Over 50 waist whittling

[dortar]

I turned 50 this year. I work out 3-6 times per week, and do a mix of swimming, elliptical, stationary bike, weight lifting, and walking. I eat less now than I have in the past. . .no random splurging on pizzas and burgers, more veggies and fruit, and less alcohol. . .yet I find my waist is growing! My weight hasn't really changed--I now have that roll of fat above my waistline that pooches over my jeans. What steps can I take to reduce that? or, as my mother warned me, is it inevitable?

[Artemis Windsong]

Do you do planks? A plank is the men's push up position, abs tight and hold for as long as you can. This can be done from the forearms, also. In plank position, bend one knee slightly then straighten and bend the other and straighten. In plank position slightly lift the hips and return to position. The lift can be done all the way to Yoga downward dog position and return to plank.

Plank bridge is lift opposite arm and opposite leg and hold then switch sides.

Do both sides. Side plank is either arm extended or resting on the forearm, hips lifted off the floor. Side plank and hold. Hold with top arm extended up. Side plank with a slight pulse up with the hip. Side plank with a twist under with the top arm. Youtube or Fitbe will have videos.

Even more challenging is doing the prone plank with hands on a bosu ball or a weighted ball.

I hope this helps. The waist area is one of my difficult spots, also.

[pig]

There is no exercise for it and no exercise is going to do anything for it. It's a normal product of weight loss, although you said you haven't lost any weight. There is nothing that would cause what you describe that wouldn't have a weight change as the cause. I'll go under the assumption that you previously lost weight and now you've leveled off.

Where you're carrying more weight the fat in your belly is tight pushing out against the skin. When you lose weight the fat no longer pushes out against the sking causing the "pouchy" appearance with loose skin. The only thing you can do about it is decrease your food intake or increase your total exercise. When you lose most of the fat the pouch will go away. Depending upon how big your pouch is you could benefit from cutting gels on the area.

Some weight loss products that could help you are cortisol blocker, thermogenics and energy caps. Good luck!

"yet I find my waist is growing!"

I find that as my ass and legs grow my pants become tighter....even at the waist.

[Deleted]

I find that as my ass and legs grow my pants become tighter....even at the waist.

Have you ever ripped your shirt and pants like the Incredible Hulk?

[pig]

No my wife would kill me! She tells me when clothes are getting too tight and won't let me wear them.

[Deleted]

She won't let you wear tight clothes? That's awesome! It is a good thing my husband doesn't have that rule for me. LOL. ;D

[Deleted]

Jun 15, 2011 17:33:17 GMT -5 dortar said:

I turned 50 this year. I work out 3-6 times per week, and do a mix of swimming, elliptical, stationary bike, weight lifting, and walking.

You cannot out exercise a bad diet.
Try to find you proper calorie range, then weigh/measure & log your food to see how much you are actually eating.

[busymom]

I have lost a lot of weight in the past. (Childbirth is NOT kind to a woman's body.) My body shape isn't "perfect", but I feel so much better now. My personal trainer told me the last area most people lose inches is the waist area. Apparently, to your body that's an important area to store fat to nourish your organs. I'm not saying it is impossible to improve that area of your body, but it will probably be the most difficult. Sadly, anyone over 30 is going to gain weight more easily. One of those little things that Mom didn't warn us about: as we age, we must eat less or we will gain weight (Aarghhhh!!)

[Happy prose]

I think you're describing the menopause body. After about a year, the stomach goes down. I think your weight just gets redistributed.

[pig]

You cannot out exercise a bad diet.

False. You could eat McDonalds every meal every day and if you're active enough you could still have a six pack. Diet vs exercise is 50/50 for looks. I don't buy into the diet is everything camp.

[pig]

You cannot have six pack abs eating junk food

I've done it before. I'm not saying it's "healthy" but what you eat is irrelevant if you can out exercise it as far as putting on weight.