Blue, Roxy, other exercisers??

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-16-2005
Blue, Roxy, other exercisers??
105
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 11:21am

I have a couple of questions for all the exercisers/fitness gurus on the board. I have been working out with weights a few times a week. Normally I use 5 pd. dumbbells for my arms. As you know, Blue, I carry my weight in my upper body.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 4:19pm

How about this? When I come in July I will bring my computer with all 2700 some odd songs on it. We will make huge playlists for you to work out to. You can pull them off the disks onto your MP3 player and just rock out to your heart's content! I am sure I will have something that you will like.

If you keep up with the weights, you will eventually slim down and become lean on top. Promise. Women have a hard time building bulk because of estrogen, etc. and a lack of testosterone. We become long and lean. The problem is that it takes at least 6-8 weeks minimally to show signs of real improvement. People in this day and age will not put in the time to show the improvement. It really takes time. I will also show you some of the things that I do. It only takes me about 3-5 Melissa Etherdige songs to get through my lifting and core work. I have dropped from a size 12 to a size 4-6 and dropped a bra size.
I even have significant definition in my arms and shoulders that I am quite proud of for a 52 year old woman like me.

As I told you before, "there is no magic, there are no secrets. We all begin this race from the start." :)

Love to talk about this, as you can see. It is one of my passions-people's fitness, but mostly they don't want to hear the message, they just want the pill.

That's my take on the subject. I am sure that Roxy will jump in here later. I don't go to a gym and she does. She will know more about the machines, etc., if that is where you want to go. You might also consider bumping the weight up a little, especially if that is easy.

Hugs

Blue

BLUE DIA
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 6:05pm

"If you keep up with the weights, you will eventually slim down and become lean on top. Promise. Women have a hard time building bulk because of estrogen, etc. and a lack of testosterone. We become long and lean."

I will echo Blue here. The more muscle you have, the more efficiently you burn the fat. I tend to be lean on top and will add weight on hips, legs and thighs (classic girl body). Keep in mind too, muscles "pump" up for a few hours after lifting. Is this correct Blue?

What you eat really matters though. Limit anything highly processed and do away with whites: sugar, flour, rice, potatoes. I only do very very complex carbs and watch the glycemic index because my blood sugar gets affected and that affects my mood. I have to stay away from alcohol because it is a depressant and i will not play around with anything that may trigger a clinical depression (mid 20s). No food 2 hours before bedtime takes care of waist/belly area due to stress hormones (cortisol) being elevated at night. Cortisol will deposit fat near liver for fight/flight. Do all that and watch your skin glow, expect your libido to get higher and you to purrr like a kitten or strut around like a tiger..depending on how you ID...LOL!

Do some cardio too! Let us know how you are doing.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2006
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 6:48pm

Whats frustrating to me is the fact that in years past I could 'walk off' my weight really easily. Until I met Kirche I never went to the gym I simply walked 5 days a week for about 40 mins, less food and I was go to go .


Now we barely have time to squeeze in the gym for 30 mins and while I am doing the treadmill and eliptical, I cant seem to lose a pound. Hell I have gained weight!

 PPCLSIG.jpg picture by CalyD44

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2006
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 6:51pm

Hmmm I like you carry my weight down low.

 PPCLSIG.jpg picture by CalyD44

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 6:57pm
"Things that worked so well 10 years ago though no longer seem to have any effect." I hear ya! That staying away from refined foods and anything with sugar or corn syrup works.. and get protein with EVERY meal.. plus be sure to eat a big breakfast.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 8:07pm

Amen, Roxy.

Keep in mind too, muscles "pump" up for a few hours after lifting. Is this correct Blue?
Yeah, and I, for one, really like that pumped up look. It's not real masculine(but can be and that's okay), but it is so cut and I like that look on me and other women. Not that I don't like soft, sensual women. Oh, He$$, I am not going to be able to get myself out of this one.

