I would say that my favorite form of physical exercise is weightlifting. I like lifting weights, because it increases muscle size and tone, but it does something else. From my experience, when the amount of muscle increases on your body it sort of makes you feel healthier. I think it maybe changes your metabolism or balances your hormones or something. Seeing your muscles get bigger probably also boosts your self-esteem. The only downside are those days you really push yourself and can barely move the next three days. This doesn’t happen as often once you make it a habit though, or maybe you just get used to a certain level of pain. Overall, I still think it’s one of the best physical exercises you can do.
I used to lift weights more often, but I’ve kind of gotten lazy since I moved downtown. My building does have a nice gym as one of its amenities, and it doesn’t require a membership, so there’s really no excuse to not walk down there. They are all machines though, because that’s probably the safest, especially if you don’t have a spotter. I’m not against machines, but I think I do prefer free weights. Back when I owned my own home, I had a good weight bench and decent set of free weights in my garage. I used them quite often. To be perfectly honest, it might also be that I don’t care to work out around strangers. Having a private home gym was definitely a huge benefit for me.
A few years back, I sort of went through a health improvement phase where I was really into weightlifting. I lifted like three or four days a week. I would say the phase became habitual enough that it lasted for over a year. I was also following a workout plan laid out in a health book I had read. It’s really amazing how a book can change your life by giving you the right motivation. I wasn’t really that overweight, but I did lose a significant number of pounds during the process. I would honestly say that period of time left a very pronounced effect on my health, and I am still reaping the benefits years later.
The book and plan I followed was called Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews. This book was geared toward men, but he also has a book specifically for women called Thinner Leaner Stronger. I really do believe it changed my life. I would be a lot less lean right now, and probably have a few more health issues if I had not found this book. I’m also considerably more muscular these days, which is kind of nice. If you need to turn your health around, I highly suggest getting a book with a plan and trying to stick to it for a year. You will be glad you did. Also, get a gym partner. It really helps to keep the motivation going.
Bigger Leaner Stronger: The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body
How to transform your body while eating the foods you like and doing a few challenging (but not grueling) strength training workouts per week. Oh, and cardio exercise? Completely optional.
Here are just a few of the things you’ll discover inside this workout book for men:
- The 10 biggest fitness myths and mistakes that keep guys weak, fat, and confused. For example, “calories are all that matters,” “carbs and sugars make you fat,” and “some guys don’t have the genetics to get big.”
- The primary driver of muscle growth that forces your muscles to get bigger and stronger. And no, it has nothing to do with “muscle confusion,” “functional training,” or any other pseudoscientific fitness nonsense.
- How to create meal plans for building muscle and losing fat with foods you love so you never feel starved, deprived, or like you’re “on a diet” (and especially a “bodybuilding diet”).
- 12 months of paint-by-numbers resistance training workouts for building a full chest, wide back, powerful legs, and bulging arms . . . in only 3-to-5 hours of weight training per week.
- A no-BS guide to fitness supplements that’ll save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars on useless (and sometimes even dangerous) pills, powders, and potions
What’s your favorite form of physical exercise? Do you spend much time in the gym? Do you like free weights or machines? What’s your best advice on getting and staying healthy? What’s a book that really changed your life in some way? Tell us all about it! Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!
Ken's Life 