My New Happy: Don't Fight The Weight(s)

Monday, June 2, 2014

Don't Fight The Weight(s)


I am constantly fighting my weight, and I think we're on round 823 by now.  I blame my children. Yes, they've heard me say it, and no, they don't care - they're boys.  Enough said.  Due to several complications during pregnancy that turned into chronic health issues, I take some medications that slow my metabolism down.  To glacier pace.  Sigh.

As I've gotten older, the weight is winning more rounds.  How can it take a week to lose a pound and one delicious dinner - and/or 10 chocolate chip cookies - to gain it back? That's cosmic unfairness right there.

However.  In the last two months I have lost eight pounds and gone down one size, and so far those pounds seem to be lost in Siberia and haven't come back. 

The change has been weight training.

I know, I know, I fought weight training for years too.  I was aware that I should be doing it.  I bought dumb bells and looked up a few workouts online, and once every few weeks I got everything out and said, "see, I'm doing it".


I already do lots of cardio.  I've talked about my love for Zumba, and I also exercise with the Tae Bo crew and walk and hike a lot.  But I have noticed in the last few years that I don't have the strength I used to.

A few months ago I decided that I needed to stop focusing so much on exercising to lose weight, and make it more about being healthy and strong.  I knew that actual weight training had to factor in to that.  

This weekend I talked to my friend Nasca, a personal trainer, about the importance of working out with weights.  She told me that the biggest benefit at my age is increasing bone density, which inhibits osteoporosis.  Building your muscle mass raises your metabolism, and the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn 24 hours a day. I'm all for burning more calories while I sit here and blog.  

Nasca also pointed out that muscles look prettier than fat :).  Can't argue with that!  If you're worried about getting bulky, she told me that it's physically impossible for women to bulk up (well, unless you use steroids - but you're on the wrong blog for that).  She said that the heavier weights she lifts, the smaller and more sculpted she looks.  And trust me, she's small, gorgeous AND sculpted!  I actually kind of hate her :).

Now that I've convinced you, (wait, I haven't convinced you?  Go back and read the paragraphs above again), how do you get started?  I've been using Jackie Warner's DVD's at home.  They are easy to follow and I get a great workout.  Nasca suggests going to a local gym and getting to know the machines - read the directions on each one first.  Or even better, get a trainer! Nasca has lots of tutorials and videos on her website, Leanguns, that can get you started on the basics.  You don't even need fancy equipment or dumb bells.  You can use things you already have around the house (think canned food), or just use your own body weight as resistance.


For two months I've been doing weight training three days a week, and I do feel stronger and healthier.  I've lost those eight pounds, and I swear I saw a muscle on my upper back when I was drying my hair the other day!  From now on, in my fight with my weight, I won't fight the weights.

32 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your accomplishment, not only in weight loss but also as a commitment to health! Your post is coming at a good time for me...I am also finding that my metabolism has changed in my 40s. I've just started to reintroduce myself to our local gym and weights. I will have to check out Nasca's site.

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    1. Hey I just turned 40 also!! whoop whoop. I'd love to help in any way I can;)
      Nasca

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    2. Hi Holli - it's good to see you :) Nasca has some great, easy to follow videos!

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  2. Go go Lana! Because I have high cholesterol level...I need to do a lot of weight training too and I'm convinced of the benefits both physiologically & aesthetically!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  3. I've been weight training in a group fitness class since November. Even though I have to force myself to go, I always feel better afterward. I think building/maintaining muscle is really helpful as we get older!

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    1. Group classes are great for keeping yourself motivated. I go to Nasca's class once a week.

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  4. I love weights. I am so pissed off that my compression injury took me out of the gym for 3 months and I lost all the progress I'd made on weight loss and strength. Starting again next week.

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    1. Sorry to hear about your injury. Hope you're able to start back soon!

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  5. Thanks Lana babe!!! & yes, I seam to have a love hate relationship with all my clients. They hate how sore they are once in a while, but they love how I make them look..hehehehehehe

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    1. I don't really hate you :) But...I probably will tomorrow after class!

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  6. That's awesome!! I am battling the same thing right now but the good news is that I actually like weight training... you're convincing me to go back!

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    1. Weight training is fun once you get the hang of it! Glad I could help :).

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  7. I can completely relate! I have Cerebral Palsy and also take medications that slow my metabolism and make me hungry (yay - NOT). I also have mobility issues so the range of exercises I can do is limited. Zumba is out of the question, but walking is cardio for me. If what you're saying about weight training is true I just need to bench press a Fiat 500 and I'll look amazing ;-)

    Alicia
    spashionista.com

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    1. Okay, that made me laugh! I'm going to tell Nasca we need to get some heavier weights! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  8. Lana< I have been lifting heavy for many years and I am always preaching the very same thing as your friend to everyone! Lift weights rock!

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    1. Thanks for the thumbs up. I'm slowly working my way up to heavier weights.

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  9. I highly recommend doing what I started about a year ago...we have a group of six ladies, all about the same ages, and we split the cost of a trainer two days a week. It is great for accountability. Early on there were days I really wanted to quit, but kept going because I knew it would cost more for them if I bowed out! We have fun too.

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    1. What a great idea! It always helps to have someone else you are accountable to.

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  10. Thank you for this motivation Lana! I used to do an exercise tape involving weights every day (and it showed) - but an injury derailed those efforts and I have never gotten back to it. But this is motiving me. Not today, of course, cause I have too much to do ... Tomorrow!! (I hope!)
    PS Congrats on sending those pounds to Siberia - and in just 2 months!

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  11. Hi Lana, that is great that you are doing the training and lost 8 lbs. you mut feel great.
    Julie

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  12. Your post is just what I needed to read. Like you I have struggled on and off with weight. I had a hip injury that took me out for some time but I seem to get motivated then things come to a screeching halt.
    I am planning to get my Jillian Michaels DVD's out and use them tomorrow.
    Thanks for the great post.

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    1. Thanks Kathy. Sorry to hear about your hip injury. I appreciate you stopping by & commenting.

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  13. I know I need to do this. I used to do some with my bootcamp...it was probably enough, but I blew it off this entire school year. How bad is that? I've already decided I need to go back this fall, and in the meantime, I am going to start doing some pushups and some other things I used to do in that class.

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    1. I've always wanted to try a bootcamp, but I've been a little intimidated. Maybe I'll look into it!

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  14. Wow - you have so much motivation - I'm far too lazy! I have just started to work in retail part-time and the constant running around and lifting things definitely makes me feel fitter haha :)

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    1. I used to work in retail too, and it's exhausting. Definitely plenty of exercise doing that job!

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  15. Congratulations Lana! I love that you changed your mindset about just losing the weight and have focused on being healthy and having a full body workout that includes weight training. Soon you will probably see more pounds being shredded off. I also rarely use the weights machine in our gym, maybe it's high time I check them out!

    - Karen
    www.MrsLookingGood.com

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    1. Thanks Karen. I didn't think I would like weight training, but I'm really enjoying it!

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