Love Handles--Older Women

Ivy said:
Thanks everyone! I originally increased my cardio because I was doing Hiit only workout 3 times a week and it wasn't helping with the fat loss the way I thought it should. So then I incorporated other types of cardio and the fat began to come off, unfortunately I still have the love handles.
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Thanks for answering my question!:)
 
JeanneMarie said:
I'm with everyone else...cut the extensive cardio and up your calories. I also don't see how you're maintaining that workout schedule with such a low calorie intake. I'd gnaw my arm off! LOL!

I workout hard every day, twice a day at least, and I don't count calories. I eat what I need. I just make sure, as others have said, I'm avoiding sugar, sodium and processed foods. I'm 60 and don't have any excess fat. I do HIIT bootcamps twice a day and lift heavy. And you know what... here's an observation I've made from the gym I go to... the people with the most excess body wieght/fat on them, are the ones I see endlessly running on the treadmill or pedaling on the eliptical. They are always there... always going, going, going... and nothing ever changes. I so badly want to tell them the secret.

I used to be the cardio queen myself because I love to run. I would run upwards of 40 miles a week, in addition to all the Cathe workouts I was doing. My problem wasn't excess fat, it was just being too skinny. I never could put on any appreciable muscle, despite all the lifting. I finally figured out what cardio was doing to my body. I took my running down to 8 miles a week and starting lifting heavier and doing more HIIT. It finally gave me the muscle definition I wanted, yet my weight didn't increase.

There are so many different reasons to fuel your body properly, but the bottom line is you can't expect it to look/perform the way you want it to, if you're not giving it the tools (food) necessary to do so. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the changes you'll see. Good luck!
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Well:

Happy to hear that this routine works for JeanneMarie, but it would be sad if people took away from this, especially considering the amount of exercise the original poster already does, that even more hardcore, intense exercise is the answer to creating the body of one's aesthetic dreams.

Please don't copy: this isn't necessarily a model to emulate. Each one of us has to figure out how much and what type of exercise is not only enough, but which allows us to be our best self: i.e., healthy, full of energy to take on our day, well rested and emotionally/psychologically-nourished.

If running works for you, then do it. If you need to ride your bike, then do it. Stress relief can be a person's main objective in pursuing a rigorous exercise routine. If this is you, then there's no need to stop doing what you are doing despite the routines full of heavy lifting and HiiT that others follow. For some of us, the maintenance of mental and emotional health is more important than carving the contemporary lean, muscular body that is the current ideal of female physicality.

I just visited the doctor office yesterday: age 51, heading into menopause, resting heart rate 54, blood pressure 119/69, weight down to a very low 121 pounds, which is low for my 5' 8" frame, and which surprised me. How did I get here? Weights, both heavy and high rep routines with Cathe and Kelly, some metabolic conditioning type workouts and lots and lots of walking. Not a lot of HiiT cardio because I do not find it helps with stress relief and it does not make me happy because I dread it. The other new addition that is helping me stay healthy, happy and able to find the energy to meet all the demands of a busy life while dealing with encroaching menopause problems? = Movement in a new job where I am on my feet and physically active for 4 days per week. So, it doesn't have to be HiiT all the time: movement in itself is incredibly important.

I never work out more than 4 days per week because I just do not have the time. Nor the energy. This is the routine that works for me. I am not as cut as Cathe and crew are, and cannot lift as heavy, never will be able to, but I did just make a new personal best in my lifting: I can now use, for the first time ever, 20 lb dumbbells for shoulders and biceps, and I'm regularly picking up my 25 lb bells for leg and back work. Never could do any of that before. I also seem to be doing this while keeping my elbow tendonitis at bay. The only way I got here was by doing less, not more. My focus is "striving towards new levels of performance while keeping injuries at bay and increasing energy levels to meet demands of a busy life while keeping depression and anxiety disorders under wraps so no medications are needed.'

What do you need? What are your goals? How much time do you have? How healthy are you? Is what you are doing making you happy? How are your energy levels? If you are satisfying all these objectives, then you are on the right track. On YOUR right track. And mine might not work for you either.

