I loved the music they played. Kept me going.

I try to walk at least 4 or 5 mornings a week. I usually average 2 miles each day. It's wonderful to walk and pray while looking at those majestic mountains. Very peaceful and inspiring...and in this weather, very invigorating!!

Wow! Winter gardening in Russia! Anyone would find that difficult on the joints, no matter her age. These days I hike like Bluebird. I try to walk 3 miles a day, sometimes 4.5, in the Colorado terrain. My problem is that I do not do it in the morning. Rather, I like afternoon walks. But it is getting darker sooner, so I am trying to train my body to get going in the morning. I know I need toning and strength building exercise, but I don't want to spend money on Curves, etc. So when we get into our house in December I will pull out the Yoga and Pilates tapes and do exercise at home. I am also interested in the rubber band resistance exercise. You know, exercise used to be incorporated into sports like ice skating, skiiing, swimming, horse back riding. Now I have to force myself to do an exercise routine.

Mrs_Madness they also have elasticized wraps that can be worn anywhere and they make heat wherever you put them there are also warming creams that seem to do the same thing. These might help some.....

Xercyse, whats that, how do you spell it again??? Is it anything like fingers floating along the computer keys? If not then I know not what it is, sounds painful to me...LOL !!!

[ November 02, 2005, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Lynne, first of all -- there is no such thing as spot weight reducing. Period. All those waist wraps and other gizmos to lose weight in a certain area are frauds.

Where you accumulate body fat is genetic. After menopause many women get thicker through the middle (including yours truly) because belly fat holds the most estrogen and this is your body's way of coping with estrogen loss. When you gain or lose weight, it's proportional to your genetic predisposition.

However, you can firm different areas through exercise. Firming won't get rid of the fat, but rather you'll build muscle underneath the fat so you look less flabby.

There are 3 different muscles that we lump as "stomach". In the parentheses are specific exercises that target them.

Lower abdominal (leg raises)
upper abdominal (crunches)
obliques --aka "love handles" (diagonal crunches)

There's also a term -- core training -- that you probably know through Pilates. This refers to all the stomach and back muscles. Walking is good. So is sitting on the big rubber ball.

Lifting your arms over your head works on your shoulders, not your belly.

I've got a question. Can exercise raise the buttocks to their former position closer to the torso versus dropped toward the knees? Pilates really does work the core and helps to keep a trimmed torso.

Lynnie, the muscle you want to work is called gluteous maximus (and in my case, it definitely is "maximus" LOL)

Some exercises that work that area:
lunges
squats
mountain climbing
2-at-a-time stair-climbing
skiing
dancing
hurdles

I think step-aerobics is another one you can add to that list.......

Lynnie, walking is excellent for the butt. I was just 10 minutes late for my morning walk with a neighbor friend. I got lost in the forums and she called wondering where I was. Ah...the beauty of working from home.

Chatty, you brat you. You stole my line! LOL...does shopping count as xerzize?