WHY AM I NOT SEEING RESULTS??? By: Lisa Ritchie

You made your New Year’s Resolution to get in shape about six weeks ago. How’s that beengoing? If you’re not getting the results you’d like, here’s a few tips:

• Not warming up. Muscles need time to adjust to the new demands of activity. A brief ten-minute warm-up can help you reach past plateaus.

• Doing too much cardio! It does help burn body fat, but it doesn't create much muscle definition or increase your metabolism in the long-term. Muscle increases metabolism.

• Speaking of cardio; DON’T LEAN ON THE MACHINES. It takes your bodyweight off the machine’s resistance and lowers your calorie burn.

• Lifting too light, women are often afraid of getting big muscles or too bulky. Don’t let that scare you off. Very few women have the natural testosterone to get the muscles a man can. You’d have to lift very heavy, consistently and eat the right balance of food. Choose a weight heavy enough for 10-12 repetitions. Beware of lifting too heavy as well. You’re not wimpy if you lift what you can in proper form. Letting gravity do the work , lifting the weight is not enough.

• Controlling the weight on the way down causes more muscle growth. Go slowly.

• Drinking sports drinks instead of water can slow your results too. They’re full of sugar and calories, and unless you’re an endurance athlete, they do nothing to help you.

• Not eating enough, dieting to starvation will slow actually down your metabolism. Eat 4 -5 healthy small meals a day.

• And finally, not resting enough. You need at least 48 hours between strength sessions. That’s when most of the muscle growth occurs.

• REMEMBER: Be consistent with your workouts, use proper form, eat properly and get enough rest!