Mental Benefits of Weight Training
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I’ve always been the type of person that has opposed the whole “weight-lifting” thing. I am a bigger-built person and the idea of lifting weights to “bulk up” was not what I wanted. My goal is to get smaller. To get lean.
Well, this 21-day challenge I’ve been doing has triggered some sort of change in me. I’ve been really intentional with my workouts and trying to target specific muscles each day.
It’s only been two weeks of this. But, a few things I’ve already noticed – unrelated to the toning of my body. (Because there’s still plenty of work to be done).
Five Mental Benefits of Weight Training
1) I am much more attentive and focused on my tasks throughout the day. I’ve always been the type of person who couldn’t sit through a movie without getting up to move. Or I felt like I constantly needed to multi-task which divided up my brain in a way that made me much less efficient. I think my “flightiness” has calmed down a bit since starting to weight train. As if my body is finally grounded after so long. (See: Sensory Needs in Children). <—Turns out the same concept can apply to adults.
2) I have been sore (in a good way all week). And there’s nothing like a good soreness to remind you – as you’re reaching for a snack in the fridge – that you worked your butt off this week and maybe, just perhaps, you don’t NEED that snack.
[bctt tweet=”For a mental lift, you should weight lift! #StrengthTraining ” username=”eatteachblog”]
3) Exercise, in general, releases endorphins. But, I’ve been feeling that the “workout high” is much more fierce lately as a result of lifting weights.
4) Instant gratification. Sure, I may not be down a pant size (and I’ve tucked away the scale for the past few weeks so I’m not quite sure where I’m at numbers-wise), but when I put lotion on my arms in the morning or I’m in the shower and lathering myself with soap all over, I can genuinely feel a difference. Even though it’s only been two weeks. I just feel a lot more tone.
5) You are forced to be 100% present. I’m not worried about anything while I’m working out. Because the intensity and focus that’s required to lift weights makes it pretty darn impossible to be anywhere else mentally.
Mental Benefits of Weight Training
People say that losing weight (and keeping it off) is impossible until you can make-over your mind. I have a pretty good feeling that this is going to be the thing that propels me forward and closer to my ultimate goal. Because I’ve got the knowledge behind me. I know what needs to be done. It was always just a matter of getting my mind to play along with me.
Questions of the Day:
- What does your workout regime look like?
- Do you lift weights?
YESSSSSSSS
Weight training helped me find my voice.
In all areas of my life <3
I don’t normally do weight training at the gym. My whole purpose of gym is to say I’ve been. But recently I have started weight training because I thing I need to as I spend a lot of time in the yard in the summer. Now I don’t ache as much, even after 6 hours of digging,
I never thought of it that way when it comes to weight training – but it does make sense! I should really do more of it!
I never thought about weight training. I know I feel really good after any kind of physical workout. Thanks for sharing this.
My workout regime looks like keeping up with two todders all day everyday at present, though I’d love to start getting back into yoga…if i could find an hour to not have toddlers in tow.
Finding a workout routine that works for me has been tough but whenever weights are involved it is always better. I love that you are finding it so wonderful and that it is having a positive influence on so many areas of life. I think being 100% present is my favorite of these though. To really focus and put in the time….way to go girl!
This summer, I will start lifting more, but right now I just do barre and at home workouts with 5 and under. These are great reminders and work for almost any workout routine.
I love weight training. And with a turbo toddler around I better be in shape as much as I can. Plus he also likes to watch me do it. We fight ver the weights though /sigh
As much as I love the physical benefits of weight training, I really think it’s the mental ones that have kept me coming back to it time and time again!
I always sleep better too. I have better mental clarity also. Lifting weights gives me a great feeling.
This is great! More people should definitely train with weights. The results seem to come so much more quickly when you include weight lifting in the routine.
I’ve been CrossFitting for about 4 years. The first time my (now) husband got me to go I was so mad at him when I showed up and there were weights and running! I still can’t say I love every weighted movement, but it’s awesome to look back and know that at 31 I can do so much more than I could at 21.
I’ve been doing a lot more weight training post baby. It def makes me feel great!
My teen daughter had a weight training class for PE last semester and I could see some of these benefits for her. She grumbled at first, but by the end she was smiling and proud of her accomplishments in lifting!
I do weight training several days a week and I love it. I also do yoga, spinning and barre.
This is motivating! I just started strength training after a very, very, very long hiatus. 😀 I was so sore all last week!
I used to do a lot of cardio then switched to lift three times a week for 20 minutes only. It have been awesome. I didn’t think though of the points you mentioned. It makes total sense. Thanks for your post.
Abeer from http://www.abeersfashion.com/
My exercise is mostly just walking at this point, but I’ve been focusing a LOT more time and energy on the eating healthy part. But yes, it’s definitely a big mental thing.
🙂
-lauren
Thank you for posting this. I haven’t weight trained in the traditional sense in years. I have been focused on my yoga practice for the last few years. But something about lifting traditional weights is calling to return to a gym once more. Or at the very least buy some free weights for home use 🙂
I used to be a cardio queen and lived for a good, long, sweaty run. After a bad injury I started weight lifting and now I dread cardio!! Such great points on the benefits of weight training.m!
Lifting weights is my favorite type of workout, because of many of the benefits that you list here. It’s great for EVERYONE of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. Great post! 🙂
Weight haven’t always been my favourite either, but I do like to use small ones for toning and find them very effective 🙂
I used to weight train a while back but now I am too busy with work to even exercise. Lovely post I might just get back into it.
As a personal trainer for the last 20 or so years I can definitely support the message that exercise is important for mental health.
I love using weights! I can def. see the muscle, and that make me happy. Plus I’ve read that although muscle weighs more than fat, it takes up less space, so you look smaller (which makes the scale a dangerous thing). And I agree, I love the sore feeling after a good work out.
These are really great observations. I’ve noticed these things, too, when weight training, but never looked at them this way! Thanks for sharing!
There is an endorphin boost from weight training that is great. I find I feel less fragile when I am doing other things like snowboarding or soccer when I weight train.
Weight training is must for a proper body toning and increasing body resistance. I try do lift weights at least twice a week. I love that sweet pain which you have after an intense workout!
I know so many people that get joy out of weight training! Im into cardio right now, I do little right now but I will be increasing as I get more cardio in!
If only I could do weight lifting 🙁 I have a back problem so I can’t. I focus mostly on core exercises, however this is good to know!
These are all good benefits for doing weight training. I love the soreness keeping you on track with your goals.
Muscle training is where it’s at. I love the idea of burning calories when my body is at rest!
In college I had to take a physical education class. The dance classes didn’t fit into my schedule and the only other class I was somewhat willing to take was weight lifting. It became one of my favorite classes from college! I absolutely loved it and definitely noticed benefits from it. I also tried to keep the bench press off my routine, but my prof made me add it in. That ended up becoming my favorite thing to work on and I was so excited to see how much I improved throughout the semester. Loved this post! It totally took me down. (I still do weight training, but not like that, and I miss what I used to do sometimes.)
I’ve never been into weight training, but I love all the benefits that come from doing it. I really should give it a try,
I totally didn’t know this but I’m so glad you shared it! My husband would really appreciate this!
I remember when i converted myself into weight training and i never went back to my old self. Well done to your for going through the changes. I hope you enjoy the benefits now.