Sweat Equity

"Sweat is fat crying."

Hey all, it's been too long and I've missed all of my fitness blog friends. When I saw the quote above I knew I needed to stop back to my old blog home town and share it along with a few thoughts on the value of sweat.

Sweat, what can I say? It smells bad. Generating it results in the need for a shower. Sometimes it drips in our eyes causing a stinging sensation. Those are a few ways to think about it. But sweat tells us we are working hard enough to see results. Sweat is the first step to achieving the exercise high we all crave. Sweat is like a pat on the back for a job well done.

A fellow parent at my child's school once shared with me her frustration with her lack of success in her pursuit to lose weight. She knew the value of a clean diet and regularly worked out at her gym. Her fitness routine involved several days of strength training using the various machines at the club. Okay, good start, right? But I had to bite my tongue when she added two things: No cardio and light weights only, she didn't like to sweat-ever. While some activity is better than no activity her lack of results was very well linked to her adversity to sweat. It must have been so disappointing for her to be putting in the time but not enjoying any success.

"Don't throw in the towel...use it to wipe the sweat and keep going."

Sweat is the body's natural cooling system. Have you ever noticed that you sweat profusely after a workout? Your body is responding to the heat produced as the blood courses through the body. If sweat doesn't result than the action should most likely not be labeled as a workout. If your workout isn't producing moisture take it up a notch. Instead of a brisk walk, take it to a jog. If resting between sets isn't causing a few drips on the forehead try alternating upper body exercises with lower body ones without breaking. (As a bonus, you'll get both a cardio and a strength workout!) Know what your target heart rate should be and work on getting to the appropriate rate.

Sweat builds beautiful, healthy bodies. Sweat is a good thing, embrace it, strive to produce it. You'll thank yourself afterwards.

Have a great day!

*Quotes via Pinterest