How to Shrink Your Gut - menopot or other

This post is longer than usual.  It is worth the read!

OH, but yes, since we are female and over 50 years of age - menopot it is called. 
And we should not have expectations to be able to lose the menopot entirely.

Menopot Definition: Flab around the middle. Other words used to describe - 'muffin top'.
The equivalent for men over 40 and 50 = 'Gut' and 'Beer Belly'. Or 'middle-age spread' and 'spare tire'!

YES!! This is one of the reasons we want to diet. We want to lose our guts!! Our clothes do not fit as we would like, we feel 'frumpy'. We don't care as much about getting older, if we could just feel comfortable without having to wear maternity style baggy shirts. Yes, the younger women show off their pregnant tummies, but we are from the age that anything baggy = maternity wear. We do not like to be reminded of those days, our bodies were temporarily stolen from us by the parasitic-like incubating progeny. Once we have birthed our babies and moved on towards our Golden Years - we want our bodies to represent our glee! We deserve this, after all we have given. Others that have escaped pregnancy, still have challenges with the 'menopot' due to declining estrogen directing extra fat to our abdomens.

Men also wish to lose  this additional fat around the middle - apparently due to sagging egos. I imagine that they also face the mirror not quite as happily as we do, and loosening belts cause similar frustrations.

Millions of dollars are spent for miracle cures to eliminate the menopot and the equivalent male gut.
There is some good advice sprinkled through the MAGIC.
The answer is there is NO MAGIC.

As Noted at Flourish Over 50 >

Here is an excerpt from Dr. Peeke’s article on WebMD regarding Menopot, and how to battle its effects.
I’m going to assume you really want to change and you’re willing to get down to work right now. OK, before you get started, whip a tape measure around your waist across your belly button. Your goal is to be well below 35 inches. If you’re 35 or greater, you have too much belly fat and that’s associated with increased heart disease and diabetes. Keep this in mind as you begin your journey.
Here are the three belly-blasting steps to get you started and on your way to whittling your waist.

And includes such wonderful advice as visualization, monitoring what goes in your mouth and when you eat, and here is the good stuff:

Work your body. The magic formula to blast your belly is a combination of cardio + weight lifting + core work.

It’s great to get in some kind of cardio every day, but just make sure to hit it hard no less than four to five times week. Weight training is vital if you want to see a real shape shifting in your body composition.

Uhuh - sure, so when does the visualization start?
We can visualize we are exercising 5 times a week. There done. Oh you have to actually do the exercising and eating properly. Why, I didn't have to do that when I was 25?
Ahh the runaway estrogen trick.

And for an extra ZINGER 
It is actually true that men can lose their extra weight faster and easier than women. BUT, I have found that they as well have more issues over age 50 in getting rid of the  middle-age spread spare tire. It may be due to a physiological reason the  male-menopause. YES!!

Ok, so we know it happens to the majority of us
- what can be done to at least be more comfortable in our bodies and feel better?

No Bon Bons Girls 
- trials, tribulations and testimonial weight loss journey:

CLICK ON READ MORE

How I Survived being Captured by My Grandchildren

 'What are you doing? '

Don't Hurt Yourself!!!

 Ahh, that phrase again! I heard myself first whispering and then frantically yelling.

 How many times has my heartbeat raced, and my body taken quick action to rescue one of my own children, another child or now my grandchildren? Or myself?

Since I have some free time available currently, I decided it was perfect time to spend with my grandchildren. My daughter has Princess K who is 3 years old and H Man at just 20 months old now. With only one in diapers, and no bottles required - although there are constant companion of sippy cups - how hard can managing these short people be? Easy, heck I could do it with my eyes closed after raising my 3 daughters and assisting with various others. 

Visions of having real conversations with my extremely intelligent grandchildren filled my head, like sugar plums on Christmas Eve.  Thoughts of how we would bond, and develop memories to will be passed down the generations to yet come,
floated merrily in my aging brain.

 sophisticated tea party hostess

And then Reality -- I was captured by my grandchildren!

 Oh, the first few visits were delightful. We coloured lovely pictures, and watched kiddie shows - Blues Clues, and made muffins. All was very calm and organized, with no wildness at all. My daughter obviously had been exaggerating about how hyper these delightful children could be. She of course doesn't have my experience.
Oh how smug I was the first few times. How naive actually, I was soon to learn.