So, original poster: try doing a little less, not more. Try varying your routines to include a little of everything: some of what you need and is recommended (heavy weights, bootcamp, HiiT) and some of what you fancy (running, bike, barre, dancing, hiking, walking, gardening, etc, etc). Rest and eat more and see what happens.

Clare
 
maddiesmum said:
Well:

Happy to hear that this routine works for JeanneMarie, but it would be sad if people took away from this, especially considering the amount of exercise the original poster already does, that even more hardcore, intense exercise is the answer to creating the body of one's aesthetic dreams.

Please don't copy: this isn't necessarily a model to emulate. Each one of us has to figure out how much and what type of exercise is not only enough, but which allows us to be our best self: i.e., healthy, full of energy to take on our day, well rested and emotionally/psychologically-nourished.

If running works for you, then do it. If you need to ride your bike, then do it. Stress relief can be a person's main objective in pursuing a rigorous exercise routine. If this is you, then there's no need to stop doing what you are doing despite the routines full of heavy lifting and HiiT that others follow. For some of us, the maintenance of mental and emotional health is more important than carving the contemporary lean, muscular body that is the current ideal of female physicality.

I just visited the doctor office yesterday: age 51, heading into menopause, resting heart rate 54, blood pressure 119/69, weight down to a very low 121 pounds, which is low for my 5' 8" frame, and which surprised me. How did I get here? Weights, both heavy and high rep routines with Cathe and Kelly, some metabolic conditioning type workouts and lots and lots of walking. Not a lot of HiiT cardio because I do not find it helps with stress relief and it does not make me happy because I dread it. The other new addition that is helping me stay healthy, happy and able to find the energy to meet all the demands of a busy life while dealing with encroaching menopause problems? = Movement in a new job where I am on my feet and physically active for 4 days per week. So, it doesn't have to be HiiT all the time: movement in itself is incredibly important.

I never work out more than 4 days per week because I just do not have the time. Nor the energy. This is the routine that works for me. I am not as cut as Cathe and crew are, and cannot lift as heavy, never will be able to, but I did just make a new personal best in my lifting: I can now use, for the first time ever, 20 lb dumbbells for shoulders and biceps, and I'm regularly picking up my 25 lb bells for leg and back work. Never could do any of that before. I also seem to be doing this while keeping my elbow tendonitis at bay. The only way I got here was by doing less, not more. My focus is "striving towards new levels of performance while keeping injuries at bay and increasing energy levels to meet demands of a busy life while keeping depression and anxiety disorders under wraps so no medications are needed.'

What do you need? What are your goals? How much time do you have? How healthy are you? Is what you are doing making you happy? How are your energy levels? If you are satisfying all these objectives, then you are on the right track. On YOUR right track. And mine might not work for you either.

So, original poster: try doing a little less, not more. Try varying your routines to include a little of everything: some of what you need and is recommended (heavy weights, bootcamp, HiiT) and some of what you fancy (running, bike, barre, dancing, hiking, walking, gardening, etc, etc). Rest and eat more and see what happens.

Clare
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Always great advice Clare!!
 
Thanks Clare, like you I recently had my physical and my numbers all looked good as well. As I continue this journey of getting older and finding that some things work to keep me fit while others not so much I agree that it just depends on what works for me. The ladies on this website always have good information and it's nice to pick your brains and see if there is anything that I can use and or identify with. As far as JeanneMarie, I applaud her for being so very healthy and enjoying the routine that works for her. I don't think I could ever do Hiit Bootcamp twice a day because I don't enjoy Hiit that much but I can definitely appreciate what it must take to have that workout regimen. Like I mentioned previously it will be trial and error to see what will work. I recently thought about getting a E-book on muscle building by Jessie Hilgenberg, she's very knowledgable about weights and training. There may be some things I can glean from her program as well.:)
 
Well said, Clare! What works for some may not work for others and there's no need to punish yourself in order to be "perfect" because what kind of life is that? I also dread HiiT despite its benefits and stopped forcing myself to do them so I would be doing the "right" thing. It wasn't right for me; think about what's right for you and I believe you'll be happier even if you're not ideal in your mind (it's very easy to become obsessed with what we "should" be). I know I need more cardio but I adore weight lifting and while I wish I weighed 130 pounds (I'm 5'7" at 140) I don't wake up dreading exercise and am happy that at 45 my body fat is 16%, muscle mass is 40%, and I have a healthy BMI. I used to work out 2 hours a day, 6 days a week and was miserable. To each his own, of course, but I feel so much better now that I listen to my body and what it wants rather than striving for some sort of ideal and beating myself up if I miss a few days. I apologize for rambling but I hope this makes some sense! Please don't think I'm deriding anyone for what they do - if that's what works that's great! :)
 
