Sunday, March 20, 2011

Women and Hormones


According to the National Center for Health Statistics in 2010, approximately 12% of adult women weight train and approximately 15% exercise regularly. Women gain about 2 pounds per year between the ages of 35 and 55 and lose about 5 pounds of muscle each decade between 45 and 65. Why? Hormones. Did you know that estrogen is a fat storage hormone and testosterone is a strength building hormone? This is why it is safe to use weight equipment ladies because we do not naturally have enough of the strength building hormone to create big muscles like the guys do. With testosterone, men are able to lose weight seemingly quicker when they are focused and on track. Don't hate them, just put your time in and work. Along with a healthy diet, nothing changes the body composition more than strength training using your own body weight, hand weights or machines.

Another very important fact is that during the post ovulation stage of the month, most women burn an extra 200-300 calories but don't realize this until they reach menopause (especially if they have not been exercising). Ladies, we have a cycle for almost 35 to 45 years of our lives. When it stops, we also stop burning those extra 200-300 calories that has burned every month for 35 to 45 years. Ah, so that's why either you have experienced or seen someone put on a few pounds as menopause approached and landed. Consequently, you have to start exercising with strength training and change how you eat to account for those calories that are no longer being burned naturally by the body.

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