by Rachel Jonitis

Created on: September 11, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

Todays media has the world in a weight loss frenzy, with thousands of infomercials for workout machines, supplements and DVDs to help you lose weight fast, but concerns about becoming too bulky and masculine have many women refraining from weight lifting. However, aside from not bulking a women up unless they partake in supplements or steroids, weight lifting is very healthy, as well as empowering to women.

Women have a completely different molecular makeup from men, and they simply do not have enough testosterone in their bodies to bulk up the same way that men do. However, lifting weights works off fat as well as increasing strength, so not only will you be stronger and leaner, but you will find you have more energy to do other workouts such as cardio, as well as making everyday tasks like carrying groceries easier. Some lesser known benefits to lifting weights is that it improves the condition of a womens joints. When muscles grow and are exercised, the connective tissues(the tissues that hold the muscle to the bone) benefit making you more agile,as well as also helping your metabolism and building your endurance(www.associatedcontent.com). Weight lifting has also been reported to increase self esteem in women, as well as improving their immune systems and processing sugar better, reducing the risk of diabetes. According to the University of Arizona, research showed that weight lifting was also helpful in preventing bone diseases, proving that it is possible to preserve the bone and muscle mass in the hips and spine, the areas of the body most affected by osteoporosis(www.shawnlebrunfitness.com).

The University of Pennsylvania(www.cancer.org) recently did a study that showed that a slowly progressive weight lifting program might help some breast cancer survivors reduce the symptoms of lymphedema. However, it's not just about the weight lifting. Eating healthy is essential to deriving all the benefits from weight lifting, and since you will be adjusting the amount of exertion you use a day, that means that your diet will have to change to fit those needs. For starters, breakfast is a MUST. Eating 3 meals plus 2 snacks, or eating 5 times a day is the most suggested intake, as this will also help boost your metabolism, helping to keep your weight steady. Do not skip meals. Post workout snacks are important as well to help you build up those muscles you just exercised, as well as eating more calories on workout days. Some suggestions for snacks are things such

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