subject: Strong Women Are More Youthful [print this page] Researchers at Tufts University created world-wide news recently when the results of a strength training program for women was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. After just two workouts each week for 12 months the women's bodies were 10-20 years younger looking and functioning.The women became stronger and in most cases stronger than they had ever been even when they were younger. They recovered bone mass helping to ward off osteoporosis without having to take drugs. They became leaner, firmer, slimmer and trimmer without changing their diet. What is more, the women were so invigorated and energized; they became one third more active in their general everyday lives. No other activity, exercise, diet or medication has ever achieved equivalent results.Many people believe the negative changes that happen as we get older are an inevitable part of the aging process However, we now know we cannot blame it on the passing years and that physical inactivity is a major contributing factor. Yet it is one for which we can do something to prevent and even reverse these unwelcome changes.The fact is it is the absence of muscle strengthening and maintaining activity that causes the body to grow old quickly and accumulate excess fat more easily. Strength training exercise is the key to women to hold off the aging process, feel younger and have more 'get-up-and-go'. If you want to stay young and get into the best shape of your life, you have to begin and continue to tone up your muscular system and keep it toned and strong.Improving your body composition (muscle/fat ratio) is a key component of enhancing your overall fitness and weight loss goals. Muscle tissue is highly active metabolically; this means it needs fuel (calories) to maintain itself. Even when you sleep your muscle tissue is responsible for more than 25 percent of your calorie use. Adding a mere 1-2 pounds (you will not even see it) of lean muscle tissue will increase your metabolic rate by approximately 7 percent per day. Think of the implications over the long term when 5-10 pounds of fat loss is accompanied by a 5 pound increase in lean muscle tissue. Your metabolism will not only be boosted your body's proportions will be smaller and more slender.Proper strength training exercise can rebuild and reshape your body like no other exercise can and you can drastically change the way you look for the better. Moreover it does not take too many weeks of consistent strength training exercise to notice results.Woman who consistently strength train report improved mental well-being, the ability to handle stress more effectively and sleep better all contributing to reduced anxiety and depression. They also reported increased self esteem, more confidence, energy and feeling happier with their appearance. Doesn't get any better than that does it?
