Need to lose my pregnant-looking tummy!

iluvtolaff

iluvtolaff

New member
Ok, here goes-- don't laugh!

All of my adult life, I was very underweight. 85 pounds was my average and I looked horribly thin and unhealthy. After I left an abusive 18-year marriage I gained 10 pounds and looked better.

Now that I'm retired this past year, I have gone up to a healthy weight of 110 pounds on my 5 foot frame. I love having a healthy look. I have the rear/boobs/legs/arms I've always wanted.

Except my tummy looks like I'm 7 months pregnant and that's from sitting most of the day on the computer. I live with and care for my elderly Mother and don't get out much to do any exercise.

Is there a routine I can do in the house during Mom's nap each day? I love to dance but can't play music while she's sleeping. If there is some walking/marching/ stand-up exercises I could do, that would be great!

Any ideas??
 
Yoo-hoo! Any ideas-- anyone?
 
Sorry iluvtolaff, I don't outside of just getting up and walking around. Now, you might also instead want to target your diet as you might be more results from cutting calories there than the occassional walking around. Both would be even better! :)
 
Thank you so much, Jericho and Primevci, for your replies! I'm afraid to cut calories when I finally look so healthy but that may be what I need to do.

I do need to stay close by 24/7 so a gym is out of the question. I have been doing a short routine of marching/walking/side-steps through 2 rooms and I'm ashamed to admit I only last less than 10 minutes. I'm trying to build up to a full 30 minutes per day.

I was so-o-o-o active when working and now I'm pretty much idle all the time. This just irks me to no end! :(
 
Don't cut drasticly, just a bit and add some walking around the house. Keep a long term plan in mind and you will make it before you realize it.
 
Thanks Jericho! I just remembered Mom has an old stair-stepper that still works good. Would that help the tummy or just the legs?
 
Well, for weight loss itself it will help everywhere. Since we can't target fat, it's going to come off in a certain genetic order. Instead of thinking of it just helping one area, it will help all areas.
 
I got to thinking about my diet-- I have never had to count calories in my life-- I eat a late breakfast (more like brunch) which averages 600 calories, then the evening meal averaging around 500 calories. I eat no snacks in between.

Does this sound right or should I be cutting back-- or eating more often but smaller portions?
 
iluvtolaff said:
I got to thinking about my diet-- I have never had to count calories in my life-- I eat a late breakfast (more like brunch) which averages 600 calories, then the evening meal averaging around 500 calories. I eat no snacks in between.

Does this sound right or should I be cutting back-- or eating more often but smaller portions?
Click to expand...

My best advice? don't ever estimate anything: get the scales out and weigh everything for 2 weeks. This will show you how much your eating.

Things like cereal being 75g in a bowl instead of the advised 25g is very common, butter on bread being three or more times more then what you guess,- weigh the butter or at least measure it on a teaspoon, it will suprize you.
Portions of carbohydrares, tend always to be bigger then you think they are. Portions of protein- cheese seems to be a big one: a match box (a small match box) is a portion of cheese. It has around 250-300kcals in. Weigh your cheese first! Weigh all your meat first.
Then comes to your fruit, don't guess this- I used to, then I weighed things, fruit is a far better option for filling you up and getting your body its nutrients then a cereal bar but it still has calories, it is not something that should be guessed at.

I would say as far as eating goes, its up to you how and when you eat and different things work for different people. Grazing throughout the day can sometimes result in eating more without logging that your eating so be wary of that where as eating only twice a day can result in binge-type eating when you do eat. There really is no best option, its what works for you.

Try to get enough protein for your weight as this can help with appetite. Roughly 1.5g per KG of your body weight. A 125g steak can have around 35g or protein in, you will need to work this out. Try to also keep a balance as you are better of with a variety of protein rather then from just one source.
Complex carbs over refined- you know the drill! Plenty of fresh fruit and steamed green/red/yellow vegetables. (Potatos don't count!)

Exercise can really help to take the edge off losing weight. Can you not go out for a walk? even with your mother? even if she is in a chair? Or house cleaning to music? but going outside would be a good option as the fresh air can be a great mood booster, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Make sure your drinking enough plain water every day as many people don't and then confuse thirst for hunger. 1.5-2L is the advised rate however some may need or want more then this.
 
Summer123, thank you for your reply!

I already gauge the amount of my food down to the teaspoon/cupful, etc. so I know exactly how many calories I get each day. I am not a binge-eater. Breakfast, then supper (evening meal) and no snacks. I'm not one for snacking or sweets.

Mom can't walk so I'm stuck in the house although I do go outside, during her naps, and walk around the yard and do a few exercises then some are done indoors.

I drink water or unsweetened iced tea all day long so I know there is no confusion as to the hunger factor.

Thank you for some great advice! :)
 
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