Top 5 Reasons Why Women should lift weights

A lot of women get intimidated walking into a gym and heading towards the free weight section. You shouldn’t be afraid to dive into the pit of grunting, sweating and good looking men because lifting weights (heavy ones at times) is what is going to get you the body that you really want. It will give you the curves, weight loss and the toned muscles that you want.

Going to the gym and just doing cardio is not going to get you the results that you have been wanting for so long. What it will get you; a flat butt, no muscle tone, and a lot of wasted time and energy. While lifting weights will get you the results that most people want which is a tight and toned butt, muscle tone and the best results for your time and energy.

The follow are the top 5 reasons why women should lift:

1. Weight Loss
2. Healthy Food Cravings
3. Tight and Toned Butt
4. Flat Stomach
5. More Energy

1.Weight Loss

One of the best things that happens when you get into the gym and lift weights is that you will lose weight. Believe it or not weight lifting will not make you big and bulky. The bigger muscle groups that you use when lifting the greater the fat loss will be. You will build long lean muscles that are great for burning fat. The heavier you lift the quicker that you will drop those pounds.

2. Healthy Food Cravings

When you start going to the gym regularly you are less likely to crave bad food. Once you hydrate more and eat cleaner your palate will change. That means that you will crave refined sugary foods less and want more of the fuel your body needs for energy for your daily workout.

3. Tight and Toned Butt

The more you lift heavy and add in squats and lunges the quicker that your butt will become tight and toned. If you strictly stick to cardio machines you do not activate the glutes fully to create that round bottom that everyone wants. So hit the squat rack, grab the dumbbells and lunge and hit the hamstrings to develop that round bottom that everyone looks for these days.

4. Flat Stomach

This ties in with weight loss. Because you are lifting and burning more fat the waist line is going to drop and the stomach is going to get lean and toned vs skinny fat and flabby.

5. More Energy

Once you start lifting the endorphins get released. What do these little guys do? Give you energy! That's why studies have shown that people who do strength training have more energy throughout the day than people who don’t exercise. The have less daily lows and have more energy to get through their days. So buckle up and prepare to feel healthy and energized when you start hitting those weights!

Don’t be intimidated the next time you walk into the gm and show those guys who belongs in that weight pit! Happy training and remember to Train It Right!

Looking for an obstacle course this fall? Look no further Canadian Tire along with the Scarborough Hospital are coming together to present Brave T.O. A fun obstacle course that the Toronto police, paramedics and firefighters do to help support life saving care at the Scarborough hospital. Take a look at the info sheet below to find out more. Or visit www.brave.to to register or volunteer.

Hollywood stars have some of the best bodies that we've ever seen! Let's face it, sometimes it's completely unbelievable and we're left to wonder if it is genetics or if it's 'genetically-modified' (i.e. plastic surgery). But the fact of the matter is that no matter what, a great body takes hard work, both in the kitchen and in the gym!

Teen Body Builder - Is She Too Young?

Teen reconciles studies, work and training to fullfill her dream of being a successful bodybuilder.

Karina Chaves just turned 16 years old and will participate on Sunday in the South American Championship. The competition, organized by the WFF federation and to be held in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil will be the fourth of the young athlete's career.

Karina decided to change the dolls to iron bars at the age of 13 and began training alone at home imitating Youtube training videos without nutritional counseling or diets. The teen did cut out some foods, snacks, soft drinks and any kind of sweets, including chocolate although she loved it so much. All in order to fulfill her dreams of becoming a bodybuilder.

" I started training early because I used to see my brother go to the gym. It made me realize that I could actually lose weight and no longer be the chubby girl as I was called by other children at the time , "recalls Karina.

Even with her family's financial difficulties, it didn't stop Karina: "I never had financial support from anyone, but on the other hand, I can't complain about the moral support given to me by family and friends."

