternative to running because it's much easier on the joints.
Ever try to squeeze your feet into shoes that are one size too small just because you love the style? Doesn't work, does it? Well, maybe you can cram your feet into those shoes for the sake of a special evening, but you can't wear them all the time. They're just too uncomfortable!
Starving yourself with the goal of creating a physique that's contrary to your natural body type is a similar thing. You might get there for a month or two, but eventually your body will rebel.
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, has become a bit of a hot topic since Oprah's revelation of having "blown out" her thyroid gland. I can relate — the same thing happened to me. The truth is, thyroid problems are very common. It's estimated that 27 million Americans have some kind of thyroid imbalance, but less than half of them know it. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a hereditary condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid.
Do you do your cardio on the treadmill or the elliptical machine? How about trying a little of both? Does the thought scare you a bit? Most people like to stick to one machine for cardio, but I want you to change your mind-set. To reach your fitness goals, you have to let go of that all-or-nothing mentality. And let's face it — eventually, you'll need more than one cardio option.
Believe it or not, your muscles do not get stronger during your workout; it's after the workout that they grow and develop. Intense strength training places huge demands on your muscles. To adapt to those demands, your muscles need adequate recovery time to rebuild and get stronger. As important as it is to stay the course and not get lazy, it's just as important to know when to cut yourself a break so you don't burn out, and your body has a chance to process all of the work you're doing.
After you work out, do you have the feeling that you can do anything? Well, you're not alone. That "runner's high" (which is actually triggered by any form of exercise, not just running) comes about because exercise floods your body with endorphins. These helpful biochemicals lift your mood and stimulate the release of another important hormone that affects your metabolism: human growth hormone (sometimes called HGH). This hormone is something we all want, and lots of it.
Q: What size dumbbells should I be using — 5-pound, 10-pound? What's a rule of thumb for how much to start with, when to move up, and so on?
