For all the
ladies who think you are going to lose your feminine looks by lifting weights,
I am here to tell you that it is a myth.
We simply do not have enough testosterone naturally to produce extreme
muscle mass. We do benefit from a firm
and tone look produced with weight resistance training and also taking into
consideration genetics we were blessed with in combination with a healthy
eating program. Our lean mass will provide more shape than anything else and
does it show after years of commitment?
The answer is yes, however it will not be substantial enough for us to
dash into a phone booth ready to jump out sporting our muscular superwoman
outfit. What will be noticed about a committed weight training program are
shapely arms, butt, legs and overall fit look and side benefits of feeling great
about the compliments received for those attributes.
I have
been lifting weights close to thirty years and do sport a lean muscular
physique but do not consider myself bulky.
What allows my muscle to show more is maintaining a lower body fat
percentage year round, however I keep that within a healthy range to not screw
around with my hormones. As a woman
entering menopause I understand the importance and health benefits of weight
bearing exercise. I enjoy the visual
results, but more important, I am making sure my bones remain dense and strong
during the decline of estrogen from menopause.
Weight training is prescribed to all women going through this phase and
to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and/or osteopenia. I am genetically lean thanks to my Dad and
that is just how I am built, but my body has also responded well to weight
training. Some may think I look bulky,
but if you met me in person, you would have a whole different opinion. Can I flex it up in images, well of course
and I have got the back lash of “she is too muscular”, but bulky is not a word
that can be used to describe my body.
