I know I’m far from alone when it comes to the business of bellies. It’s one of the unfortunate things that “pop up” after menopause. Even thin women get bellies! When we post an article about belly fat, it invariably gets thousands and thousands of views.
Although I started a four-times-a-week cardio-and-weights regimen nine months ago, with my beloved LA trainer Vann Duke (over Skype), I knew that if I persistently attacked the baked goods that David continually buys, my belly wasn’t going anywhere. (BTW, I can’t blame the baked goods entirely. I’ve indulged in foods like pizza, ice cream, caloric frozen yogurt, far too long.)
So, two weeks ago I also began a simple and smart eating plan, and I’m determined to lose as much belly as possible, once and for all. At Vann’s urging, I also bought a Fitbit and attempt to walk the required 10,000 steps a day. Although it’s essentially impossible for exercise to reduce your belly totally, Vann explained, it will invariably get smaller when the rest of your body gets smaller.
I’m not planning to enter a FOF beauty contest or compete with, let’s say, Christie Brinkley in the belly department. But I’m sure that a smaller belly will make me feel better about my body image, and I can wear some of the “thinner” clothes I’m forever admiring in the shop windows.
That’s why I decided I’m going to post a new photo of my belly, and report my progress, every Thursday, starting today. I don’t want to preach about how you should eat, or what you should eat, since we’re all pretty savvy about which foods are good, and which are dreadful, for our individual bodies. I’ve personally cut out foods with added sugar, as well as carbs and meat, because I’ve learned that these are anathema to my body, especially my belly. I haven’t touched wine or liquor for years, so at least I didn’t have to worry about weaning myself off of those, too!
I’ll also share with you blissfully short videos of some of the exercises I’m doing with Vann, to help keep my heart and muscles strong, as well as to burn calories.
One of the last things I’m keen on doing is to show off my belly, in all its glory, but I’ve decided to embark on this plan for two reasons:
1. It will help me keep myself on track, if I know my FOFriends are watching.
2. It would make me feel good if I can inspire even one other woman to be a belly buster.
Will you join me in my
BYE-BYE-BELLY CRUSADE?
You don’t have to send me a photo, but I’d love to know how you feel about YOUR belly and whether you’d like to do something about making it smaller, and making you happier and healthier.
P.S. “The best ways to combat belly bulge are high-intensity exercise, muscle building with weights, along with proper diet,” Vann says. In the video below, I’m doing a kettlebell swing (15-pound kettlebell), which is an explosive exercise that challenges the core, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and shoulders. Expect high-calorie burn.
0 Responses to “[Flab Over Fifty] I’m Baring My Belly. Would You Dare To Bare Yours?”
Kim V says:
The Russian Swing is my favorite exercise, I feel it all over! 15 lbs? I am impressed, now I need to go out and buy a heavier one. Thanks for the inspiration!
Angela says:
Geri, thank you for being an inspiration and giving us women a place to come together for lifestyle tips and support. I’m sure you don’t remember, but we chatted late one evening about fat freezing and the difference between Asrai’s Touch home kit and coolsculpting. My product is featured in your Female Entrepreneurs Marketplace section; which I thank you for.
Fat freezing doesn’t replace proper diet and exercise; it enhances your results. Eliminating a few extra ugly fat cells makes weight management easier, helps improves quality of living and feels great as well. In appreciation of your support for me, I would like to send you one of my fat freezing kits.
As more people learn about the effectiveness of fat freezing, this home kit will be a common beauty product like the curling iron or a hair blow-dryer.
GeriFOF says:
Hi Angela,
I do remember now. Thank you for reminding me, and for your nice comment. would love to try your kit. Give me your email and I will send you my address. Fondly, Geri
Kris Roth says:
I’ve been I highly sexual person my whole life. That hasn’t changed as I’ve aged. What HAS changed is my willingness to share my body with another human being. This has nothing to do with some evolved moral code…It’s purely embarrassment at the 50 pounds I’ve put on in the last several years. I was a heavy binge drinker for fifteen years, which hurt me dramatically in so many ways. It’s been a downward spiral…isolation and depression beget watching hours of Netflix, which begets more weight gain and more depression and isolation. I haven’t had sex in THREE YEARS, because I’m so embarrassed of my body…particularly my belly. Losing it would change my life in so many ways. I’m sober now, which is a huge step in the right direction, but it’s not enough. I still isolate, watch hours of Netflix, have a horrible diet and get no exercise.
Linda Campbell says:
Geri, you’ve gotta keep up what you’re doing, ’cause you are now my inspiration!
GeriFOF says:
Oh, Linda, I love you. Now, for sure, I will.
Geri
Freeze Away Fat says:
Three years ago, I would have not been so brave. After Asrai’s Touch Fat Freezing home kit, I’m back to rocking a bikini. At sixty, I’m not afraid to show my belly.
