Mom’s Musings

Well, I’m still on the subject of managing one’s weight in a healthful manner. I am a healthy, happy mom and gramma, and I’m also overweight, by approximately 40 pounds. Do I have a plan?

As I mentioned in my first post on this subject, I plan to stay away from “diets”, since I believe they are a good way to unbalance one’s metabolism. However, I am willing to be more conscientious about the quality of the foods I eat. I tend to feed my family mainly whole grains and very little sugar for a while, and then gradually let lesser quality foods back in.

I’m not going to rely on supplements for weight loss. At one point I consulted a naturopathic physician, who suggested conjugated linoleic acid, L-carnitine and a B-complex to help my body metabolize its own fat stores. This seemed to work for a while (I effortlessly dropped 15 pounds.) but caused a lot of intestinal upset. Finally, my throat would just clamp shut so I couldn’t even swallow the pills.

I do go for a daily walk, but I don’t think I’m really getting enough exercise. So, that is what I propose to do: Become systematically more active.

The gentleman who cuts my hair has had good success with the following exercise regime. Doing the routine once requires just SEVEN MINUTES of one’s time. He told me to do this routine for two days, then rest a day, etc.

EXERCISE ROUTINE

Do each exercise for 30 seconds. Walk around for 2 minutes to rest after all exercises are done. As strength and stamina increase, repeat routine, rest, repeat routine, etc.

MARCH Lift legs high and swing arms
PUSH UPS
SQUATS
SHADOW BOXING Stand with legs apart; do not twist at waist
SEATED BENT-KNEE LEG RAISES
HOLD STAFF AND SWING LEFT LEG
HOLD STAFF AND SWING RIGHT LEG
TOE RAISES (while standing behind chair for balance)
JUMPING JACKS
SIT-UPS (CURLS)
SWIM STROKE 15 seconds freestyle, 15 seconds backstroke
SIT KICK Sit in chair; try to kick alternating shoes off
STRETCH TO SKY, THEN TOUCH TOES
WINDMILL Alternate toe touches

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 at 8:35 pm and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.