We’re hosting an online conversation with certified personal trainer Judy Oros this week. If you haven’t seen her advice for 2008 in The Commercial Appeal, check it out online at commercialappeal.com/news/lifestyle/health-fitness/
Got a question about starting a fitness program or improving your health in the new year?
Ask it here.
She’ll check the blog and respond.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:22 am
i am on several medications two which are lyrica and effexor, i feel they are part of my weight gain. it is awful, i am so sick of being fat.
am i fighting a losing battle by trying to lose weight while on these meds? i am unable to exercise at this time due to recent surgery. it will be awhile before i pick it back up.HELP!!!
December 31st, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Kay: I am sure that some medications do increase weight, however, that should not stop you from taking a brisk walk every day or every other day to improve your cardiovascular strength. Plus, a brisk walk is so good for improving your mood, appetite, and staminia. Try not to focus on how much weight you have to lose, just get out there and start out small, “baby steps”, like the article said. Take each day as it comes. Today is beautiful outside (I just finished my walk), the fresh air was wonderful!
December 31st, 2007 at 5:06 pm
What is the best way to get rid of the flab under your upper arms?
December 31st, 2007 at 6:58 pm
It’s too late for you guys, you’ll have to live with it!!HAHAHAHA HAPPY NEW YEARS, YOU TWO!
December 31st, 2007 at 11:00 pm
for those of you who just read the above post, I know these two gals! But, seriously, if you need upper arm exercises, dips are a great way to tone your arms. Get a chair, sit down, then pull your self off the chair with your arms slightly bent, dip up and down. It’s a great tricep exercise! Three sets of 10 should do it! Have a great New Years Eve!
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 am
I have a question for late night eating. My daughter is 14 and is at her ideal weight, but she gets hungry late at night. What is something besides fruit that is an o.k. late night snack. She is trying to break herself of this habit, but when the kids stay up late they get really hungry. She also enjoys ice cream and cookies. She knows this is a bad habit, but a hard one to break.
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Thanks for writing. Two things…try to get her to eat 6 smaller meals throughout the day. If she doesn’t eat consistently throughout the day, your body is trying to make up calories at night and thus, your’e hungry to them up. Make sure she eats a very good breakfast. Breakfast sets you up for the rest of the day. The majority of people I train have a hard time with breakfast for a number of reasons, but once they get in the habit of it, they cannot go without it. Secondly, a good eveing snack is something like this 3 cups (measure out), of light popcorn, cut up apple and a table spoon of peanut butter to dip the apple in. The popcorn is full of fiber (which will hold her longer), as well as the fiber and carbohydrates in the apple, and the protein of the peanut butter (which is the good fat and lots of protein). Also, a glass of milk with a 2 graham crackers is a good snack, too, with a smidge of peanut butter on the grammies. Good Luck!
January 4th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I have enjoyed reading all the great advice you are giving out. I am in my 50’s and have developed that dreaded “belly fat” I’ve been hearing about on TV! It seems like it came on overnight!! What do you think about the OTC drugs advertised to rid us 50+ year olds of this nasty problem. Are there any good exercises that I can do, besides sit-ups, that will produce quick results????
January 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Belly fat is pretty much all diet related and more cardio related. My trick for my customers is two things: First, do two-a-days. Which mean, 20-30 minutes in the morning, and then 20-30 minutes in the late afternoon or evening. This trick will quick start your metabolism, which slows, after the age of 50. It sounds very dramatic to workout twice a day, but it really works. For instance, you could walk in the morning, and then take a class in the evening for about 20 minutes. Or vice, versa. Just 20-30. We spend alot more time in the grocery or talking on the cell phone! Secondly, write down everything you put in your mouth for 3 days (even gum or a cert). Then look over your list and see how much of “stuff” you are stuffing in. A few bites of this and a few bites of that really counts. Calories are calories and add up. Even the little bit of samples we get at Costco. They add up when we are trying to lose weight. And those extra calories go straight to our bellies! Plus, watch the alcohol. Wine goes directly to our bellies…and my women customers love their wine!!! Good luck and write again if you have anymore questions!
January 5th, 2008 at 2:18 am
this is the belly fat lady again…..I love my wine and will not give it up….I tried that for Lent last year and did not see any change in belly fat….if I do 2-a-days, can I do the same type of exercise or do I need to do something different? I have an exercise machine at home and use that for cardio. Thanks for your advice! You are awesome!!
January 5th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Hi Belly Fat lady!!! Yes, you can do the same exercise twice a day, but remember that your body also remembers what you are doing. If you continue the same exercise at the same pace at the same time, etc., you body will become accustomed to that workout. Changing things up is a good way to get rid of that belly fat. That way you are kind of tricking your body and plus, its too boring to do the same things over and over again. I have an awesome Very, Very, Very, Very, Beginner Bootcamp that I do on Saturdays from 9-10 a.m at the Germantown United Methodist Church, OLEC Center (Owings Life Enrichment Center), connected to the church. Anyone can come. Everyone in there is at the same beginning level and are having a ball. Give it a try. I’ve love to met you!
January 5th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
is there running involved in your bootcamp?? i don’t run! whats the cost??
can’t your body memory get forgetful like our aging minds??
January 5th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
The good thing about our body memory is that we can retrain it to think the way WE want it, too. After doing something for 2-3 weeks, the body can be retrained and does what you want. For example, walking at a good pace…it will remember what you want it to do. Then if you want to increase your pace, for instance, you can retrain it to go even faster and it will after about 2-3 weeks.
The bootcamp (very, very, very, very beginner) does not involve running unless you want to. That’s what so nice about it. You do what you want as far as intensity. I’ve told the people in it today, do what you feel confortable, but just do it. If you want to stand and walk in place, then do that. I had 50 come today, but today was a open house of sorts. It costs $50.00 for 6 sessions. Every Saturday, 6 times. Then they pay for 6 more times and so on. I do it that way so they are committed to come at least 6 times. Come join us. The new session starts next Sat. January 12th at 9 a.m.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
can i be working out too much..i love my workouts and my trainer is very creative changing routines all the time..i am working out 4-5 days @ week for 1 hour each session and running..is this 2 much?…i dropped from size 10 to 6 in a few months but now nothing…and if i miss a work out it seems i look flabby…
January 8th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Yes, sometimes we can workout too much. The body needs a rest day here and there to rest muscles so they can re-build. Are you doing weight training 4-5 times a week? When do you rest your body? I usually only allow my customers to come to me 3 days max, and then they are on their own the other days doing things like swimming, walking, taking classes, no weight training. You can over work your body and will not notice any changes. You don’t look flabby after not working out for 1 or 2 days. Your muscles just dont seem as tight, they are still there and it’s not fat!