Don't believe these 5 myths [fitness]

You can't believe everything that you hear when it comes to fitness. Not if you want to see results.

There are 5 bogus rumors going around about strength training that will derail your results if you let them.

The truth is that strength training is one of the absolute best things you can do for your health and appearance. And if you've fallen for these 5 myths then you're missing out on tremendous potential results.

Myth #1 Muscle Turns Into Fat

Why would anyone want to build muscle if it could morph into fat after a span of disuse? Rest assured that this is a myth of the highest order.

Muscle tissue is muscle tissue. Fat tissue is fat tissue. One will never become the other.

Myth #2 Strength Training Doesn't Burn Fat

On the contrary, muscle mass is your number one ally against fat gains.

A pound of muscle burns 10-20 calories each day, while you're just living and breathing. Regular strength training helps you increase your muscle mass as well as preserve existing muscle mass, turning you into a fat burning machine.

Myth #3 Lifting Weights Makes Women Bulk Up

Yes, strength training increases the amount of muscle on your body; so many women take this to mean that their body will become body-builder-esque, which is quite the look you're going for.

The truth is that the female body simply doesn't contain high enough levels of testosterone to produce that level of results without a very focused and dedicated effort.

The tighter, toned figure of a recreational female weight lifter is every bit feminine.

Myth #4 Strength Training Is For Young People Only

Ha, that's a used-up excuse that senior citizens across the globe have shattered.

Assuming that your doctor has given you the OK, you have much to gain from a regular weight lifting routine.

Improved balance and coordination, better strength and flexibility, and a decreased risk of osteoporosis are just the beginning.

Myth #5 Use Light Weight and High Reps To Tone

This myth, popularized in the 90's, that very high repetitions of very light weights would result in a toned physique, has become outdated. These high repetitions will increase your muscular endurance but will not add strength or tone.

We now know that in order to truly challenge your muscles, heavier weights with lower repetitions are a must. Start with an 8-10 repetition range and push your muscles with each set.

Including strength training as a part of your fitness routine is essential for achieving a fit and toned body.

My custom-made fitness programs remove all of the guesswork for you. I know what works, and I make it my mission to see you reach your goals.

Call or email today and we'll get you started on the program that's best for you.

6 Best Exercises For Your Booty

Here's the email that you've been waiting for – everything you need to know to shape up your booty in time for swimsuit season.

Here are the 6 Best Exercises for Your Booty:

BEST Booty Exercise #1: LUNGE
An amazing exercise that targets the muscles of your butt, thighs, and hips is the lunge. Putting one foot out in front of the other, lower your body toward the ground, keeping your abdominals tight and your torso straight. Lower until the front knee is bent at 90 degrees and not extended past your toes. Stand back up and then extend the opposite leg and bend. Perform 10 repetitions. For an increased workout, hold dumbbells in each hand.

BEST Booty Exercise #2: HIP LIFT
A great exercise to work your glute muscles is the hip lift. To do this exercise, lie on the floor with your back flat, knees bent, and feet resting on the ground. While keeping your arms at your sides on the floor, lift your bottom and lower back off of the floor. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly lower yourself. Repeat. To work your muscles even more, lift a leg in the air when you raise your bottom off the ground. Lower yourself and then repeat, lifting the other leg.

BEST Booty Exercise #3: BANDED SHUFFLE
This is a great exercise to get your heart pumping and work your buns. To do this exercise, you'll need an elastic sports band. Stand up straight with your legs hip-width apart and tie the band around your lower legs. Squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor, your back is straight, and your abdominals are tight. While in this squatting position, take several steps to the left, then several to the right. You may need to use your arms for balance, but your butt muscles should feel a workout.

BEST Booty Exercise #4: LEG LIFT
To do a leg lift, lie on your side and prop yourself up on your elbow. Raise your top leg slowly into the air, as high as you can, so your legs make a "V" shape. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly lower your leg. Repeat 10 times, turn onto the other side, and lift the other leg.

BEST Booty Exercise #5: RUN OR WALK
Running or walking outside or on the treadmill are other great exercises that work your butt while giving you a cardio workout to burn fat at the same time. Make it your goal to exercise 30 to 45 minutes at least three times a week, including walking or running each time.

BEST Booty Exercise #6: PLIE SQUAT
Another form of squat is the plie squat. This is the exercise to add definition and shape to your butt. Start by standing with your legs slightly more than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointed out to the sides. This is what ballerinas call the plie position. For balance, hold your arms in front of you. While keeping your back straight, slowly squat to the ground until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Hold this for five seconds and stand back up. Repeat 10 times.

Burn, Baby, Burn! These 6 exercises are excellent ways to burn extra fat off your booty while adding the definition you desire. Not used to working your gluteal muscles? You'll definitely feel the burn the first few days, but the end result will be worth the effort!

Please resist the urge to let past failures get you down. I don't care how many times you've tried and failed to transform your body – and you shouldn't either. What matters is that you're motivated NOW, so let's grab that momentum and get moving!

The one and only way to reshape your body (and your booty) is with a combination of cardio exercises, a healthy diet, and the right resistance workouts targeted for the butt and thighs. This is the winning combination that will see you through to your goal.

If you're serious about transforming your body then call or email today to set up a consultation with me. Together we will create the perfect program that will quickly get you into the body that you deserve.

Don't wait! Let's get started today...

4 MUST-HAVES in every meal

 

This may be the most important message of the year regarding your eating plan for 2014.

If you use these 4 strategies with every meal, I guarantee you'll have an amazing physical transformation this year...

1) Pay attention to the cooking method
The way a meal is cooked determines how many calories, how much added fat, and the number of nutrients that survive. This simple factor will make or break your weight loss goal.

Avoid foods prepared like this:

• Fried and battered
• Processed and packaged
• Doused with cream sauce
• Sauteed

Choose foods that are prepared like this:

• Grilled
• Baked
• Broiled
• Steamed

2) Your meal should be mostly protein
The bulk of your calories should be coming from a quality source of protein. With the first guideline in mind, these will be high quality, healthfully prepared.

Good choices of protein include:

• Fish
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Egg
• Lean red meat
• Beans

3) Include lots of fiber
Fiber is a huge part of eating healthy and being lean. Fibrous foods will fill you up while delivering vitamins and nutrient in low-calorie packages. Fill at least two thirds of your plate with fibrous vegetables.

Try these forms of fiber:

• Salad
• Seasonal vegetables
• Fruit
• Legumes

4) Lay off the starches
Here's where many well-meaning dieters lose it. The facts are simple, in order to maintain the low-carb, high protein diet required for healthy weight loss, there is no room for starchy foods.

Starches to Avoid:

• Potatoes
• Pasta
• Rice and cereal
• Bread and crackers

For faster results, pair your clean eating with a challenging exercise routine.

If you're serious about transforming your body then call or email today to set up a consultation with me. Together we will create the perfect program that will quickly get you into the body that you deserve.

Don't wait! Let's get started today...

For additional information, please contact Fit for Life Personal Training at (770)321-4550 or visit at www.fitforlifeatlanta.com.

Ty Jones-Fitness Specialist
4950 Olde Towne Parkway
Marietta GA 30368
Suite 119
(770)321-4550
ty@fitforlifeatlanta.com