Aa
How to do this...
I need to lose the fat around my mid-section.. Any help?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I've said for years that if I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself!! Sounds like you have a wonderful family. My hubby and I have been married for nearly 45 yrs.
Some medications can cause sudden weight gain, but usually not that much in so short a time; have you ever been tested for hypothyroidism? You need to have TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 - many doctors use only TSH for screening so a lot of people go undiagnosed. Just prior to my diagnosis, I gained 30 pounds in just under 3 months and still had to beg my doctor to test me.
I know what you mean about not recognizing yourself...... been there, done that. I recently had my driver's license renewed and I really had to wonder where that fat neck came from! LOL
It is hard to go shopping sometimes. Of course, I'm even older than you, so I gave up the low slung bell bottoms and halter tops, long before I gained weight, but it would be nice to know I could still wear them, if I chose to.
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It's main functions are to help with proper glucose metabolism;
regulate blood pressure; insulin release for blood sugar maintenance and immune function. Those are some of the good things.
It actually works on a diurnal cycle - supposed to be highest in the morning when we are waking up and getting ready for the day (that old "get up and go") and lowest in the evening, when we are supposed to be winding down for sleep, when the relaxation response "should" take over.
Some of us end up getting stuck in a constant state of stress, and lose the relaxation response, so cortisol levels remain high, all the time. High levels of cortisol can suppress thyroid function (your thyroid controls metabolism, heart rate, body temp, and more) and cause increased abdominal fat, among other things.
We know that excess belly fat is not good and contributes to heart attack, stroke, type II diabetes, higher cholesterol, etc.
Here's a site you might want to check out:
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm
Because cortisol affect blood sugar balance, it's always good to keep tabs on blood sugar levels in order to avoid high levels of insulin, which is considered the "fat storage hormone".
Some medications can cause sudden weight gain, but usually not that much in so short a time; have you ever been tested for hypothyroidism? You need to have TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 - many doctors use only TSH for screening so a lot of people go undiagnosed. Just prior to my diagnosis, I gained 30 pounds in just under 3 months and still had to beg my doctor to test me.
I know what you mean about not recognizing yourself...... been there, done that. I recently had my driver's license renewed and I really had to wonder where that fat neck came from! LOL
It is hard to go shopping sometimes. Of course, I'm even older than you, so I gave up the low slung bell bottoms and halter tops, long before I gained weight, but it would be nice to know I could still wear them, if I chose to.
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It's main functions are to help with proper glucose metabolism;
regulate blood pressure; insulin release for blood sugar maintenance and immune function. Those are some of the good things.
It actually works on a diurnal cycle - supposed to be highest in the morning when we are waking up and getting ready for the day (that old "get up and go") and lowest in the evening, when we are supposed to be winding down for sleep, when the relaxation response "should" take over.
Some of us end up getting stuck in a constant state of stress, and lose the relaxation response, so cortisol levels remain high, all the time. High levels of cortisol can suppress thyroid function (your thyroid controls metabolism, heart rate, body temp, and more) and cause increased abdominal fat, among other things.
We know that excess belly fat is not good and contributes to heart attack, stroke, type II diabetes, higher cholesterol, etc.
Here's a site you might want to check out:
http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm
Because cortisol affect blood sugar balance, it's always good to keep tabs on blood sugar levels in order to avoid high levels of insulin, which is considered the "fat storage hormone".