I digress - to inform you that I have previous experience with being captured by small children. The first incident was when I was a teenage babysitter of 2 young devil possessed boys, ages 3 and 5. We were playing cowboys, and I allowed them to tie me to the coffee table, with old ties from their dad ( well I assumed they were old, as they were in the toy box)  - how tight can a 3 and 5 year old tie, I thought. Ack!  So tight that it took me 15 minutes to get myself unbound and untangled and in chase of my  monster charges. They did not go far. Just to the kitchen to riffle through the snacks left for me  - chips, pop, and candy bars. They were stuffing their faces, and laughing like wild hyenas.  Enough to say that they went to bed promptly, and I never fell for that trick again.
hmmmm, I wonder where those boys are now?

Back to Current Capture 

It happened so suddenly, I was again unprepared. The Princess and I  had a lovely day, colouring, movies, lunch, visit to the park and walk in the sun - when H Man awoke from his nap. Again, all was well - we went to basement play area. This is when things got out of hand. I was unable to get the dvd player to function, with the 10 remotes and several devices. "So let's just play without tv or movies" - I thought that was  a good suggestion.

Wrong! And the amount of energy they suddenly had was remarkable, as they threw toys everywhere and attacked each other (well not attacked, but well yes attacked).

I regained momentary control and managed to get them herded back upstairs in order to prepare supper. But.. they continued to be too rambunctious, and all control was lost. 'OK! Enough"  I proclaimed "Outside!!" They cheered and got their shoes and jackets, and dragged me outside, down the street, and to the park. 

Again, I had been captured, and the children were in control!! 

Recovery

 I did manage to ensure their safety at the park and wrestle them back to the house. They attempted to once again take over, during the supper making process - but my survival skills kicked in and I was able to corral them to sit nicely and colour me a picture  - while I made the dinner. Within 8 minutes they were eating the most divine macaroni and cheese. Ok,  it was Kraft Dinner - they loved it! 
Lots of ketchup and world peace was once again restored.

Reason for this Story

This is my excuse for not getting much done this week 
and NO I DID NOT DO THE 7 DAY CLEANSE OR QUIT SMOKING!! 
... I want my mommy!

And ... 

The grandchildren are really very delightful, and I am having fun spending time with them, however the drive there and back is in total 4 hours
- I wish they lived much closer.

RE-GROUP, RE-FOCUS!
7 day cleanse  new Start Date Sunday, September 19
Quit Smoking Date to be set - after successfully complete cleanse.
Social Tweetle site to be updated and other website tasks to be completed this week!!
Enough dilly dallying.

TIP: 
Be very very careful of small children - they may appear to be harmless,
when they are actually plotting to take over the world. 

More news from Jan and her activities to follow tomorrow.

,,.darleen & jan

 

And Away We GO ... soon.

Exercise causes headaches due to increased oxygen to the brain!

Oh yeah baby,  this exercise thing is great !!

So.. how far have we got with Ultra Simple Diet prep and getting to our list of  TO DOs?

First for the GOOD news from Jan - she sent this to me via text messages today!

Jan: 

Hey are you sitting down? I WENT TO THE GYM!! Don't faint please. It actually   felt good :). Me and Curves are a go again.

Darleen:
Excellent - too funny!!

Jan:

It was rather funny es :)! Glad it was quiet so no one could hurt themselves watching me try and re-master the machines and the circuit!!

Darleen:

Yes good thing :)

Slight time lag ..

Jan:

Stupid headache :) see it's that exercise stuff. I'm allergic!! :) Quick rest took it away.

Darleen:
Headache is due to oxygen to brain with exercise - not used to it :)

Jan:

Hahahaha!

You will note how very supportive of each other we are!! Hoo Ha, Woo Hoo to Jan!!
Sheesh what a show off .. hmmphf

Darleen's update:
Well, as I have noted indirectly, I have Fibromyalgia and is one reason I have chosen the Ultra Simple Diet. As well it has been, what you call 'flaring' recently.
This morning, I awoke with pains radiating from tip of head to toes. Certain areas of my body were in worse pain than others, and becoming vertical was challenging. I did manage to sneak an extra 1 hr of sleep with neck pillow arranged so that could concentrate on deep breathing and relaxation. The breathing worked to help relax and also allowed me some additional slumber time, as I drifted back to sleep unintentionally. I then realized I was to be up early, as scheduled to go to daughter's for day to spend time with grandkids - a 2 hour drive.
Oh and I promised to make banana muffins. Oops!

I packed everything up, after quickly getting myself ready. Slugging back some yogurt and meal replacement smoothie, I was in car and on way. Oh ... I did stop at Tim Horton's for coffee, as really you expect me to go without caffeine on a day like today? It is medicinal!

