About Me

Australia
I'm a Mum who has struggled with weight since having my daughter 24 years ago. Forever trying to find that one thing that helps to make weight loss easier.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Is Muscle Heavier Than Fat?

Apparently not.
How many times have we heard from dieting experts the term "You will weigh more because muscle weighs heavier than fat."
I reckon I have heard this from every personal trainer and gym instructor that I have ever seen in my dieting career.
Heard it in commercial ads on television and radio, but it seems that research has shown that this is false.

One kilo of muscle weighs the same as one kilo of fat. That's pretty obvious.
The difference is that when you look at them side by side, the fat will be much bigger in volume than the one kilo of muscle. Fat is bulky and lumpy so will take up more room than muscle even though it weighs the same.

Muscle becomes more dense as people exercise, so will make you look more trim and terrific and more lean muscle mass will burn more calories and help burn more fat, even when we are resting.

So consider throwing the scales away for a month or two. Get out the tape measure instead and start exercising.
Take note of any compliments (wouldn't that be great?)that come your way about how great your body looks.
Your weight may not change on the scales, but I bet that your clothes fit nicer when put on.


Friday, June 11, 2010

An Apple A Day Helps Keep The Weight Away.


Black Apple
Originally uploaded by Bald Monk
Apples for weight loss. Yes that's what I've been reading.
Apparently if you eat an apple before a main meal, it helps make you feel fuller.
I have actually been doing this for the last five days and I can honestly say that I think it works.
I have one for morning tea and one again at around 4 o'clock. I do feel more satisfied from eating an apple at this time then I do eating a muesli bar or raisin toast. By the time dinner time is here, I'm really not as hungry and don't get that hunger pain that usually arises when the smell of food is around.

Apples are full of fibre and take longer to break down. They also contain many vitamins and minerals and are low in calories.
Contain less sodium which helps prevent water retention. Full of vitamin C, an antioxidant, which can help prevent heart disease.

So by and by, the humble old apple really may keep the doctor away.



Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Cellulite and Weight loss can disappear with massage


Back pain relief
Originally uploaded by supulido62
Slowly getting back to normal.
If you have ever had a bad back you will understand what I'm going through.
I decided that I needed a massage, lucky you I hear you say, but uh, uh.
This was not a relaxation massage, it was remedial, a litte bit different.
I have not gone through so much pain since I had my daughter, well, perhaps a slight exaggeration. But the pain was excruciating. I felt every single muscle being manipulated. Kneaded back into position.
I could hardly walk to the car let alone drive home.
The only good thing that has come out of this is that I get out of cooking dinner for a few days. "Yahoo."
I suppose it serves me right for not keeping up with the massages regularly.
So this brings me to this question.

Does having a regular massage help with weight loss?

I have done a little research on this and it
appears that it is really good at removing cellulite. By regularly massaging areas where cellulite appears reduces the appearance.
Helping to move the fat around will decrease the dimpling affect and make skin appear more smoother.
Apparently having a massage can help with weight loss because it improves circulation and supply of nutrients to the muscles.
Increased blood flow helps muscles grow and therefore they will burn more calories and thats what we want, right.

Now I have given you an excuse to have a massage. It may hurt on the first go but after a few sessions you will feel fantastic.
Think of all that weight that may come off also, with extra help of course.

Exercise and Diet!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Exercise Has Crippled The Weight loss Fool

Ahh, The pain is agonising.
Yes, I'm not in good shape. Pushed it to hard yesterday I'm afraid.
Now I can hardly move, my back muscles must have seized or something. I know your probaly laughing out loud to yourself, but it's not funny, I'm totally crippled. Some of you probably understand what I'm going through.

Today was the hardest day I've ever had at work. Why is it when you have a bad back you drop everything that you touch.
The floor feels like it's a million miles away and once you reach it getting back up can be excruciating.
Customers will ask you to bend down to get a product and you struggle to keep the pain from showing on your face.
You stand up straight with this pathetic fake grin on your face and act nice, meanwhile grimacing inside.

I have a situp bench at home that I began to use when I started this fitness madness campaign. Perhaps this is where I went wrong. I tried to complete three sets of 20 situps, I haven't done anything like this for nearly 5 years.
Bad mistake, should have done perhaps two sets of 15 until I got use to it.

Lesson learnt-
DON'T RUSH INTO IT, ROME WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY

Friday, June 4, 2010

Aerobics Elephant Style


Aerobics Elephant Style
Originally uploaded by mlockeridge
This is exactly what I felt that I looked like.
Trying to jump about following a dvd that you have never seen before. Your twisting back and forwards trying to catch what the instructor is telling you.
Before you know it you've tripped on the carpet and landed flat on your behind. (Why am I doing this?)

I've made the first step, but I must admit I found it really hard. I couldn't keep up and I was out of breath in the first few minutes. I felt like I was having a heartattack.

I found myself just jogging on the spot and moving my arms fast so it felt like I was working hard.
The dvd goes for an hour but I could only manage half hour. I was pretty proud of myself.
I'll keep on going, will do another half hour tomorrow and have sunday off.
Hopefully I won't feel like that elephant after three weeks.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Exercise and Fitness. No Way, Not Me!

Okay, the time has come.
I have decided to begin my fitness campaign. (about time I hear you say).
Yes, it has finally come down to having to do some serious exercise.
If you have been reading my blog, you know that I'm not into exercise.
I use to enjoy playing team sports when younger, but when I snapped my achillies that was it, stopped everything, except walking.

I have purchased a fitness dvd. It has warm ups, aerobics, dance and floor work all on it. I have to keep it up three times a week to see improvements.
So tomorrow is day 1.

I'll tell you how I went in my next post, if I'm still alive.