Wow - Thanks for all the great advice. Just to fill you in - I'm 55! Never thought I would live past 30 and now my oldest is going to be. My Babe and I have been married for 37 years and have three kids; all 4 yrs apart. (We lost our first and last)
Honestly though, a few years ago, I was quite stressed and I believe that the meds they put me on caused me to gain weight. About 60 pounds in 3-4 months. I couldn't even breathe! I lost some of it but have been carrying around the rest for a while now. It's crazy to not recognize yourself in pictures or even the mirror! I think I can shop for clothes and try on things that I used to always wear but... the Horror! And hey it's bad enough to be fat but then I started noticing all those "old" things. Where did the girl in the low-cut bell-bottoms and tie-dyed halter tops go? Oh well, we are going to do the best we can to get healthy. Could you elaborate about the cortisol? I do not believe that I have ever heard of it. I have had a stroke and a heart attack and I am not ready to sit drooling in a nursing home or keep going without my Babe. Although I've got to admit that with the way the world is getting (and by world I guess I mean people), I think I am quite content to be heading down the other side of the hill - the sooner the better!
Honestly though, a few years ago, I was quite stressed and I believe that the meds they put me on caused me to gain weight. About 60 pounds in 3-4 months. I couldn't even breathe! I lost some of it but have been carrying around the rest for a while now. It's crazy to not recognize yourself in pictures or even the mirror! I think I can shop for clothes and try on things that I used to always wear but... the Horror! And hey it's bad enough to be fat but then I started noticing all those "old" things. Where did the girl in the low-cut bell-bottoms and tie-dyed halter tops go? Oh well, we are going to do the best we can to get healthy. Could you elaborate about the cortisol? I do not believe that I have ever heard of it. I have had a stroke and a heart attack and I am not ready to sit drooling in a nursing home or keep going without my Babe. Although I've got to admit that with the way the world is getting (and by world I guess I mean people), I think I am quite content to be heading down the other side of the hill - the sooner the better!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Some of us do tend to add weight, as we get older - not sure your age, though.
Certainly, exercise and a healthy diet will get/keep in good health, so don't stop, no matter what. You may have some loose skin after losing, but there are things you can do to minimize it. Toning your muscles should help.
Yoga is one of the best toning exercises I know of. It centers on "core" strength, breathing and balance. Sometimes, just the way we carry ourselves, makes a huge difference in how we look. Keeping your neck, shoulders and back straight vs slouching, can go a long way. There are actually exercises you can do to tone the neck/chin area, which might help with the turkey neck.
Don't feel bad about the breasts falling sideways when you lay down - that's the natural result of gravity, and only those who unendowed don't have to worry about that!! LOL A good well fitting bra, should hold them in place. Might be a good idea to get a professional fit, just once, so you know what your best size/style is. Many major department stores have people who can help with that. I learned that a good bra makes a world of difference. They aren't cheap, but they're worth it.
The eyelid issue is a medical one, though I can't remember what it's called, right now. My mother-in-law had to have hers surgically reduced, because she couldn't see.
Walking, along with yoga, will help tone the butt, hips, and legs. Aim for 30 minutes/day, if you can, but at least 30 minutes/3 times/week.
There are tons of yoga dvd's you can buy - The Biggest Loser, Yoga for Weight Loss is one of the best, but there are others, as well. Plus you can watch a lot of them online, so you don't have to buy dvds. There might also be a yoga channel on TV.
Food wise, make sure you stick with lots of veggies, lean protein, low/no fat dairy. Drink lots of water, etc. One thing to keep in mind is that if you lose the weight too quickly, the loose skin may be more prominent. Loss of 1-2 pounds/week is considered safe.
Congratulations to your husband for quitting smoking. That's not an easy thing to do, but will help him in the long run. Most people gain some weight, when they quit smoking. We tend to eat in order to fulfill that "hand to mouth" action we get while smoking. Additionally, quitting smoking is stressful, which may have caused some excess cortisol, which in turn, causes a larger belly. Insulin resistance/type II diabetes can also cause the belly, so he might want to get checked. A low glycemic diet, that won't spike blood sugars is best.
Hope this helps a bit. We'll be here, to cheer you on.
Certainly, exercise and a healthy diet will get/keep in good health, so don't stop, no matter what. You may have some loose skin after losing, but there are things you can do to minimize it. Toning your muscles should help.
