What can be done for my flab?

[aleutsi]

I like my size and my weight just fine, but w/o clothes on I look awful. The kids have water park passes this year and I want to go with them and have fun... but I don't want to be seen like this. Can anything be done or am I permanently flabby?

I was complaining the other day to DH and called my flab fat (it's not what I really meant - I know people wouldn't consider me fat when I can wear a size 4 in pants, but I don't know what else to call what I see all over this size 4 back, butt & thighs) - I was standing there naked showing him exactly what I was talking about and he looked at those areas and said, trying to make me feel better "No, that's not fat - you are just out of shape". :sob:

So can toning it make it better - or is this just life at 36/37? I want to look healthy and fit.. not like the texture of a dumpling floating around in stew.

[Kari]

So can toning it make it better - or is this just life at 36/37? I want to look healthy and fit.. not like the texture of a dumpling floating around in stew.

I was thinking the exact same thing a couple of weeks ago - have I reached the age where flab is inevitable? I'm pretty happy with my overall size & weight, too, but not so much with my newly found tummy and love handles. Ugh.

It was receiving an invitation to a party that will be all people I only see once every 5 years or so that kicked my motivation in - I started working out 30 min/day every day with different exercises. I also cut back my "incidental" calorie intake and have been more intentional about what I'm putting into my mouth (oops - those 8 Thin Mints I just ate weren't very intentional).

Anyway, sure enough, just a week or so into it and already the flab is starting to firm up and the muffin top at my waistband is much less noticeable.

I know that my stomach will never be lovely, but I've consistently had good results firming up my legs/arms/butt. I use a combo of DVD's and my treadmill. I try not to do the same workout twice in one week because I just get too bored. It's pretty easy to find decent workout DVD's online or at Half Price Books for cheap.

For DVD's, I like Leslie Sansone, Gaiam Pilates, Gaiam Walking (like super-low impact aerobics), and a ball workout by Mindy Mylrea.

So, anyway, in a nutshell (oops - those pistachios I just ate weren't very intentional either :rofl:) I'm not very ambitious, but even just combining some not-too-demanding cardio, with light handweights, plus some strength & flexibility work like Pilates makes a pretty big difference in a relatively short time.

[Sue]

Sadly as we age out metabolism goes down, and I think we do get more flabby. BUT I think you can still get good tone. It's just takes more work. There is a woman at my gym who I saw on the treadmill from behind and thought "Man that womans got a rockin' bod!" Then I noticed wrinkly elbows (not a bad thing, but made me realize she probably wasn't in her twenties!) When I saw her from the front I realized she has to be in her 50s. So I have hope. ;)

[gfrach]

Not only that, but our skin changes, so even if we were greatly fit we would look different than a younger person in the same shape.

[Sue]

Not only that, but our skin changes, so even if we were greatly fit we would look different than a younger person in the same shape.

No kidding huh???? Even my age defying push up bra can only do so much! The skin has just lost so much elasticity. Sigh.

[Bonny]

being at the Y ... 7 days a week, it seems LOL ... I see SO many women who are MUCH much older than I am, in their workout clothes, and in the lockerroom who are fit & toned, that I have to believe it's very possible.

Definitely, our bodies change, and our metabolisms change, so if we aren't being proactive right along with the changes wrt diet and exercise, then yeah. I think things can definitely go to pot. I just see so many fit/nonflabby women in their 40's, 50's and older (who don't look like 20's - thank God! - but look very toned and fabulous) that it gives me a whole lot of hope!

[lunita]

I think it's about genetics -- just like some women get terrible stretch marks and some get none, and some get wrinkles when they are 30 and others have smooth skin at 60. I mean, of course diet and exercise will help but when it comes down to it there are certain aspects of aging that are going to hit some harder than others and the skin losing its elasticity in some degree is part of getting older.

[gfrach]

Also, pregnancy and breastfeeding have to factor in, too.

[Bonny]

oh, absolutely. I guess I was referring more to the idea that we can keep doing what we've been doing, as we age, and if that's not good enough, we're "doomed". As our bodies change, how we treat them should, as well. I definitely agree that we are all different genetically. Also, how we've treated our bodies and skin up until now has some bearing, too.

[jump4joy]

Absolutely, weight training can make a huge difference in the muscle-to-flab ratio, even if you want to stay your current size/weight. I would find some kind of weights program that will work for you - it can be at a gym or as simple as grabbing some soup cans at home to use as small dumbbells-. There's lots of articles that detail what kind of weights training you can do at home with simple items and resistance. Stretch bands are also great for home training.


I have only done basic home weights exercises using stretch cords, or doing stuff like squats, pushups, situps, etc. I'm nowhere near a size 4 (hah, I wish!!!) but at 42 (this month!), I think I've kept reasonable muscle tone.

This is my favorite kind of weight lifting :p
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1080/583582085_2607577a46.jpg

[aleutsi]

Absolutely, weight training can make a huge difference in the muscle-to-flab ratio, even if you want to stay your current size/weight. I would find some kind of weights program that will work for you - it can be at a gym or as simple as grabbing some soup cans at home to use as small dumbbells-. There's lots of articles that detail what kind of weights training you can do at home with simple items and resistance. Stretch bands are also great for home training.


I have only done basic home weights exercises using stretch cords, or doing stuff like squats, pushups, situps, etc. I'm nowhere near a size 4 (hah, I wish!!!) but at 42 (this month!), I think I've kept reasonable muscle tone.

This is my favorite kind of weight lifting :p
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1080/583582085_2607577a46.jpg


Thanks everyone!

Robin, you look wonderful.. I tell ya, I'd rather be a larger size and look as toned and radiant as you do than have a small frame with dimply/saggy flesh.

Genetically, I know how this will progress by looking at my paternal grandmother - I remember most of her stages and how her thighs aged. I've always looked like her, just a few years back - or so everyone and pictures say - and my thighs and back are following in her footsteps. She was active (still is!) but she didn't do workouts to keep toned or do purposeful exercises and she doesn't go on walks.

She doesn't look bad... I'd just like to do a little better with my back & thigh genetics. Ga! I sound so shallow!

:bag:

[jump4joy]

See, and I would soooo love to be a smaller size! It's just a pain to be a runner and weigh 160 lbs. My friends who are 125 pounds or so just have such an easier time running, even if we're the same fitness level it's just easier on their bodies to not be pushing 35 more pounds against gravity for 10 miles.


Robin, you look wonderful.. I tell ya, I'd rather be a larger size and look as toned and radiant as you do than have a small frame with dimply/saggy flesh.

[riversprite]

Absolutely, weight training can make a huge difference in the muscle-to-flab ratio, even if you want to stay your current size/weight.

This is why I'm committing to kicking it up a notch with my weight training. I'm right around your weight right now, but I don't have NEARLY any of the muscle tone that you have. (plus, unfortunately I do have the skin of someone who has lost 70bs, yk?)
I've been doing regular cardio exercise all throughout my loss plus some fairly inconsistent weight training. I've decided that I need to make the weight training consistent enough to get results so that I can be STRONG and TONED when I get to goal, rather than just a smaller size but flabby. :p