Strong Not Skinny: the path to a healthier and happier self

  • HOME
  • Strong Not Skinny: the path to a healthier and happier self

Embrace Strength, Elevate Health – Discover Your Power at The Wellness Works.

In today’s health-conscious world, an overwhelming number of people, particularly women, are preoccupied with their weight. Indeed, research shows that nearly 60% of women are concerned about their weight at any given time. While addressing obesity remains a critical issue, an obsession with the number on the scale can often overshadow the most important goal of fitness: overall health.

At The Wellness Works, we truly believe the mantra of being “strong not skinny.” This philosophy is gaining momentum as more individuals realise that weight loss and being the lightest version of yourself isn’t the pinnacle of health. Strength and muscle building are increasingly recognized as vital components of a well-rounded fitness regimen. But why is this shift happening?

Why Strength Matters

Many still subscribe to the misconception that strength training is solely for men or that women will quickly bulk up like a bodybuilder but this is far from the truth. Engaging in strength training won’t turn you into the Hulk; instead, it will build a stronger, more resilient body that will help you to feel better, look better, carry less fat and live longer.

Stronger Bones

Strength training significantly increases bone density and reduces the risk of fractures. By stressing your bones, strength training increases calcium deposits and stimulates bone-forming cells, making your bones stronger. This benefit is particularly important for women, who are more prone to osteoporosis as they age.

Effective Weight Management

Strength training is not only effective for building muscle mass but also for burning fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest, which increases your daily energy expenditure and helps maintain a healthy weight. Several studies have demonstrated that regular strength training can help reduce visceral fat—the dangerous type around your abdomen linked to many health issues. Regular resistance training can boost your metabolism by up to 15%, making it a crucial component of any weight management program.

Boosted Mental Health

  • Enhanced Self-Esteem: Regular strength training has been shown to improve self-esteem and perception of self-worth. As you grow stronger and meet physical milestones, your self-confidence can improve significantly, impacting many areas of your life positively.
  • Reduced Anxiety and Depression Symptoms: Engaging in regular strength training has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The endorphins released during exercise act as natural mood lifters. Additionally, the routine and focus required during strength training can serve as a form of mindfulness, which helps calm the mind and reduce stress.

Improved Overall Health

  • Stabilised Blood Sugar Levels: Strength training can enhance your body’s ability to process sugar, which can help in managing or even preventing diabetes. By improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar, strength training can be an effective tool in managing type 2 diabetes.
  • Heart Health: Regular strength training can reduce your risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol levels, increasing good cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. It strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, and can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Improves Brain Health

Those who engage in strength training may experience better brain health and protection against age-related cognitive decline. Studies in older adults have shown significant improvements in cognitive function—such as processing speed, memory, and executive function—following strength training. The neuroprotective effects of resistance training include improved blood flow, reduced inflammation, and an increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a crucial role in memory and learning.

Promotes a Better Quality of Life

 Strength training can significantly enhance your quality of life, especially as you age. It has been linked to increased health-related quality of life, encompassing both physical and mental well-being. Research, including reviews of numerous studies, indicates that older adults who engage in resistance training report better mental health, physical functioning, pain management, and overall vitality. Moreover, strength training has been shown to improve quality of life for individuals with arthritis, with significant improvements in pain management and physical function.

So if you are not already training for strength, the important question is, what day this week are you going to start?