Diet and Exercise…….

Exercise is vital for your well being - we all know this but how many do anything about it?

When you hit 60 you do feel a difference.  Legs, arms, joints aren't as effective as they once were. Certainly I am conscious of occasional malfunction of my knees and hips. My solution is to have regular exercise and to use resistance training. The latter isn't my favourite but it keeps my body toned and I know it is good for my bones.  Osteoporosis is a threat at this age and diet and exercise play an important part in prevention.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Osteoporosis/Pages/Treatment.aspx

I go to my local gym at Sopwell House and I build my regular visits into my daily routine.  I use the cross trainer and low level bike but I start with the weights.  I can appreciate that going into the weights room is a little daunting but trainers are always willing to take you through the equipment and advise what will work best for you.

Have a look at what is available locally you may be surprised at what is out there both private and public.  The people who attend are just like you and you can strike up friendships with fellow exercisers and this also provides you with support.

The trick is doing a little and often and build up usage and strength.





I also find that Pilates helps with keeping me supple and exercises my core -often neglected!






Friends tell me the their exercise really comes to going for a walk.  Of course this is good for you but to make it really beneficial  it should be a brisk walk not an amble.



Combining diet and exercise will pay dividends in losing weight, increasing your fitness levels, toning your body and providing a sense of well being and preventing some very serious conditions which affect older people.
So what are you waiting for?



Oh and one more thing as mentioned in previous posts - all this helps with cellulite as does wearing Proskins when training !!
www.proskins.co.uk

Cellulite Advice…...

Just been reading my latest "Good Housekeeping" Magazine which I find provides a wealth of information and advice for women. Page 89 of February 2014 edition has Dr Sarah Jarvis providing advice and support to many of the illnesses and peculiarities which affect all age groups. In her column she answer a question of a lady who is not overweight and has always been plagued by cellulite. Its worth a read and to heed advice…. regular exercise, keeping weight to appropriate levels, avoiding crash diets and too much alcohol is the best solution.

I have certainly found that regular exercise ideally an hour a day - for me cross trainer and squats deliver.  As you may have read from my previous posts…..I suddenly found I had a real problem and took myself in hand.  My exercise is part of my lifestyle now and my cellulite has disappeared apart from one small knot the size of a penny on the back of left thigh which isn't bad is it? I realised that there is no quick fix…………sadly………………...

and in summary.......!

Well my fellow silverstrivers  lets have a look at some of the topics we have shared so far................


Cunning Plan!
......importance of having a framework, plan and objectives

Diet 
.......we all have tried many diets and have some have worked and some have not. We understand the importance of keeping on striving to maintain a sensible weight, for health, looks and mobility.  The older we get the more we realise how good weight maintenance helps to ward off many illnesses or conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and poor joints
one website you might like which helps to monitor weight and exercise and provides advice which I have used and have recommended to friends ......
www.myfitnesspal.com 
you can also download as  free app on iPhone

Exercise
.......whatever your poison choose what works for you - gym, walking, pilates, yoga - must be something which works for you!  Check out this link of exercise for over 50s
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2279301/Jane-Fonda-launches-new-exercise-DVD-help-50s-stay-fit-like--despite-having-knee-AND-hip-replacements.html

Fashion
.......remember the uniform?  Look forward to revisiting the Fashion topic shortly.  Hope London Fashion Week delivers some goodies!

Mature Dating
......never too late to find "the one"! We looked at good and not so good experiences. Its worth striving but also worth exercising caution!

Teeth whitening
........in my opinion one of the most important "beauty" treatments involves regular visits to the dentist and hygienist and exploring which cosmetic treatments may work for your teeth.  Good dentistry, good for your looks, health and enjoyment of food!

Cellulite
........not always seen as a problem for all but if you are interested in the physical look and tone of your body then there are many treatments put forward by the cognoscenti.  Each to their own but regular exercise to me is a significant part of the solution.

Laser rejuvenating facials
.... a brief look at whats available - beauty clinics and at home - await readers experiences!!

Cellulite Busters

When did the word cellulite come into play?  When I was young no-one ever mentioned cellulite . However people did tend to wear more clothes and have more cover!  Nowadays with so much on show we tend to notice these imperfections .  Somehow the magazines seem to relish the thought that even celebrities can be afflicted and it doesn’t matter if you are fat or thin you can still have this badge of honour. 

It must be dreadful if at your most relaxed on the beach that someone somewhere is focusing their lenses on the offending part of your body – even worse if the photos then appear in the papers the following day shared with the world.   Happily we mere mortals are not subject to this kind of scrutiny but we do tend to be hard on ourselves if we find that the once firm legs,  bottom or arms have turned into “cottage cheese”.

About 5 years ago I noticed the back of my thighs were starting to show these frightening signs – I was staggered and I mentioned it to my husband and he said “I know” – of course the usual female response was “what do you mean you know?  Why didn’t you tell me?”  His then said drily “I was too polite to say!” Fortunately we share a strange sense of humour and both had a laugh about it.  He followed up with the usual supportive husband comments like ……”if that is all you have to worry about…”  and “ I love you the way you are….” 

As we women know its not only their opinion which counts but also our own.  I knew I had to do something about it – who knows this could be the thin edge of the wedge!  So I read up on the definitions and causes  and treatments. Here is one of the definitions......

Cellulite is nothing more than normal fat beneath the skin. The fat appears bumpy because it pushes against connective tissue, causing the skin above it to pucker.

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/cellulite-causes-and-treatments

There are extensive lists of possible causes including , hereditary, diet, weight, diet, lack of exercise………………

The jury is still out!

Like many I thought what could I do that would be a quick fix so tried various creams and apart from smoothing the outer surface of my thighs didn’t really do anything miraculous to change the appearance.  So I was determined to remove the half a stone I had acquired and also increase my exercise workout regime including more toning and pilates. I also used sugar scrubs which I think helped to improve circulation.

Additionally I read a couple of articles on a form of leggings which claimed that they helped in reducing cellulite and could be worn at the gym to good effect.  They are called Proskins and I decided to try them. I was skeptical at first but I have been pleasantly surprised and I am feel they have also significantly contributed to my cellulite turnaround.

This is what the company say on their website……

Proskins slim fabric has some pretty special cosmetic ingredients impregnated into it. Each ingredient has special properties that help you look and feel better, lose inches, moisturise and soften your skin and reduce cellulite just by wearing them.Proskins slimming leggings are very convenient as they can we worn as gym leggings, running leggings, as sleep wear or under conventional clothing. Whenever you wear them they will be acting as cellulite leggings. The special ingredients impregnated in the fabric include caffeine, aloe vera, vitamin E, retinol and ceramides.

www.Proskins.co.uk

I am pleased to say that my cellulite problem has virtually disappeared - but it does take time and some patience!

I have concluded that  exercise particularly is the key and but that there are other factors which I took on board which have helped too.

Any other experiences which you think have worked for you?