The more the muscle, the more you metabolize...

Women are right, it is unfair that they have to do more and get less out of it. We are of course talking about exercise and weight loss. What did you think we were talking about? Muscle mass does contribute to the amount of calories you can burn and in this particular instance, BIGGER is BETTER! but also consistency is the key to get your metabolism up to a steady pace where you do burn off more of that lunch. Doing exercise in spurts or irregularly just taxes the heart and does nothing to develop a rhythm with your metabolism which will keep you burning off the fat more efficiently like a finely tuned automobile. Punching the gas peddle at the stoplight or filling an occasional tank of gasohol (we had it in our time), will only wear out much needed parts and unbalance the body and wreak havoc as you time wears on and we get older. Caution and maintenance today leads to a future with less pain and a better quality of life.

Ok so now you want to exercise, but don't want to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger? Thought I couldn't spell that right now didn't you? Well, that is what Google is for, silly. When you exercise, do high repetitions no more than 30 second breaks between sets. Always go higher repetitions instead of heavier weights. Direct your routine on leg and abdominal (stomach) exercises because these are problem areas for women. Work out periods should be at least 20 to 30 minutes a day for 4-5 days a week (more is fine also, don't carry a stopwatch or stop sign). If you want a killer body symmetry then work shoulder and upper back exercises, this gives your body that hourglass look. If you can get a consistent schedule of exercise (can't make the gym, do something at home) the idea is it has to be consistent without skipping too much because consistent exercise brings your body metabolism up and this is all important to process what you put in your mouth daily.

You don't want to think you have to exercise today or that today is my free day because this makes exercising something you don't want to do. Just simply look at all of this as a daily routine in your life and the longer you do it, the easier it gets. Eventually it becomes your habit and you don't have to think about it anymore. Diet and exercise is always harder in the beginning because you are comparing yourself with how you are now and how you want to be and thinking about whether you can do it or not and whether it is all worth it. You should not focus on your progress, just focus on your goal. Don't think about it as doing the choir to reap the benefit, just do it with no labels, a part of everyday life, a new lifestyle which will bring you better health that age slowly takes away from you. It's all about obtaining the balance of life and where there is balance, there is peace, joy, and just a feel good energy around everything you do and everywhere you go.

No time for consistency in a life of chaos and instability? Can't make it to the gym 4 days a week or can't spend an hour out of your hectic and tightly scheduled life? then Incorporate! how about weighted walking shoes which you do most of your walking in or taking the dog for a light after dinner jog, instead of a leisurely slow walk. Just adding more physical in your daily activity can make all the difference in the world. Got a TV show or news cast that you just must watch everyday? a stationary bike or treadmill in front of the TV can take multitasking to a higher and healthier level. When you don't have time for structured exercise, then unstructure your exercise and incorporate it into what you do already each and everyday. After all, how much time would you lose from a hospital stay from an unexpected heart attack or stroke. How much less life would you have to live, if those things turned out to be fatal? and how important is it to you to live a life of quality in health, rather than spend your final days in misery, pain, and suffering. How much is that worth to you really. For there is no price payable to regain what is already lost and regret is just more time spent on things we cannot change. Cest la Vie...