Losing Weight and Toning Muscle

Beyond the weight loss, you want to look good, so you will want toned muscles. Before we go any further, I will tell you that there are many definitions out there for toning as it relates to muscle and some people equate it with muscle sculpting. They are not wrong, but for the purposes of this article they will be treated separately and toned will mean: stretching and strengthening to improve the form, shape and flexibility of the muscle in its resting state. How's that for a mouthful? Translation: You look great in shorts and a tank top!

If you look on the Internet for a diagram or picture of body muscles and examine it, you will come to understand just how many muscles are in your body. It is amazing. Because of the way most of us live our lives, only a limited number of these muscles are used in our daily activities. The unused muscles can shorten or become lax because they are not being used. Since the body is a whole system and any one thing in it can affect everything else, it makes sense to ensure every muscle is being stretched, oxygenated and relieved of chemical buildup. This includes that muscle between your ears. Exercise may not seem like a way to relax and de-stress the brain, but I personally can attest to the fact that it does. It creates a different focus, pulls you inside and gives your brain a powerful dose of oxygen. This is especially true, in my experience, with exercise such as Yoga or Pilates.

For me, Pilates has been the answer for stretching, toning and strengthening muscles. When I first started classes, I hated it--because it was hard and I felt like a klutz. It was a humbling experience and made me realize just how unstable my body was. While I thought I was fit, Pilates class proved I was only partially fit. But I stuck with it and I found a world of benefits. My core muscles are not only stronger, my whole body is more flexible, I have improved balance, I stand taller, I sleep better, I have fewer joint aches and pains and there have been a few other benefits to my happiness that I won't mention here. Now, when I go to class and see first timers in the class struggling, I try to encourage them because I am reminded of my first five classes and see how far I have come.

Pilates Plus is the name of the class I attend. It may be called Plus, Rings, Fusion, or whatever name they give it where it is conducted, but the concept is a higher level of Pilates that incorporates strength and resistance training, along with the stretching. It works core muscles front and back, while stretching the muscles, lengthening the body as a whole and the spine in particular. If any of you have back problems, it may be caused by compression. Stretching along the spine can help relieve some of that compression. Joint lubrication is also said to occur during the flexing and movement of Pilates and that can reduce or eliminate joint pain.

If you aren't interested in Pilates, take a look at Yoga. While the two programs have significant differences, they both offer the stretching and increased flexibility that contribute to toned muscles. Read Pilates or Yoga? A Side-by-side Comparison of Pilates and Yoga by Barbara.

Your muscles respond to a variety of influences in a variety of ways and the more ways you exercise them, the stronger and more flexible they become. Add some toning to your weight loss plan.

Tip: Before you get out of bed in the morning, stretch and flex your muscles. You may be surprised how much faster you come to full wakefulness.

P.S. Thank you to Lois my Pilates instructor. Lois is a hard task master, but very encouraging. If I were in the market for a personal trainer, I would want one like her. She has made me strong!

CAUTION: Always check with your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise program.