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Lev Nikiforev (RUS)
For many years Lev was Chairman of the Russian Masters.
For many years Lev was Chairman of the Russian Masters.
STIFFEN’ UP
Dear fellow lifters have you ever had those days when reaching down to that bar seemed just too dammed hard!! Those hamstrings are screaming, your back is aching and the knees don’t want to bend where you want them to. Because, although we hate to mention, it may be that our bodies may be aging just a little. Why am I doing this to myself? It’s an easy answer “We all love it”! Ok at times we have to weigh up the good and the bad and when you are feeling like crap I would like you to remember this:-
In post menopausal women, the reduction of oestrogen causes the fat to be stored on the abdominals similar to our males. Therefore ladies, post-menopausal women do have excess fat in the region which increases our risk for coronary heart disease. Although weight training is not considered a fat burning activity it increases our muscle mass, which in turn increase our metabolism. Physical activity alters brain chemistry and leads to feelings of well being. It can be an effective treatment for anxiety and depression along with a mild medication (better that temper tantrum with you loved one).
The physiological changes from exercising will take us longer, however it will have a significant impact on the quality of life we have as we get older. Not only on our physiological abilities but also on our social interactions, recreational activity and most importantly on our mental wellness. Improvement in postural awareness has been shown to minimise postural defects caused by muscle imbalance or weakness.
So next time you’re feeling like you are not wanting to face that bar try and keep these thoughts in mind:-
I want to feel healthier
I want to be able to walk up that flight of stairs
I want to be able to carry those shopping bags out of the trolley
I want to still have quality of life
I want to maintain my weight
I want to minimise falls
I want to feel relaxed and enjoy sleep quality
A final word if you are still not convinced, resistance training not only increases our bone density but also improves our energy metabolism. I know what that means for me!! I would love to know what it means for you.
Cheers,
Coral Quinell
AUSTRALIA
Dear fellow lifters have you ever had those days when reaching down to that bar seemed just too dammed hard!! Those hamstrings are screaming, your back is aching and the knees don’t want to bend where you want them to. Because, although we hate to mention, it may be that our bodies may be aging just a little. Why am I doing this to myself? It’s an easy answer “We all love it”! Ok at times we have to weigh up the good and the bad and when you are feeling like crap I would like you to remember this:-
In post menopausal women, the reduction of oestrogen causes the fat to be stored on the abdominals similar to our males. Therefore ladies, post-menopausal women do have excess fat in the region which increases our risk for coronary heart disease. Although weight training is not considered a fat burning activity it increases our muscle mass, which in turn increase our metabolism. Physical activity alters brain chemistry and leads to feelings of well being. It can be an effective treatment for anxiety and depression along with a mild medication (better that temper tantrum with you loved one).
The physiological changes from exercising will take us longer, however it will have a significant impact on the quality of life we have as we get older. Not only on our physiological abilities but also on our social interactions, recreational activity and most importantly on our mental wellness. Improvement in postural awareness has been shown to minimise postural defects caused by muscle imbalance or weakness.
So next time you’re feeling like you are not wanting to face that bar try and keep these thoughts in mind:-
I want to feel healthier
I want to be able to walk up that flight of stairs
I want to be able to carry those shopping bags out of the trolley
I want to still have quality of life
I want to maintain my weight
I want to minimise falls
I want to feel relaxed and enjoy sleep quality
A final word if you are still not convinced, resistance training not only increases our bone density but also improves our energy metabolism. I know what that means for me!! I would love to know what it means for you.
Cheers,
Coral Quinell
AUSTRALIA