[Flab Over Fifty] My Belly Fat Is Driving Me Crazy. Is Yours?

For those of you just joining us, this is the second installment of an ongoing “journal” I’m keeping on my program to eat right, stay in shape, and reduce my belly! It will please me if I can inspire even one other women to be a belly buster. Catch up by reading last week’s entry.

I’m three weeks into my belly-busting regimen, and more (or less) over my continual craving for carbs. I say more or less because it’s pretty hard for me to go totally carb-less. So although I haven’t had a bite of bread, a cookie crumb, or a strand of spaghetti (from David’s plate) in 21 days, I’ve had a few teaspoons of jam, straight from the jar (George Costanza would definitely accuse me of “double dipping), and a couple of clementines.

I’m eating roast chicken; fish like salmon and tuna tartare; salads with balsamic vinegar and olive oil; homemade vegetable soups like broccoli and squash (made in a Vitamix without butter, milk or cream), and coffee with heavy cream (won’t ever deny myself heavy cream in my coffee).

I don’t walk the recommended 10,000 steps every single day, but I’ve averaged close to it during the last week, according to my trusty Fitbit. “The Japanese first started using the 10,000 steps a day number, as part of a marketing campaign! (to help sell pedometers). Since that initial campaign however, medical authorities around the world have agreed that 10,000 is a healthy number for which to aim,” reports the Fitbit Blog. Benefits include lower BMI, reduced waist size, increased energy, and less risk for Type II diabetes and heart disease. “In fact, a study of the 10,000 steps a day method reported conclusive health benefits,” the blog said.

If the Fitbit on my left wrist helps give me the impetus to walk an average of five miles a day, then LA-based exercise guru Vann, over Skype, gives me the drive and discipline to work out aerobically, as well as with weights and a kettle bell, ranging from five to 15 pounds. I don’t stop moving during my 30-minute sessions, four times a week, and always work up a sweat, often pushing my heart to 85 percent of its maximum heart rate. I did a combo of forward lunges and arm curls, with 10-pound weights, last week and felt the workout in my biceps and calf muscles. But it’s worth it, knowing that I’m doing everything I can to keep my bones, muscles and heart as strong as possible. Whenever I see older people shuffling down the sidewalk, I’m reminded why it’s so crucial to incorporate weight-bearing exercise into our lives.

Here I’m doing a high knee exercise, called the Steam Engine, which is great for warming up. “If you increase the intensity it can be used in a regular training session,” Vann said. “Also, if you’re thinking about getting back into jogging, or even running, high knees exercises are good places to begin. The Steam Engine will build strength and endurance in the hips and abdominals, tone and shape your muscles, and give you a challenging cardio workout.”