At 14 she began working as a receptionist at a gym and only then she began to eat better and buy supplements. It was also there that she met a bodybuilder Victor Soares, responsible for presenting the championships to Karina. At the time she did not know that at her age she already could attend these events. Her passion for the sport increased more and more.

Today Karina trains from Monday to Saturday for about an hour and a half accompanied by professionals, while following a strict diet recommended by a nutritionist, which is based on good carbs, fats, proteins and sometimes some fruits.

With all this dedication, when she was 15 years old, the teenager competed in a Brazilian Championship and won first place in three categories.

" It was all due to discipline that got all these victories and I hope all will go well on the next one too ," she says proudly and confident.

With the fully defined body, the young girl, who lives in the city of Apucarana, Parana, Brazil is constantly questioned and criticized by colleagues, but says she does not mind.

" Once I was using the stair master and a lady asked me:
- Why is your body all deformed? - I will never forget that day! How can someone compare definition with deformation? I found a bit of an exaggeration on her part , "sighs.

Karina says that even with all running around all day, she can still get good grades in school, be a good worker and a promising athlete.

" I need to always commit myself to school, I plan to study physical education in the future and cannot give in ," she adds.

The 16-year old has become an inspiration for other young people who end up following a heavy workout routine. However raising once again questions about the risk of starting weight training as an adolescence.
We decided to talk to Rickson Moraes, a Brazilian Orthopedic doctor and post graduate in Sports Medicine. During the interview, the doctor confirmed that there are benefits of weight training for teens and adolescents. It has been proven by the medical literature, however, it is essential that the exercises are done under the supervision of professionals used to working with young people, using load and volume and appropriate training.

" The exercises in this age group has always created a lot of discussions among physicians. Not long ago, it was not uncommon that these young people were prohibited from performing these activities, because many were afraid the practice could compromise somehow, growth and development , "concluded the doctor.

Im interested to know your thoughts on the topic? Please comment below. Teen Body Builder - Is She Too Young?

Guys, Get a Load of My Awesome Winter-Proof Fitness Activities

Okay guys, you need to make sure you’re staying in shape all year round. But, this can be difficult when you’re dealing with bad weather. So, why not make use of my winter-proof fitness suggestions. You can thank me later! For now, start focusing on getting that body in shape!

Self Defense

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Self defense classes are also a wonderful way of staying fit and healthy as much as possible. Now, these days you’re sort of spoilt for choice a bit when it comes to self defense classes. Look into local kickboxing or karate classes and sign up as soon as you can. You might also want to consider taking up wrestling! No, I’m, not talking about WWE, I mean actual wrestling. You’ll need to work on strength, and figure out your weight class. Use the digital wrestling scale buying advice available so you have the right equipment to start taking this seriously. Self defense classes are an awesome way of getting in shape and learning to look after yourself.

Go to the Gym

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I know, I know, you’re probably rolling your eyes at this one. But guys, you want to get fit and healthy? The gym is the best way of doing this. It might seem laborious, but you’ve got to be disciplined about it. Did you know 80% of Americans with gym memberships rarely if ever use the gym? This is such a waste of opportunity, and you need to make sure you don't fall into this habit. Going to the gym may sometimes be the last thing you want to do, but it's also the best way of keeping fit.

Take Up Tennis

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Why tennis you ask? Well, simple really. See, sport is a wonderful way of keeping fit, losing weight, and enjoy yourself. However, a lot of sports have to be played outside and are weather dependent. This becomes a problem in the winter because it is often cold, wet, icy and dark. However, tennis is something that you can play indoors all year around. And that's why it’s such a great sport to pick. Get in shape by taking up tennis and trying to emulate your heroes on the court. There are bound to be some indoor courts around your area, so this is worth looking into.

Workout at Home

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I always tell people that they should come up with a way of working out at home. That means setting aside space where you can do exercise at home. If there's a spare room, or you have space in the garage, this is perfect. So, make sure you look at the best ways of doing this. Get some basic equipment like a weight set, a yoga mat, and an exercise ball. The great thing about getting fit at home is that it means you don't have to go out and join a gym if you don't want to.  And it’s completely weatherproof as well. Buy some fitness DVDs as well so you have a good place to start. You will need motivation and discipline to workout at home, but it’s certainly something I’d recommend trying.

