I have been quite down lately about my weight, and that my middle aged spread is, well, spreading.
I’m pretty good at hiding it especially in photos, but you can see the reality in the pic above which was taken at the Redland Business and Retail Awards earlier this month.
It’s a worry when your belly sticks out almost as much as your boobs!
I don’t like the thought of dieting, but lately I’ve heard good things about seeing a naturopath for weight loss and how they can help with HcG drops.
All I know is I need to try something …
A couple of years back I got really motivated and started walking – in the great outdoors, and on a treadmill – and lost 5 kilograms. I felt great! Even better, I was in top condition to do lots of sightseeing and exploring when we went overseas last year.
I still go for regular morning walks but nowadays it doesn’t seem to help my weight. In fact that 5 kilos has come back, and brought a couple of friends π .
Middle Aged Spread – a Health Issue
It’s not just a matter of not liking the way I look at the moment – it’s also pretty important for my health, especially as I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiac disease runs in the family. So I really need to do something about it, and sooner rather than later.
Which is where you come in! I’ve realised that the secret to beating the middle aged spread – and keeping it off – is to find some form or exercise or physical activity that I *love*.
It needs to be something that I can do regularly – say, at least 3 times a week, if not daily. Something that I look forward to.
But what?!
Now remember, I have bursitis in the shoulder and a dodgy knee, which means jogging, running and swimming are out (skiing too but not much chance of being able to do that 3 times a week in Queensland, LOL).
I’ve never been particularly coordinated or sporty for that matter, so I’m a bit of a novice at pretty much everything sport and exercise related!
We have bikes and do ride them occasionally, but clearly not often enough.
So that’s my dilemma. Can you help me think outside the box and find some type of physical activity or exercise that I can fall in love with?
Do you have any great ideas to help me in battling the middle aged spread?!
Libby Boyle says
For me, it’s swimming twice a week and yoga on Friday mornings. I find yoga is great for toning muscles and strengthening my back which can be a little dodgy at times. The other thing yoga is good for is retreats … to Bali and other fabulous places! I’d definitely give yoga a go to see if you like it. Another thing I’ve done is tried to cut out the treats with my coffee and really cut back on my bread intake to almost zero. Works for me. I’ve also bought myself a Nanna shopping trolley and I now walk to the shops to get the grocery bits and pieces. Oh, and we bought Fitbits for each other last Christmas, made us just a tad competitive.
Melinda says
Oh that is a bit of a pickle. I was going to suggest bushwalking or going up and down a mountain once a week but not sure how that would go with your knee. Otherwise pilates is excellent- it’s like a moving yoga and will definitely work your muscles. Also try and see if you can swap out any not so great foods for more healthy things. Biscuits for nuts and dried fruit or something like that??
Good luck- sounds like you’re on a mission and that’s half the battle!
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
I’ll going to be following the suggestions in your comments with interest. I’m in the same boat as you. Thanks to my dodgy knee I gave up my gym membership about 6 months ago and my middle age spread is starting to show! I’m looking for another form of exercise not including running or walking.
Snoskred says
I personally love Aqua Aerobics. You can get in the water and push yourself to your limit and have zero aches and pains the next day, which I think is a huge bonus.
I have a TomTom Cardio Spark watch which can go in the pool, and on average I burn between 350-500 calories in an Aqua Aerobics class. I add in some aqua jogging to burn a few more calories. π
I find that swimming just does not get my heart rate to where it needs to be, but Aqua Aerobics or aqua jogging always does.
Denyse says
I hear you and understand. What I have found is walking…the only thing that is free and in the fresh air…is my body’s friend. I also tell myself it is not about ‘having to’ but ‘wanting to’ so I make it about using my senses to enjoy what I see rather than it being about ‘gotta do this to lose weight’. The right fitted shoes (for me it’s Brooks Addiction) and with my orthotics inside, and good (really good) padded socks it makes the walk better all round. I also like to drive to places so that my walks vary the scenes and sights. It costs nothing! From what I have heard it is the weight bearing part of walking that is the benefit which is why swimming and other ones in water are not so helpful for what are wanting to achieve. Good luck!
Denise says
Denise’s must think alike! I tell myself I “get to”, like its a prize ?
Vanessa says
I have the exact same problem – the most I do is walk in my lunch breaks but it’s just not that fun. I don’t really enjoy most exercise so I don’t know what to choose.
Trish says
Core and strength classes are good . I have dodgey knees but I can still run slowly.
I enjoy yoga too.
It’s quite alarming no matter what I do to stay active the killergrams stay put.
Renee Wilson says
I think you should give the aqua aerobics a go. A lot of younger women do it at our local pool. I think you’d love it π Great music and all.
