Hi to Ian and Janet!
I've been negligent in writing this blog recently. This is exactly what happens when you don't write down goals for the week and for each day. I could use summer as an excuse, being human another and finally, probably the truth, I lost focus. But thanks to Ian for prodding and reminding me and to Janet for saying she's been inspired by the blog and SHE has lost a noticeable amount of weight so far!
Before I tell you about my progress since my last post I'd like to share with you the new addition to my regime - the HULA HOOP!!! Is this ever fun! I got the idea from the Zumba buddies who shared that zumba and belly dancing was awesome to target the core (read stronger abs and a SMALLER waistline). Zumba finished for the summer at the Y so I had to find something to rage battle against this abdominal fat. I got this 1.5 kg hula hoop at the local SportCheck store. Instructions say do no more than 2 minutes at a time, I guess it must be like interval training. Yeah, right, try and keep the thing from sliding down below your knees for 2 minutes!! And, honestly, I bet the 2 minutes max is to avoid bruising around the middle. Anyway, in a week or so the skill I had as a little girl came back and I use the hoop every day, probably about 3 sets. I vary the way I move my hips, forward back, side to side, and round and round. I also try to vary the speed - they say that the more you can change up any repetitive exercise the better. Makes sense when hoping to strengthen the core. Also, another consideration is back pain. One of the best things you can do to avoid back pain is to strengthen your abs, or your core. You will also, in this process become more agile, less likely to fall, less likely to injure yourself.
So... I've dropped another percentage point on the body fat. But now I can report that I have actually lost 4 pounds. This is pretty interesting. First, you increase muscle mass and that weighs more and your weight, or mass could very well increase. Then body fat reduces and your weight probably stays the same for a while. More muscle means more fat is burned and eventually the scales are tipped and you start to weigh less. The best news is that I have lost another inch from the abdominal measurement. This is all very slow.
I think the only way to achieve faster results is to reduce caloric intake (or to be a man, or a YOUNG woman). I've really been avoiding that, I don't want to starve myself. But, I guess, that is the next thing to work on - not starving, but reducing caloric intake.
Another thing I changed since I wrote last is that I added USANA's Proflavanol to my supplement regime, which is grape seed extract combined with vitamin C . I read that this combination helps in the weight loss process. It also helps to make blood vessel walls more pliable, having a positive influence on healthy blood flow to support optimal cardiovascular health. It would make sense that this should help me further reduce that blood pressure too...
Oh, since I last wrote I've had not one, but two quite spectacular falls off my bike, flying over the front end each time. I'm surprised I didn't break anything. My daughter outfitted my bike with a new bell (she said I really needed something like a foghorn) and a rear view mirror. Then she said there is a bubble suit in the works! So, you know what I said about a strengthened core making you less likely to fall - seems I shot that theory all to heck!! ha ha!