Just because we’re heading towards the cold and dark of winter doesn't give you guys an excuse to ease off. I know it’s not as easy in winter as the weather may not enable you to go running or cycling. But, there are plenty of other things you can do to help you keep fit, even in the winter.

Under Armour is looking for Canada’s most passionate runners to participate in UA Run Camp. This is not for the faint of heart. I thought your readers would be interested!

UA Run Camp brings together the world’s most passionate runners and pits them against some of the world’s worst conditions. The goal is to push the limits of athletes farther than they ever thought possible.

Take a look: https://www.underarmour.com/en-ca/run-challenge

If that looked challenging, just wait until you see what’s next when runners take on “The Desert”. Want to be there? Here’s how you can earn your spot. Canadian runners have until September 16 to earn their spot at UA Run Camp by:

Sharing their most intense run on Instagram or Twitter tagging @uarunning #earnyourspotca and #uacontest

Logging an intense run on the MapMyRun or Endomondo app and sharing on Twitter or Instagram using #earnyourspotca, #UAContest and tag @UARunning with a statement about why they deserve a spot.

Getting Fit with Self - Defense In Mind

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The sad fact is that a lot of us feel very vulnerable when we’re outside. It doesn’t matter what sex you are, or whose company you tend to keep. Some of us simply don’t feel all that confident when we’re out in public. This can be especially damaging when we’re trying to have a good night out, or when we’re travelling somewhere alone.

One of the best ways to tackle this sort of fear is confidence. I’m not talking about the confidence that nothing bad will happen. (Although if there is a magic wand that grants such freedom from worry then please let me know if you find it!) It’s more about having confidence that, should someone make an unwanted move on you, you can handle the situation effectively. Maybe this is through conversation. Maybe it’s through being able to run away. Maybe it’s even in taking more physical action against an attacker.

Whatever the case, keeping physically fit can actually help a lot with this type of confidence. But what if we take fitness a step further and actually incorporate self-defense? It’s absolutely something that everyone should consider, especially those with these sorts of worries.

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Considering general fitness

As I said before, keeping physically fit can help a lot in this area. That’s because, whatever action you choose to take, you’ll be better at it if you’re physically fit. Let’s take a general example. A lot of people are scared of these situations because they don’t run very fast. Or, if they do run fast, they don’t have a lot of stamina.

Well, by keeping up with a consistent and strong fitness routine, you can improve on both those areas. Keeping your physical strength up also helps you keep mentally sharp. Running will increase your lung capacity, allowing you to run for longer. Focussing on muscle strength will help with other defense techniques. Speaking of which…

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Direct defense techniques

When people talk about self-defense, they’re usually thinking about something very specific. They think of particular techniques that will allow them to fend off attackers if an encounter becomes violent.

If you want to best combine physical fitness with self-defense technique education? You may want to look into mixed martial arts, or MMA. Of course, as anyone who has seen The Karate Kid knows, there’s a lot more to this activity than simply learning how to fight. MMA can provide you with a thorough workout good for both mind and body.

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Evasive maneuvers

Sometimes, the best option really is to just run. But we don’t just want to focus on speed. We probably need to focus on evasive maneuvers through an urban environment.

A lot of people believe that parkour is only about jumping around on public property in an effort to impress your friends. But think about it. Parkour is the method by which you learn to move through complex environments at high speed. It’s about overcoming physical obstacles with ease. Let’s say you’re running away from an attacker. Are you sure that knowing the best way to climb and jump a wall wouldn’t be extremely useful? It may sound unconventional, but it could absolutely boost your confidence.

