You don’t have to be a super-buff gym junkie to enjoy the benefits of strength training. Because muscle mass diminishes as we grow older, an exercise routine without strength training will still cause an increase in the percentage of fat all over your body. Ladies, it is totally possible to add regular strength training to your workout regimen without getting 22-inch guns!

[Strong but ladylike guns like Sam's requires a well-rounded strength training exercise regimen.]

Strength training increases your bone density which reduces your risk of getting osteoporosis. Adding strength training exercises to your exercise routine will help avoid injury. Building up your muscles protects the joints from injury so you don’t have long breaks between your workouts due to injuries.

We know that strength training improves other chronic conditions that may

Rafi Bar-Lev, a former combat medic and founder of the community fitness site Passionate Fitness, has stopped by today to discuss ways to help you stay motivated when you just don’t want to exercise. Before you skip over this information because you don’t think it applies to you, STOP!

It eventually happens to us all but the important part is to recognize the workout rut you’re in so that you can climb out and continue reaching for your fat loss goals.

[Climbing out of a workout rut seems pretty easy when you compare it to this type of climbing...Yikes!]

5 Ways to Stay Motivated When You’re in a Workout Rut – Guest Post by Rafi Bar-Lev

We’ve all been there when you just get tired of hitting the gym

Yes, the economy is in the toilet, but that’s not an excuse to lie down on your couch with your favorite cheap comfort food and justify your actions as trying to save some money.

Burning calories doesn’t require large amounts of cash.

Here are some frugal fat loss tips that’ll keep you striving for your fitness goals:

1. Shoe Leather Express

Don’t spend your cash on gas, parking, or car insurance.

Try walking, cycling or running to your destination. The only equipment required for walking and running is a comfortable pair of shoes.

Or pump up the tires on mountain bike sitting in your garage, grab a helmet, and some reflective clothing, and bike to work a couple of times a week.

If your commute to work is too far for this kind for these primitive