Health Nut - Keep Moving

Photo credit: keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

I am quite unfortunate when it comes to being active the whole day. My work is a desk-job kind of thing so I only get to enjoy walking or other strenuous activities when I have to go to other buildings in the compound. So, burning calories is quite difficult to achieve. However, studies show that even the slightest movement or activity can trigger calorie-burning action. For example, using the stairs instead of the lift, running or sprinting towards the restroom or walking to another room where your colleagues are instead of calling them. These are little things which can also add up on your weight loss goals.

Keep moving! If you cannot do an hour stretch of intensive exercise due to lack of time, try squeezing 10-20 minutes of running, brisk-walking, jogging, aerobics or any exercise routine that you do. Try to include 2-3 minutes of sprint as intervals and you'll be surprised to know that these little things will add up to something in the long run.

Thinner Thighs

Isn't this a common dream of the other half of the female population who are born with fuller figure? I dream of having thin thighs too but in a healthier vision of "thin." I think I must term it aptly as "toner thighs."

I used to be very thin before hitting mid-30's. I could fit in a size 0 or 1 jeans even after delivery. I was that skinny but things changed in my body. I got rounder and flabby. My thighs grew like big logs and I didn't know why and how. I just knew that one day, I could not fit into any of my normal jeans. I had to buy a bigger size now.

However, don't despair if you're in the same boat as I am. There are ways to slim and trim your flabby thighs but you have to commit to a regular exercise and proper eating habits.

1. Run or go for regular walks
Endurance sports build certain muscle fibers which does not bulk up. It makes your legs toner and firmer. Start your regular walk and then progress into jogging later on as you build up your endurance.

2. Do squats
If you are seated most of the time in the office, take a breather and stand. Use the back of your chair as support and do squats or side lifts. I normally do this in the office without a care.

3. Engage in Pilates
These workouts are designed to stretch and tone the muscles minus the bulky part.  However, doing Pilates alone cannot make your thighs slim. Combine this with other cardio routines and proper nutrition.

4. Weight Training
Adding this routine to your workout will help tone and firm your thighs especially if you concentrate on the leg areas. Body fat is burned during exercise and adding weight training to your exercise can speed up the fat-burning process and will help in making your thighs leaner and more shapely.

5. Eat properly
Remove junk food in your eating equation and replace them with healthier options like fruits, vegetables and lean meat. Minimize the intake of sodium and drink more water to eliminate water retention.

6. Climb the stairs
Use the stairs often than the elevator if you can. Lightly running up and down the stairs help burn out fats and will make your thighs firmer and leaner.

I Lost a Kilo!

A kilo is a kilo! And I am happy to lose it with sheer determination, proper eating habits and regular exercise. I say, it is a slow weight loss considering my health conditions but I am happy to do it the normal way without the help of medications to burn the fats. I burned my own fat the old school way - running! Yes, my knees ache a little because of the weight those babies are carrying around but sticking to my doctor's order to eat properly and cut out the oily food aided too.

I am in for this and there are more weight to lose. I just have to keep focused and follow strictly the doctor's advise and I should be fit and healthy in no time. Crossing fingers to that!

Missed Running

I have not run for the past week because of work demands. My body is just too tired to go through another strenuous activity.

I tried jumping around and stationary walking just to keep the blood pumping. However, running gives me a different kind of high. I feel that when I walk and run, I am actually maximizing my exercise. I lose weight fast like I have taken the best diet pills available in the market.

My body is asking for more serious running and walking. I sort of miss that regimen which actually aided my weight loss goal.

Half An Hour Run

I ran for half an hour today. I didn't want to go more than that since my knees would give up. I still have plenty of weight to lose so I am taking it slowly but surely.

I put the treadmill on level 2 incline to give my run more oomph and substance. I wore an elastic band around my waist to encourage sweating specially on my waist area which is my main problem. After the half an hour run, I ate a meatloaf sandwich and downed 2 full glasses of water to re-hydrate myself.

A lot of people can do an hour stretch of running but I cannot subject myself to that. I have read in the web that if you run right away without building your stamina, you will only get injuries. Also, I have checked the web for the best weight loss supplements available in the market to aid my weight loss; apart from drinking green tea. I am also taking omega 3 fatty acid as a supplement to help my joints and heart.

I still have a long way to go. Like I always tell everybody, I don't mind the slow, steady pace as long as I get to my goal the healthy and proper way.

Burn Baby! Burn!

Before you think ahead, no, it's not my rendition of one of the popular songs of the 70's. I am talking about wanting to burn belly fat. I have gained significant amount of weight during the past year and I am slowly shedding it off. Like the adage goes, slowly but surely and that is what I am doing right now.

I have been regularly walking my Millie and running at the treadmill at least twice a week for half an hour. My weight budges ever so slowly probably because my metabolism has slowed down due to age. Anyway, I have kept track of my eating habits and what I actually put in my mouth every meal. I must say, this taking down notes on the food I eat really works like a charm because whenever I am about to take chips and sodas, I am reminded of the kind of food entry I will put in the diary and that is bad! Shame on me! So, I stick to this practice and I am good.

How to Slim a Little (or a lot) before the Holidays

Holidays spell gift-giving and opening of presents, being with family and dear friends, having parties and merriment. Holidays also bring about expanding waistlines because of the nice, sumptuous meals we are all going to have.

That can be avoided if we are determined to focus all our energies (rather than utilize it by drinking and eating unwittingly) in eating the proper food and drinking the necessary drinks over the holidays.

• First, let's be realistic with our goals. Oftentimes, when we set out goals like, "I want to lose 20 pounds by 24 December 2008" and it's already December 1st tomorrow, we are just making it hard on ourselves. Let's face it, unless you have a properly-functioning metabolism (then that means you don't need to lose weight because you are already burning calories) like some very genetically-blessed people then you can say, "yes, I will lose that 20 kilos in 3 weeks!" Much as I want to salute the person who will say that for the bravado and confidence, our bodies cannot lose weight as fast as we want it to because that will be detrimental to our own health. Try putting an achievable number of pounds to lose as a goal per week, like a pound or 2 for a week. Now that's being realistic.
• Second, I believe on not putting myself up on any hunger-strike. Our body has it's own defense mechanism. If we starve it, it will save our fats for heat and that won't help our purpose of slimming down. Our bodies should be fueled like any other machine. A car won't run without gas and so is our body. Eat!
• Take few small portions of meals in a day. That should keep your blood sugar lever on an even keel.
• I have been bad on this one for the past few weeks. I normally don't allow myself to grab a piece of chips but lately I have been gorging chips and drinking sodas like I was a fish in a soda tank! Very bad! So, skip the bad stuff and nibble on healthy food like baby carrots (this is my fave munchies), cucumber slices (I normally dip this in vinegar), dried apricots or prunes, green and red apples and some seedless grapes.
• Skip the dressings, gravies and butter! When you are tempted to sprinkle salt, just ask for the other condiment. "Pass the pepper please."
• Exercise at least 4 times in a week or whatever will suit your lifestyle. I run on the treadmill 4 times in a week for 20 mins. I also insert a 2-3 minutes of sprint to pump up my cardio. I have not tried strength training yet as I figure out how to maximize my running routine.
• Take a walk. Use the stairs. Walk your dog. Keep moving! Be active! Do something. Even gardening can burn some of your calories.
• Sleep at least 8 hours daily. If you are sleep-deprived at night, try having power naps then exercise.
• Drink plenty of water.

Sooner or later, you'll see yourself slimmer (and healthier) than ever! Happy Holidays and easy on those minced pies and Yule logs, OK?