29 October, 2007

Ask the coach: Weight training

Question

I'm afraid of performing weight training because if I decide to stop training, I don't want my muscle to turn into fat. What exercise should I do so I can fit into my dress for the Christmas party?

Answer

People are afraid of what they don't know. Muscle does not turn into fat -- you either use muscle or lose muscle. When you are using muscle, your metabolic rate, or engine size, is high and you are burning off lots of fuel or the calories you consume.

If you decide to stop your weight training, you are downgrading your engine size from a four-litre engine that guzzles fuel, to a fuel-efficient one-litre engine. So how can you burn off the fuel necessary to reveal a shapely figure for your party?

Avoid cardio training, and perform interval work by sprinting or using a bike. It should be very tough.

Get a weight-programme from a qualified professional with short rest intervals.

Eat five to six meals daily. Do this by eating snacks between your main meals.

Eat vegetables or thin-skinned fruit with each meal to balance out the acid/ alkaline base.

Eat protein regularly.

There are 168 hours in a week for everyone. You must devote four hours every week of training towards achieving your own fitness goals.