Who Says Women Can't Be Hot AND Strong?

When it comes to weight training for weight loss, women are afraid to try it because of this question: "But won't weight training make me bulky? I don't want to get big!" Many women shun the thought of strength training as an exercise option, believing that only common woman exercise practices such as zumba, aerobics, pilates, and yoga will help them drop the weight and get that lean, feminine physique. First of all, there’s nothing wrong with the aforementioned four types of workouts, but adding free weight training can produce absolutely amazing results and help you retain a fit body!  

Grandma a Cheerleader?

Yes!  A 55-year-old woman is attempting to fulfill a dream she had in her 20's:  to be a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader.  As a single Mom , she dreamt of being a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys but the timing was poor.  Now as a 55-year-old grandma, she competed against hundreds of other women last Saturday and is awaiting the results.  Sharon Simmons has been an actress, an author, a fitness competitor and has her own website.  Most recently at 50 she began competing in fitness competitions, winning nearly half of them, which led to fitness modeling.  Trust us when we say this woman looks great at 55!  No matter what you think of the cheerleading thing, those of us older gals should know that it is never too late to pursue a dream!

Save Money When Picking A Gym

Most of us at one time or another have desired to lose weight and get in shape.  Remember those New Year's resolutions?  But when we are on a budget, joining a gym can put a stress on finances and consequently seems like a lost cause.  There are ways to make smart choices in choosing a gym for less, as Andrea Metcalf explains.  Five important factors are key when selecting a gym to fit our needs.  We want to make sure if we are spending the money that we will use it!  Considerations include hours, proximity, and initiation fees to name a few.  When these considerations can come into balance, we win in more ways than one; physically, emotionally and financially!

Melt Belly Fat

Gone are the days in our teens where we had those enviable flat stomachs and didn't worry a bit about those hamburger and fries moments.  And we had older women telling us, "You just wait until you're my age!  You won't be able to eat like that anymore!"  And we didn't believe them.  We subconsciously thought our metabolisms were invincible and that their words of belly fat and weight gain warnings didn't exist.  Then we got older, we had our babies or not, but still, we got older.  And we continued to eat as we always had.  Then one day those jeans didn't snap as easily as they once had.  And they got caught on our hips, seemingly playing a dirty trick on us as we pulled, sucked it in and flat out hiked them up relentlessly, only to have them creep up once we did get them buttoned.  Belly fat.  Weight gain. No one is immune except for the anorexic fashion runway models.  Reality bites.

Personal Trainer

You've been coming to the gym religiously, going to fitness classes, doing cardio. You may even be weight training on your own. Yet you haven't seen the results you'd like. Or maybe you're bored. Maybe you need to "change things up" in your fitness routine. That's when you need a trainer!  Hiring a personal trainer isn't just for the overweight and out of shape. Even the most conditioned girl can benefit from a new fitness routine! Olympic and elite athletes alike have personal trainers. Consider it a challenge to have someone else, like a personal trainer, boss you around a bit and watch your body be transformed.

Cooler Hands for a Hotter Body

Getting motivated to actually get outside or to the gym is a challenge in itself.  And we are always happy we did it when we are finished.  The feeling we get when those endorphins kick in, leaves us feeling pretty good for the rest of the day. However, there are days when exercise is extra challenging, depending on the temperature and how much "extra padding" we are carrying around.  Studies show that women who exercise and get overheated easily will quit early or shun exercise altogether.  But there are ways to stay cool while getting that heart pumping and those muscles working.  A recent study shows that if we can even keep our hands cool, we will get much more out of our workouts, paving the way to a healthier heart and body we can be proud of!

When it's 90 degrees outside, you probably don't want to wear sleeves. Hotter weather means less clothes, and may lead some women to feel self-conscious about their arms and shoulders. If you are hesitant about showing your shoulders and arms off, there are certain shoulder exercises and arm exercises that can help tone and shape your shoulders. Andrea Metcalf has a few techniques for doing shoulder exercises and shoulder workouts right in your living room.

Make Getting Fit a Family Affair

We all know about the growing obesity epidemic in nations the world over. Perhaps the most disturbing prediction is that our kids may be the first generation to lead shorter lives than their parents. It’s not only adults that are suffering from expanding waistlines. Family exercise is one of the best ways to combat this problem, and working out with your kids is easy, fun and a great way to bond.

Sometimes the Best Gym is at Home

Going to work out at the gym is a great feeling for some people. It works well for them. It provides the equipment they want, the class schedules they need, and in many cases the relaxing extras to look forward to. That doesn't mean that it's right for everyone, however. For many people, the only way to go is with a home gym workout schedule.