maintaining your figure!!

Continuing plan for the summer determined to get to the gym to maintain my weight and to  tone.....this routine has become very much a part of my daily objectives.

my day also includes

scales
daily calorie count
making the right food choices
portion control

     I also treat my tape measure as my conscience - it doesn't lie!!

I have found that as I have got older I don't seem to need or crave the larger portions I would have had when I was young. We were brought up to "clear our plates" whereas now it is more sensible to say I am full - my body is telling me this so leave the food we don't need. Fortunately the friend I met yesterday has a similar approach to food and watches the carbs and portions size.  Maybe surrounding yourself with like minded people is the answer when socialising and then you are not tempted to order fatty calorific alternatives.

This may seem to be onerous and prescriptive and I understand if this is the impression that is taken from this.  However once you have worked out a healthy diet content which you find appealing you will be surprised how you will become happy with it and more comfortable and the bonus you will start to see a difference in your shape, energy levels and well being. 

I am no saint and like a glass of wine and a bag of crisps like everyone else - however these are acceptable so long as they don't become a frequent components of your diet.

Its a little bit like learning to drive - you never think you will get the knack of being competent so many things to think about .....however driving eventually becomes second nature to you and part of everyday life!

No reason why mature women in age category 50 and beyond can't have a figure which is beach ready!!

Talking of everyday life the rest of the day will be devoted to catching up on jobs in the garden....cutting back, pruning, planting bedding plants and praying that there won't be a frost!

Keeping active and busy for me now in my 60s is vital and hope that it will help in the future with my health and my mind!!

Time for a cup of tea!!

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

Developing Interests!

What a week it has been - so much sad news, Margaret Thatcher's  funeral, the bombing in Boston and the explosion in Texas. It makes you count your blessings and you realise that you really have no reason to moan!


So this morning I was determined to get back into my routine and positive attitude.  First thing  went to the gym for an hour on the cross trainer and then on to delivering leaflets for the Council Elections in May. I have always been interested in politics and do my bit for our local constituency.  Delivering leaflets provides me with yet more exercise and also combines this with my political interest.  My husband also helps with delivery and its  much more enjoyable when we do this together.

What I appreciate during my task is how hard it can be for our postman to deliver letters when I experience the challenges,  albeit in a limited way!

Letter boxes are arranged in different ways.....in the middle of the door, some at the bottom and some on the side.  The spring loaded ones are lethal as they snap your knuckles and even worse are the dogs who enthusiastically launch themselves at your enticing fingers.  The more creative have a special box pinned to the wall......flats have boxes in the foyers which can only be accessed at certain times.  Grrrr!!

Access to some of the houses is like an obstacle course - some have complicated layouts which take you through a maze before you reach your destination, others are poorly maintained so negotiating broken paving stones and debris can be a real problem.

At the end of the exercise I feel I have achieved my objectives.......all leaflets delivered, calories burnt off!, and maybe more toned thighs  - I wish.........  time for feet up and a cup of tea....:)

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?