Slow it down to build it up!

We've been talking (or rather, blogging...) about slowing down in different ways all week, and you'll love this! If you're like me, the idea of weight lifting is either by using dumbells or machines, and a certain number of repititions in 1-3 sets; normally they aren't anyone's favorite thing to do, so the faster you can get through them and the least often, the better. HOWEVER, you can actually get better results by reducing the amount of weights and repetitions, but taking more time with each one - when you slow down, you allow not only your larger muscle groups to get stronger, but also the little ones that support them. ALL your muscles burn calories, and you have a lot more of the little ones than the big ones; when you exhaust your muscles, your body repairs that muscle, and builds more - as much as 50% more (in the big ones AND the little ones!). The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn - even when at rest (SLEEPING!). Each pound of muscle burns about 100 calories a day; slower reps (even if they are lighter) allow you to you develop a long, lean-looking, fit body. So imagine yourself working from the inside out - feel yourself getting stronger, and the results you want will follow. Have a nice weekend - Melissa