The BASICS
Welcome to our new series on STRENGTH. I’m pumped, and after you learn a little more, you will be too 
As we dive in to our strength series, I feel it is my duty to regale you with a story….don’t fall asleep now.
The ALL Important WHY
If you have ever attempted any sort of goal at all, you’ve probably come across the question of WHY…or at least the theory that you NEED a why to get where you want to go.
I thought it might be helpful for me to share my WHY with you as we embark on this learning journey together.
As I write this, it is Mental Health Awareness Week. I get that sometimes these weeks and months can be overwhelming, but they are important reminders that there are far more important things to think about in life. It’s interesting to me that Mental Health Awareness Week falls during Breast Cancer Awareness Month……because those 2 things are the buttery bread to my WHY.
My mom died of breast cancer when I was just 17 years old, and had lived a life full of worry. She worried about her weight, she worried about others, she worried what others thought…..and she worried herself right out of an immune system to fight. I have struggled with severe depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. I was probably 5 years old the very first time I thought everybody would be better off if I just wasn’t here, and I attempted my own life twice by the age of 19.
BUT, I am here.
Side note: if YOU are still here, you have a definite purpose. Whether you know your purpose or not, I PROMISE that you do have one. Stay with the fight my friend.
So, my WHY encompasses the need to fight for my own life AND the calling to fight for those who think they no longer can.
This WHY is what eventually lead me to strength training.
I can wax on ALL DAY about how iron truly does sharpen iron and how blessed I feel to have found such a powerful thing in my life, but what I prefer to do is to educate others and help you find your passion for strength training.
Strength Training 101: The Basics you NEED to know.
What is strength training?
Let’s keep it simple: strength training is the process of placing a demand on the muscle fibers, tendons, ligaments and skeletal structure of the body so as to produce an adaptation that increases physical strength levels.
In other words: it is the process of lifting weight that requires a change in the human body, producing strength across the board.
Strength training changes you.
- It increases lean muscle mass
- Decreases fat mass
- Increases joint stability
- Increases bone density
- Improves cognitive function
- Improves coordination and balance
- Promotes better sleep
- Balances hormones
There’s a lot more to the benefits of strength training, but you may find yourself asking, “Why aren’t we ALL doing it?”
I ask that all the time
The reality of the situation is that many of us are confused when it comes to strength training. Couple that with the fact that we live in a WEIRD time of information overload where EVERYBODY and their dog has an opinion about health and fitness……it can be downright overwhelming.
The purpose of this new series to cut through the “suggestions” and stick to tried and true science.
Did you know that strength training has been studied more than any other form of exercise????
Scientist began studying strength training when the DIET industry began to take over the planet.
Why?
Because people who stuck to a pretty simply routine of strength training noticed fewer instances of weight rebound, inflammatory disease, cognitive decline, diabetes, etc. They are healthier.
How about you?
Would you like to lose the extra pounds and NOT gain them back?
Would you like to sleep better at night?
Would you like to have better balance and feel sharper in mind?
Pretty much an overwhelming YES, right?
I’m going to ask you to do something……BELIEVE. It’s important that you believe in your ability. You can learn something new. You can master your own mind. You can set aside the opinions of others. YOU CAN.
Commit yourself to digging deeper and learning more so you can make informed decisions as to what will work best for YOU.
Be determined to set aside theory and general hearsay.
Last, dig even deeper and discover some SELF DISCIPLINE and PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
We wonder why more people don’t stick to strength training programs and why they seem to be saved for only the elite. The fact is that these people ARE the elite because they have taken the RESPONSIBILITY and discovered their DISCIPLINE. These are the 2 things missing that make you feel as though you are always starting over.
So, are you in?
Are you ready to really learn what it takes to CHANGE your ENTIRE life?
I know it sounds corny, but I promise you won’t leave this series the same way you entered it.
What can you expect?
Increasing your knowledge base and applying these principles to your sessions will not only make you physically stronger, but it will also beef up your mental muscle as well. You’ll notice things don’t get under your skin so much AND that you feel better prepared for life. THIS is because of the magical addition of discipline and responsibility.
Each week I’ll be giving you some education on strength training through the blog. Here’s what you have to look forward to:
- Training the BIG 6: Movements to train for a healthier life
- Movement prep and Mobility work
- Foundational Strength
- Corrective exercise for injury prevention and treatment
- Set up for movement patterning
- Technique for the squat, bench press, dead lift, pull up, push up, and over head pressing.
You will be reading material AND I’ll have some videos and resources to help you retain AND use what you learn.
Every Friday you’ll get a FREE workout that you can add to your arsenal.
The best part?
It’s all RIGHT HERE on the BLOG!!!!! You don’t have to go anywhere else.
Now, IF you want to dive deeper, I suggest you join the Strong Bodies, Strong Minds Coaching Club (totally free) since I do send some special content out to them each month.
We are going to cap off the series with a very special LIVE event that will help you create an action plan to put everything you learn into play.
Here’s the question I pose to you:
How strong do you need to be for your life?
Trouble finding your WHY?
I have you covered.
Download your worksheet and get to brainstorming.
TOMORROW you will get a FREE WORKOUT FRIDAY specifically for strength. This will be a beginner friendly workout, using dumbbells
Hope to see you soon!
xoxo, Michelle
Ready to get started on a personalized strength training program?
Check out this CONSULT form and let’s get started!
The post Improve Your Quality of LIFT: a strength series appeared first on Michelle C Fitness.