The diet is critical. In fact, this just can't be done separately. You will truly find yourself back sliding without the combo. I no longer eat junk food, but I really like a piece or two of chocolate a day, so I buy the bite sized ones to hold the line. All the teachers in my building know where the chocolate(especially dark) fiend is and will come to my room for it. I probably average two desparate teachers a day, mostly women, but some of the guys, too. Every once in awhile, I will stop at Burger King for a Whopper Junior---we are not built for a Whopper and should not be eating it EVER. Alcohol-yeah, tough one. I have been known to have a few, but I also know it is really difficult to get rid of those calories, so I usually don't eat when I drink. They seem to just hang on me. I try to eat complex carbs also, and get my simple in the form of fruit. I am also going a little heavy on the protein these days, because I do want to increase my muscle size and definition. I get my fat from the good fats like peanut butter and olive oil. I also like a good ice cream once in awhile. Stop eating thousand calorie salads. Forget the eggs, ham, and cheese on it. Have servers bring the dressing on the side and dip lightly.

Now, Caly, I am answering your post here. It is all about the time. Minimum of 40 minutes cardio, babe, every day or 6 days per week, and add in some lifting while you are watching TV every other day. I do the bands because I get full range of motion and they are way eaiser to pack in my suitcase than 15lb. dumbbells. I have no idea what the ratio of bands to free weights is. lol And the younger crack. You cut me to the quick. You will ALWAYS be younger than me and I will just have to get over it!!! lol
As we get older, this must become a focus for us. If there was one book I would recommend it is Younger Next Year for Women(pink cover, of cours) by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, MD. Really good.

Wow, you really got me started. I can only speak for myself here, but when I was finally able to take this seriously, it has worked wonders. I need less sleep, concentrate better(at least when I am not thinking about M), look better-many of my dh's colleagues have told him I have a boyfriend---if they only knew! and my colleagues are wondering the same. lol My joints feel better(I also take chondroiton), my cholesterol is down, heartrate down, blood pressure tantalizingly low, and I move so fluidly when I umpire that it is scary.

Sorry this is so long, but I am passionate, as I said before, about women, their health and fitness. Find out what works for you and stick to it. Ladies, this is what I know and it is part of my job. C'mon, be part of the wave for positive health. Roxy, Passion, the others here who work our faithfully, and I are waiting for you!!

Hugs to all, my favorite women.

Blue

BLUE DIA
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 8:14pm

I forgot, Roxy is right about not eating before bed. I don't eat anything, unless I can't help it, after 6pm. They did this awesome study on women and diet. All other variables staying the same, they gave the same amount of calories to two different groups of women at different times. Those who got the majority of their calories before three pm maintained or lost weight, and those after 3 pm gained. Something to think about.

Oh, I forgot, when you exercise, you need to get your heart into the Target Heart Zone. To figure this out, take your age and subtract if from 220. Then multiply it by .65. Do it again and multply it by .85. This will give you the range that your heartrate should be in during cardio. The lower in is for fitness, the higher is for athletes. I work toward the higher end, because I am a driven idiot. Most should shoot for the middle.

Hugs

Blue

BLUE DIA
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 8:30pm

Yeah, yeah, I know you have sworn off women for two years. But will just marry me now??!!!! lol I'll bring home the groceries, feed the cats, find the remote, bring you a soda(no alcohol), clean the bathroom, light the candles, put on something....... :)

Just kidding.

Hugs

Blue

BLUE DIA
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 8:32pm

"Yeah, and I, for one, really like that pumped up look. It's not real masculine(but can be and that's okay), but it is so cut and I like that look on me and other women."

Yeah i like the look and feel of the pumped up muscle too. It is very feminine on me. Legs, butt. Feels good and you feel the tightness all day. I spin a lot with focus on strength training. But get goo cardio. Best antidepressant ever.

I do love to get sleep though. Eight hours is perfect for me...and I get up at 5 am to get workou in. That way i dont have a chance to talk myself out of it. I am too sleepy...lol!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-05-2007
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 8:34pm
LOL!!! What prompted this? LOL was it the work out talk???LOL!! Aww you are so sweet Blue. What are trying to do, melt me??!!

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