Geri Brin says:
Dear Freeze Away Fat, I don’t know a thing about your “kit,” but it isn’t designed for bellies like mine. Eating well and exercising are what count.
Corinne Garrett says:
Talk about uber-brave! Every time I go on vacation, because of the walking every day out sightseeing, I lose weight. I’m in too. I need to get a fitness tracker.
Geri Brin says:
Hi Corinne,
You’re so right about losing weight on vacation cause of the walking. So glad you’re in, too!
I love my fitbit. It tells the time, your heart rate, steps you’ve walked, flights you’ve climbed, and how many calories you’ve burned. It’s the fitbit Charger HR.
Fondly,
Geri
Vann Duke says:
Corinne, like Geri, I require all of my online fitness clients to wear the Fitbit and they love it! It’s been great to see Geri’s motivation increase dramatically by wearing her Fitbit tracker daily. It’s addicting…in a very good way!! Get one and let us know how it works for you.
Nancy Goodman says:
Thank you for being so brave! You look great by the way. It looks like some of that is loose skin though, which inevitably happens with weight loss for those of us over 50. Some good quality lotion can make a big difference! I’m looking forward to seeing your progress 🙂
Geri Brin says:
Thank you, Nancy. My next report will be next Thursday!
Fondly, Geri
Jacki Payne says:
I admire your courage, and I’m in!!! May not be brave enough yet to post a picture, but I’ll join you on the kettle ball swings
Geri Brin says:
Hi Jacki,
So happy you’re joining us. Check in next Thursday, and let me know how you did. Fondly, Geri
Vann Duke says:
Hi Jacki, I’m Vann, Geri’s trainer. I’m a huge fan of kettlebells. They are a staple in my weekly workouts and those of my clients. Kettlebell exercises pack a punch in that they offer great cardio, improve coordination, increase flexibility, build strength, target the core, great for toning and offer a total body workout in a short period of time.
Cheryl Moreau says:
Thank you so much for your courage to show us and share. I am so tired of my belly. I was always so small and then the last 2 years has been a disaster. I am going to follow you and try to do what you do for exercise. I have joined a gym but not using it right now. Monday I started eating right and feel better already but a long way to go to break some bad eating habits.
Geri Brin says:
Hi, Cheryl,
You’re welcome. And THANK YOU for your comment. It’s great that you started to eat right on Monday; I’m just beginning the third week, and the carb craving diminished a bit each day. Check in on the site every Thursday, when I report my progress, and tell me yours. We can cheer each other on! Fondly, Geri
Vann Duke says:
Hi Cheryl,
I’m Vann, Geri’s trainer. Great beginning! It all builds from one day to the next. Although you may not be using your gym right now, if it’s possible for you to workout at home I say go for it! You can still reach your fitness and health goals right in the comfort of your own home. Please let me know if you need any assistance. Best, Vann
B. Lerner says:
Geri, I, too have an expanded belly because of menopause, & it depresses me to no end. Also, it’s not just my belly, but now I have a fat donut ring all the way around — I never had back fat before. I really admire you’re willingness to show yourself! Because I had back surgery, I wasn’t able to keep up with my 3 day/week power yoga & now I’m finding it so hard to get back into any exercise at all. I like the one you show on this page (the bell swing). I’m going to give it a try.
Geri Brin says:
Hi, B,
I appreciate your nice comment. After back surgery, it’s no wonder you’re having a hard time getting back into exercise. Make sure it’s ok with your doc to do the kettlebell swing. Vann told me that you don’t need to use a kettlebell. You can even do the exercise with your arms alone. If you’re up to it, you can arrange for a Skype session with Vann, where he’ll talk to you and get a handle on your strength, etc. He said he’ll do an hour-consult for $50 for my pals on FOF. His email is vann@vannduke.com He’s a gem!!!!!!! I actually look forward to my 30-minute sessions with him 4 times a week. And he’s smart and lovely. I can’t say enough about him. But even if you only do the consult, he’ll give you the exercises to do that will help. Keep me posted. Fondly, Geri
B. Lerner says:
Thank you for replying! I never expect to hear back from comments, so I really appreciate it. I’ll try them without the bell. I might do the consult, also. It’s good to know that option is available.
Vann Duke says:
Hello B,
I’m Vann, Geri’s fitness trainer. As Geri has said, please make sure your doc approves this exercise for you. I’ve used this exercise before with clients that have had back issues but it was a progressive process that we had to use to get them safely there. I have at least a million exercises in my head that I believe could work great for you to improve your back strength as well a your abdominal muscles which is probably the best place for you to start. For many years I’ve specialize in working with adults 50+ therefore I’ve encountered many people who’ve endured back injuries as well as surgeries. Again, a progressive, customized approach could get you back into the swing of things in no time. Please feel free to reach out. I’m be happy to offer you my $50 consultation special and to get you started. Look for me at http://www.SecondHalfFitness.com All the best! Vann