Strength training is said to be the key to fitness. How does fitness improve the way your skin looks? For starters, circulation of your blood can give you a glow like you’ve never seen. Or haven’t seen in a long time.

But what can strength training do for you? Other than give you mad confidence, Strength training can help you achieve your optimum weight, develop stronger bones and sleep so much better at night. It is also said to help you climb stairs faster, remember facts longer, breathe easier and help remove toxins giving your skin a beautiful glow.

Strength Training Does Not Automatically Make You Look Like A Dude

The myth about weights and women is that you’ll loose your feminine essence and look like one of the guys. That’s not necessarily the case. Strength training can actually make you leaner, stronger and feel more powerful.

Lifting weights is said to be the best way to carve lean muscle. The more fit and stronger you become, the more you’ll see a chiseled and curved body. You’ll also reap the benefits of reducing heart disease and improving your posture.

While we can all use a great workout, don’t think this is a walk in the park. Anything worth having will take work, effort and energy. You’ll feel soreness in your muscles, you’ll even be tired as hell at times. You’ll learn a lot about your metabolism, how it works and how to use it to your advantage.

I recommend hiring a personal trainer if you choose to use weights. You’ll need the professional guidance of someone who understands what your body is going through and how to help you move forward. They can offer nutritional advice as well as coach you through your moves as you exercise.

However, if you choose to use a more natural approach to strength training:  yoga, pilates, balance balls, resistance bands and Tai Chi are excellent choices for getting the same results.

Fueling Your Body With The Right Foods When Strength Training

Should you ditch the carbs? Not at all! The key is in eating the right carbs. When you think of carbohydrates, foods like bread, pasta, rice and potatoes come to mind. The best foods to find your carbs in are fruits, green leaf vegetables and legumes. You’ll get your healthy dose of B Vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and fiber. You’ll be missing a lot if you limit your carbs.

So make sure your pantry has a bit of quinoa and your fruit bowl contains bananas, apples, oranges, grapefruits, and blueberries. On the vegetable side of the fridge, Yams, beets, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, green beans, kale, cucumbers, tomatoes and cabbage make a welcome addition to helping you build the strong body you desire.

When It’s All Said And Done …

Strength training and any other exercise for that matter is great for your heart, your lungs as well as your mental outlook. But by increasing your blood flow when you exercise, this helps nourish your skin cells. Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Your skin becomes a great reflection of what’s taking place inside.

With that in mind, consider some form of exercise for yourself. If not strength training, walk for 30 minutes, swim, or take a salsa class. You’ll love the way your body begins to look and feel.

That’s it for this week. As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel,
Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care