My Experience With Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection

I was recently sent the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection to try out! When the bag was delivered to my house I quickly opened it up to reveal the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection. What an awesome idea! Finally a collection of odor defence laundry pods and beads specifically designed to fight gym smells! The Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection has been designed to “remove odors at the source so odors don't come back, wash after wash.” They have the added power of Febreze, which is supposed to break down built-in odors and layers of body soil and dinge, which can lead to odor issues over time. In addition, Downy Fresh Protect with Febreze Odor Defense infuses your laundry with motion-activated technology to neutralize odors for 24 hour odor protection while you move throughout your day!

I was particularly excited because as most of you reading this know that I practically live in the gym. I train athletes, business men and women, fitness enthusiasts, fitness rookies and run transformation programs. I also train myself up to 3x a day. Not only am I training but I train intensely with 1x strength training session and 2x a day intense cardio. So you can imagine just how much I sweat when I am working out that hard. Fabrics that I wear when I train include neoprene, elastane, spandex and moisture wicking blends. We all know that these hold smells and sometimes they are hard to get out!

I basically living and breathing in gym clothes day and and day out you can probably imagine how many times a day that I normally have to change my clothes due to sweat, dirt and smell. I sometimes go through three or more outfits. And how many loads of laundry that I have to do! I was in desperate need for an elevated laundry regime. You don’t realize how dirty your clothes actually are until the “rebloom” happens (either during the workout or while resting in your gym clothes, when you least expect it).

What a difference the Tide + Downy made for me and my laundry. I used the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection every time I did laundry for an entire week. I was blown away by the difference in smell, the freshness and the softness of my favorite go to gym clothes! Even my regular clients commented on my freshness (not that I was that bad before) but the smell of fresh laundry due to the infused febreeze is noticeably different with the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection. I didn’t have to change as often as I use to and the odors were definitely neutralized.

I would recommend this product to every gym goer, outdoor adventurist or weekend warrior. Basically anyone who is active should have the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection and use it on all of their clothes! Remember to put the pods or beads in before your laundry and you won’t be disappointed. Trust me you won’t want to wash your gym clothes in anything else again. Tide #getsitout

You can learn more about the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection products on their social channels and website:

@Tide - Facebook, twitter

@tidelaundry - Instagram

http://tide.com/en-us/about-tide/tide-downy-odor-defense-collection

#getsitout #sponsored #tide #laundry #odor #odordefencecollection #workout

At Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, yoga is elevated to an extraordinary level- via helicopter

TORONTO, ON. and TOFINO, BC., (June 15, 2016) – In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21st as the International Day of Yoga to bring the world together in a 5,000-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice. Since its inception, millions across the globe have united on the Summer Solstice to get their Om on. Nowhere else on the planet is yoga taken to a more elevated level of solitude than at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a luxury tented resort outpost, located in the UNESCO-designated Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve Area provides three breathtaking options for guests seeking the ultimate yoga retreat, on Tuesday June 21 and every day during its five-month, May through September season. During each extraordinary experience, guests travel by helicopter to remote nature and serenity to find sacred solitude, including above the clouds to the 4,500-foot Ursus mountain top, on a private island beach, alongside whales and marine life or in an old-growth forest so ancient, the land vibrates with the healing energy of the ages.

Guests are assigned their private vinyasa (flow yoga) instructor and served a locally-sourced five-star spa lunch or wine-paired dinner, complete white linen service in the splendor of each setting.

Four-hour half-day morning or evening sun excursions allow for more than just yoga and include time to explore, take photos, wildlife watch, and dine. Rates start at $775 per person CAD half-day, $1,550 per person full-day, minimum three persons.

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About Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is a remote, refined, remarkable Relais & Chateaux property located in Clayoquot Sound, near Tofino, British Columbia, Canada, accessible only by floatplane, helicopter or boat.  The resort was fashioned after turn-of-the-century great camps and luxury safaris - celebrating an era when the privileged and adventurous travelled in and with extraordinary luxury, comfort, and service - no matter how remote. 

www.wildretreat.com  1.888.333.5405