Jo @ You had us at hello says
Oh I’ve slakened off to Janet! Damn that cold cold weather!! Last night me and my man polished off a Cadbury family size block! Shocking, but it was sooo good. I’d say yoga for the win. Embrace your curves, I think you look gorgeous in that picture above. When the sun comes back you’ll know what to do. You’ll want that exercised, drink loads of water and eat salads feeling again. I can’t wait for it myself π #teamIBOT
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
Oh middle-aged spread is so not nice. I walk and I’ve started going to Hypoxi (I’ll write about this soon) but I struggle to budge any weight. I think there are menopausal hormones at play. It’s tricky!
JF Gibson says
What about YouTube videos? There’s a great variety available. Some are pretty dodgy but some are really good. You can choose anything from yoga or floor pilates, to circuit workouts, low impact cardio, toning workouts – a different one every day!
Susan says
Agree. Fitness Blender has a range of good videos. Like a 10 minute upper body workout that does 10 activities for only 50 seconds with a 10 second break. That’s doable!! (disclaimer – I’ve only done this a few time myself. ha, ha!)
Nicole @ The Builders Wife says
I absolutely loved running and bootcamp, however a dodgy calf and now a heart condition means that these are no longer possible for me. 15kg later and I am desperate to find something to help me shift the spread. I don’t like the sound of aqua anything, that means swimmers and I just can’t do that at the moment, but yoga totally sounds like something I could do. Maybe Pilates as well?
Kathy Marris says
Any type of exercise is good for you, even Yoga! I make myself do some form of exercise every day. I go to the gym a few time a week (which only costs $13 per week), plus I walk or cycle at least 4 to 5 times a week. If I don’t exercise I put weight on easily but also I feel lethargic. So you just have to put 30 minutes aside a day to get off your behind and do it!
Pinky Poinker says
My stomach sticks out too. It’s horrible getting older. Walking is good all round. I’m thinking of doing a ballet class (off Youtube) to deal with it. I did five minutes of barre exercises on Monday and I haven’t been able to walk properly since my muscles hurt so much so it must have done something.
Bec Senyard says
Oh Janet, You look stunning in that red dress receiving your award. As for sport, I have no idea. I rarely exercise myself – although I do walk Esther to and back from school, carrying her school bag and pushing a pram with 2 kids in it. I went on a swing this afternoon and it really worked my arms, but I don’t think that will help your shoulder. Water aerobics and yoga sound like fun. How about a team sport?
Kathy says
Hi Janet – you know I’m going to say yoga, and if you try hot yoga you will get a cardio workout that will help to shift the spread. Plus you’ll get all the other benefits. You will probably need to modify due to your shoulder and possibly knee but that’s ok – yoga is not a competitive sport! Maybe you could try power walking if jogging is too much on your knee. If you can find a friend so you can motivate each other with walks and classes together, all the better. Congrats on your award BTW! Well done.
Ashleigh Mills says
I mix it up. I train with Cantoo and usually do an ocean swim event or a run each year. I love yoga as well. I recently did Sam Woods 28 program which was great. 28 mins of exercises you can do at home. For me, food is the issue. I eat well, just too much. I have about 8 kilo to lose since I went on anti depressants.
Susan says
Hi Janet,
I also am struggling but I love jogging. Only problem is if I have a headache I end up with a migraine after jogging. I need to tell myself walking is still worthwhile. But both of them involve getting out of the house and you can clear your head, meditate, listen to music, see something different along your route.
My other big deal is realising I can’t eat the same way I did when I was 20 and this is my biggest struggle. I need to tell myself to have bikkies, dessert stuff only on the weekend, not every day of the week!! I can exercise but if I am still eating this high energy food I really am wasting my time. That’s what I tell myself!!
Susan says
And further more!! I used a food /exercise app for a while (then I lost interest) but this opened my eyes to how much energy was in a hot chocolate for eg, and how much exercise I had to do to burn that off!!! Stick with normal food that fills your belly and has good nutrition as well.
Lorraine Davis says
Hi Janet. Gaining weight is an absolute pest but do what you can now as in 20 years times (which is where I am!!) it is much, much harder. Enjoy whatever exercises you can do a few times a week until you feel fitter whilst increasing your water intake and reducing all flour and sugar products as much as possible. Sounds boring but it works. I’d lose more if I didn’t enjoy my red wine but who’s perfect…..Lorraine1
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks for the tips Lorraine! I’ve gotten back into walking every day and am finding that quite enjoyable. When the weather warms up I hope to get back into aqua aerobics, hopefully my recurring ear infections will settle down. I know I’m a bit of a sugar junkie so am trying to cut back. Gosh, it’s hard enough now … I can’t imagine it getting harder to lose weight as I get older!