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Do you know the top three factors impacting your credit score?

Exercise

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growth and body composition changes. Men, however, produce more androgens and this can explain why men can gain muscle faster than women. Women can still gain lean muscle, and when they do, it can reveal a slimmer figure.

Is there an ideal body type for both men and women?

No. Instead, achieving an ideal ratio of lean body mass to fat mass is the goal. In order to achieve that, the principles are the same regardless if it’s a man or a woman. In order to increase LBM and achieve a good body composition, weight training is key regardless of gender. It increases bone density, stimulates new muscle growth, increases the amount of calories you’ll burn at rest, and emphasizes your figure. Along with changes in eating habits, achieving the ideal body type is within reach.

Will increasing my LBM impact my eating habits?

No and yes. The premise of how to eat is simple regardless of body type — eat whole foods, quality lean meats, and lots of veggies. If you stay away from processed foods and eat to the above recommendations, you’ll see pounds melt away. As you gain more LBM, you may need to adjust the amount of food you consume to account for your changing figure.

So how should you start or change your program?

Aim to spend no more than 60 minutes in the gym, which ensures an efficient session that gets your heart elevated for a long period of time, and also ensures you are getting an adequate amount of work.

Perform 6-8 exercises of varying body parts (i.e. arms, legs, shoulders, chest, and back). Do between 2-6 sets of 6-12 repetitions per exercise. A rule of thumb is the more sets you do, the less repetitions you perform. This works for about 70 percent of the workouts.

Men and women can incorporate cardio at the end of their routine if they choose. This will ensure you will already be in the fat-burning zone and more than likely, use more fat for fuel vs. glycogen (or carbohydrates).

Try a weight-training program for 8-12 weeks, 2-3 times per week and if you increase repetitions or weight every single session, you will see noticeable changes in your body. You will see more definition, a slimming figure, and most importantly, you will have more energy.

Lanell Beckles is a certified strength and lifestyle coach. Along with helping people and athletes function optimally through performance training, he also educates and guides people in revamping their metabolism through lifestyle choices to be the best version of themselves.

Do you know the top three factors impacting your credit score?

In today’s financial landscape, it is important to be diligent with your credit. From getting car insurance to a new apartment to a new job, your credit score can affect you.

There are many factors making up your credit score ratio, but the following are major considerations. Your FICO score is a three-digit number, which can range from 300 to 850, and is a major factor in determining your creditworthiness when applying for a loan. Many people are unsure about how it is calculated or what actions they can do to improve their score. Here are the top three factors impacting your score:

1. A solid payment his-

tory – 35% of your credit score is based on your payment history, so it is imperative you pay your bills on time. Paying late can drastically drop your credit score, especially if it is a past due mortgage loan. This particular late payment can impact your score by 50 or 100 points! Overall, more weight is placed on your current payment history within the last 12 months.

2. Capacity is king –

30% of your credit score is based on capacity, which is how much credit you can handle. Carrying high balances relative to your limit on your credit cards, also known as maxing out your credit cards, is a bad idea. This shows lenders you are relying heavily on credit to get by and will negatively impact your score. Ideally, you should pay off any credit card debt you charge each monthly or aim to use less than 25% of the available balance.

3. Length of credit –

15% of your credit score is based on how long your credit has been established. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep your oldest credit card open even if it carries a zero balance. Closing credit cards that have a long credit history can negatively impact your score.

It is wise to check your credit score once a year to determine if you need to make any changes in your monthly budget or lifestyle to improve your score. Improving a bad score is possible, but it will take time and commitment on your part, which is why New Dimensions Federal Credit Union provides credit counseling to its members. If you would like more information on credit counseling services, please call Tanya Verzoni, Director of Financial Education, at 800-326-6190.

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