5 Reasons You Should Aim for Strong Not Skinny

Forget about model thin, let’s aim to be strong, healthy and fit! Stop with the all-kale, juice, five-bite, or whatever else fad diet you’ve just heard about. Not only is being strong empowering and a lot healthier, but being toned is sexy too. Here are 5 reasons why you should stop focusing on the numbers on the scale, and start focusing on the numbers on the dumbbells.

1/ Feel empowered.

Not only will you be physically stronger, but you’ll be confident and strong on the inside too! #girlpower

2/ Increased energy.

You’ll have loads of energy eating a nutritious diet and hitting the gym! If you weren’t aware, restricting your calories and going crazy on the treadmill is not only unhealthy, but exhausting.

3/ Get heart healthy.

It’s not only cardio that has cardiovascular health benefits! Resistance and weight exercise increase blood flow to the limbs and can lower blood pressure.

4/ Strong bones.

Many women begin to lose bone substance with age. A year-long study carried out by the McMaster University, actually showed that by doing weight training, women can improve the bone substance in their back by an average of 9 percent.

5/ You’re not going to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Sorry if that just crushed your dreams. Don’t be scared you’ll get bulky. Women have much lower testosterone levels, so don’t build the same ‘manly muscles’ as men. While I don’t want to put too much emphasis on the aesthetic side of it, being toned looks good. It represents how physically fit and healthy you are.

Exercise not because you hate your body, but because you love it. Forget about calorie restrictions and focus on fueling your body to get stronger and healthier. And work it girl, because you are fiercer than Beyoncé.

Written by Monique Sparks