The day went well, with the grandkids, although there was an issue with banana muffins - first time did not turn out. Not sure why, but 3 year old granddaughter seems to think "It happens." So we made some more and they turned out, just not my usual wonderful recipe.

Upon driving home after 7:30 PM, in the rain and dark - which causes my eyes to see mirages, I did arrive home safely, but tired. I did not walk my 15 minutes. Ugh.

I did however wear my running shoes - that counts right?
Moral of my story: Don't plan more than can reasonably do, and some days playing with the grandkids is all the exercise needed. After spending time with a 3 year old and 20 month old, I am tired but strangely stress-free.

TOMORROW:  I SHALL WALK 15 MINUTES

Continuing on with TO DO LIST to prepare for Sunday, September 12, 2010 7 Day Cleanse and life altering experiment with food.

Oh, and GREAT WORK JAN!! YOU ARE MY HERO!!

...darleen & jan

Darleen & Quitting Smoking - Date Set

 QUIT DATE SET: SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

Quitting Smoking is easy. 
It is becoming a Non Smoker that is the hard part.

I have coached many people on how to quit smoking, and even was the valedictorian for my last X-Smokers cessation group. I have spent $1,000s on quitting sessions and many more $1,000s on the cigarettes themselves.

I have now smoked for 40 years! Ugh. That is horrible. I have spent close to $100,000 on cigarettes. Imagine what I could have done with that $100,000.


My health is surprisingly good, with few complaints that I think are not smoking related. But ... possibly are due to smoking.

My reasons for wanting to quit I am going to log  & add to and set a date to quit.
I will not be giving anything up, but gaining my life back - released from addiction.

Reasons to Quit:
1) Money
2) Want to live as long as possible
3) To achieve healthiest state possible
4) Because I stink!

Added Wednesday Sept 8th

5) To live to at least 100 years old
6) To not be a social outcast

Thanks to those that commented on FB and by email directly supporting my quitting.

Especially to suggestions on how to make easier - CHAMPIX 

and my sister's  comment: When you share your projected quit date ... you will seriously be on your way.  >> correct and I am not ready yet to share, but getting closer each day.

I will continue to add to this page as I go through the process to quit day.

...darleen

Ultra Simple Diet Prep & More!

We are on Day 2 of UltraSimple Diet prep
 using book by Mark Hyman, M.D.
 http://ultrasimplediet.com/is/program

Darleen's DONE List:

Joined My Ultra Wellness  - having some issues with online site
Health Quiz
Toxicity and Inflammation Quiz rating = 95 : Moderate Imbalance
Have started elimination of caffeine and sugar

Darleen's TO DO List:

Vitamin C - need to purchase
Weight measurements
BMI
Before Photo
Video
List of ingredients and supplements required  - see page 108 of book
Large box of Baking Soda
Large bag of Epsom Salts
Lavender Essential Oil
Running shoes  - go to The Running Room and be fitted for proper shoes
* recommendation for fibromyalgia is to walk only 15 minutes at time

Jan's Update:
Will be reading book and making some decisions regarding doing the 7 day cleanse.
She is taking supplements, using Jenny Craig food diet, signed up for yoga class and also going for update at Curves 

What's Next?

CLICK ON READ MORE 

Summer is over!

Get out the bath salts --- kids are back in school!!
Family vacation over!!

Yes, it is that time of year - that all mothers are celebrating!
(and maybe some fathers)

Summer Vacation, is now officially over!! Kids, family members, and supporting services are back to work, and out of the house - at least for a few hours of the day.
Of course we miss them - when we can actually hear the bubbles popping. Ahhh...

Jan and Darleen certainly can use at least a few hours of R&R, before getting back to a 'regular routine'. It has been a rather hectic few months, with travel and illness affecting our family and friends. Being the empathic creatures we are and true care-givers - we have taken on some extra burdens. Support is our business, it seems, and now time to spend time on regenerating ourselves and getting our bodies in 'top-notch' shape. Jan is miles ahead Darleen on this, with Curves exercise, Yoga classes arranged and Jenny Craig food plan. Darleen is in the thinking about it stage.

We still have many tasks to face this next few months, and will need to be both strong and prepared. Jan will be celebrating 25 years married to the Amazing Morris. Well, they did accomplish this feat together, so that makes them both Amazing! (but with 5 kids they really had no other choice).

Seems like just yesterday, that Darleen was dancing through the brides hotel room the night before the wedding - ugh we have a photo.
And it is now on the Internet!

CLICK READ MORE TO SEE PHOTO!