Yoga is one of the best toning exercises I know of. It centers on "core" strength, breathing and balance. Sometimes, just the way we carry ourselves, makes a huge difference in how we look. Keeping your neck, shoulders and back straight vs slouching, can go a long way. There are actually exercises you can do to tone the neck/chin area, which might help with the turkey neck.
Don't feel bad about the breasts falling sideways when you lay down - that's the natural result of gravity, and only those who unendowed don't have to worry about that!! LOL A good well fitting bra, should hold them in place. Might be a good idea to get a professional fit, just once, so you know what your best size/style is. Many major department stores have people who can help with that. I learned that a good bra makes a world of difference. They aren't cheap, but they're worth it.
The eyelid issue is a medical one, though I can't remember what it's called, right now. My mother-in-law had to have hers surgically reduced, because she couldn't see.
Walking, along with yoga, will help tone the butt, hips, and legs. Aim for 30 minutes/day, if you can, but at least 30 minutes/3 times/week.
There are tons of yoga dvd's you can buy - The Biggest Loser, Yoga for Weight Loss is one of the best, but there are others, as well. Plus you can watch a lot of them online, so you don't have to buy dvds. There might also be a yoga channel on TV.
Food wise, make sure you stick with lots of veggies, lean protein, low/no fat dairy. Drink lots of water, etc. One thing to keep in mind is that if you lose the weight too quickly, the loose skin may be more prominent. Loss of 1-2 pounds/week is considered safe.
Congratulations to your husband for quitting smoking. That's not an easy thing to do, but will help him in the long run. Most people gain some weight, when they quit smoking. We tend to eat in order to fulfill that "hand to mouth" action we get while smoking. Additionally, quitting smoking is stressful, which may have caused some excess cortisol, which in turn, causes a larger belly. Insulin resistance/type II diabetes can also cause the belly, so he might want to get checked. A low glycemic diet, that won't spike blood sugars is best.
Hope this helps a bit. We'll be here, to cheer you on.
I understand that you cant spot reduce but dang! I DO want to lose all over but after being pretty fit but overweight since my last child 20 yrs ago, all of a sudden, everything is falling apart. I now have an "apron" of flab that hangs down under my belly button! That wasn't there during my five pregnancies or for 15 years after. Now I have that, flabby bat-wing arms, a turkey neck, the beginning of jowls and deformed calves in my legs. My big behind with climbing love handles came out of nowhere. It isn't even pillow soft; it is more like a lumpy sack of potatoes. My breasts aren't too bad except there is no bra in the world that can keep them up where they belong and when I lie on my back, they fall over to my sides. Oh yeah, and I can barely see to read anymore because my eyelids are too hard to hold up. My daughter is getting married in 4 months and my husband & I have started getting serious about not embarrassing her with our appearance. We are dieting, exercising and walking. My question is will losing weight really help any of these "spots" that need help? Even if I lose the fat in my "apron", I am still going to have loose skin hanging there, aren't I? Along with all the other places that I have trouble.
My husband who quit his 4 pack a day habit cold in a week about 4 and a half years ago scares me too. He has never touched alcohol but after he quit smoking, he developed this very protruding belly although I believe he eats even less than he did before. I have heard that this is a front-runner to heart attacks. What can we do?
Any thoughts? Thanks.
My husband who quit his 4 pack a day habit cold in a week about 4 and a half years ago scares me too. He has never touched alcohol but after he quit smoking, he developed this very protruding belly although I believe he eats even less than he did before. I have heard that this is a front-runner to heart attacks. What can we do?
Any thoughts? Thanks.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You can't "spot reduce", therefore, you will need to implement a diet and exercise plan that will allow you to lose weight over all.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Weight Loss and Fitness Community
14 super-healthy foods that are worth the hype
Small changes make a big impact with these easy ways to cut hundreds of calories a day.
Forget the fountain of youth – try flossing instead! Here are 11 surprising ways to live longer.
From STD tests to mammograms, find out which screening tests you need - and when to get them.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
