Let's Get Strong!
When you hear the word “strong,” what do you think?
Do you imagine the bulging muscles of an athlete or a superhero, or the lean, lithe body of a dancer? Or maybe your mind turns to thoughts of willpower, steadfastness, and power under the pressures of life.
Being strong is important on so many levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. I have so much to share about all of these categories, but today I am focusing on physical strength.
I know you are smart and you know what I’m about to say in your mind, but I’m going to go ahead and say it anyway. You need to hear it again, so listen up.
You are more than a number on a scale. Read that again. You are more than a number on scale. So much more! I have spent so much of my life trying to look a certain way or achieve a magic number on a scale. I always thought it would get me something or somewhere. All it did was cause me angst and anxiety.
If I can teach you only one thing, it is this: focusing on physical strength is so much more important than obsessing over your weight. I understand and recognize that those numbers can “track progress,” but better still is to be aware of your body and how you feel.
Instead of wondering how to lose weight, you can ask yourself:
Do I have energy?
Do I feel heavy and sluggish?
How do my clothes feel?
Paying attention and listening to our bodies helps us know what we need. That is true both for our body’s need for good nutrition and for the importance of strength training, especially as we age.
One area of focus should be your core because core strength is what helps keep women healthy and injury-free. Understand that your core is not just your back and abdominal muscles.
Your glutes and hips are also a part of the core. The glutes are the largest muscles in our body, and we must keep them strong. Think of your glutes as the steering wheel for your body as well as a stabilizer for your legs. Let’s get them good and strong to help reduce the risk of injury as time goes on.
Lastly, as we age, it becomes increasingly important to lift heavier weights. Bodyweight exercises are great for functional movement and certainly help keep us strong, but lifting heavier weights helps us build lean muscle mass, reduce subcutaneous fat and intramuscular fat, and build strong bones. Plyometric exercises also help build muscle and bone strength.
Do not be afraid of bulk. We should be more afraid of not having enough muscle.
If you are unsure about how to start a strength-training program, please let me know how I can support you. Meanwhile, check out a few exercises I like to do to build strength.
Let me leave you with these words from fitness coach Chrissy King:
“ If we make self-love or body acceptance conditional, the truth is, we will never be happy with ourselves. The reality is that our bodies are constantly changing, and they will never remain exactly the same. If we base our self-worth on something as ever-changing as our bodies, we will forever be on the emotional roller coaster of body obsession and shame. Chrissy King ”
Get off the roller coaster, my friends. Your body is beautiful. Make it strong, and every day will be a gift.