Just wanted to add (sorry!) that I mentioned being obsessed since I'm an ex-bulimic (20 years ago). And when I was doing my 2 hours 6 days a week I meticulously counted calories; I lost weight but I'd get upset if I had a piece of pizza or "blew it." My boyfriend pointed out that I was very fit but not enjoying life. As someone who has lost my entire immediate family before I was 43 (Dad to Leukemia when I was 35, Mom very suddenly to cancer at 41, little brother to suicide less than two years ago) the idea of living took on a whole new meaning. I try to think about them when I find myself nitpicking about that calorie count, missed work out or piece of pizza (or two!). Apologize again but I thought I might have come across as though I was over-analyzing everyone, which I wasn't (after reading Clare's post I just started thinking about things)! :)
 
kathydaffy said:
Just wanted to add (sorry!) that I mentioned being obsessed since I'm an ex-bulimic (20 years ago). And when I was doing my 2 hours 6 days a week I meticulously counted calories; I lost weight but I'd get upset if I had a piece of pizza or "blew it." My boyfriend pointed out that I was very fit but not enjoying life. As someone who has lost my entire immediate family before I was 43 (Dad to Leukemia when I was 35, Mom very suddenly to cancer at 41, little brother to suicide less than two years ago) the idea of living took on a whole new meaning. I try to think about them when I find myself nitpicking about that calorie count, missed work out or piece of pizza (or two!). Apologize again but I thought I might have come across as though I was over-analyzing everyone, which I wasn't (after reading Clare's post I just started thinking about things)! :)
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Thank you very much for the background information you gave us, it helps to know where your coming from and I'm glad your in a much healthier place. Trust me I do think of the ability to workout as a blessing in and of itself
 
kathydaffy said:
Well said, Clare! What works for some may not work for others and there's no need to punish yourself in order to be "perfect" because what kind of life is that? I also dread HiiT despite its benefits and stopped forcing myself to do them so I would be doing the "right" thing. It wasn't right for me; think about what's right for you and I believe you'll be happier even if you're not ideal in your mind (it's very easy to become obsessed with what we "should" be). I know I need more cardio but I adore weight lifting and while I wish I weighed 130 pounds (I'm 5'7" at 140) I don't wake up dreading exercise and am happy that at 45 my body fat is 16%, muscle mass is 40%, and I have a healthy BMI. I used to work out 2 hours a day, 6 days a week and was miserable. To each his own, of course, but I feel so much better now that I listen to my body and what it wants rather than striving for some sort of ideal and beating myself up if I miss a few days. I apologize for rambling but I hope this makes some sense! Please don't think I'm deriding anyone for what they do - if that's what works that's great! :)
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I think you are doing great showing numbers above and being very fit. I think no one has forced anybody into anything on this thread.:):)
Neither do I think anyone has overanalysed anything. Health is way too important to be mute about !!! You do not likeHiit and adore lifting good for you and it works. While we are the OP topic, I think lifting has proven to help get ride of love handles. I got to know this from few people I personally know and those I interacted with . I would rather be in such BMI range--- Middle than lowest one.

Life is too short to be unhealthy. I would rather function as a tank than depriving cause I love
my Hiit, plyo and lifting stuff. I want to do it properly. It has proven to work really well for me! Just saying!!

Ivy said:
Thank you very much for the background information you gave us, it helps to know where your coming from and I'm glad your in a much healthier place. Trust me I do think of the ability to workout as a blessing in and of itself
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Well said and could not agree more!

Take care Everyone!
 
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maddiesmum said:
Well:

Happy to hear that this routine works for JeanneMarie, but it would be sad if people took away from this, especially considering the amount of exercise the original poster already does, that even more hardcore, intense exercise is the answer to creating the body of one's aesthetic dreams.

Please don't copy: this isn't necessarily a model to emulate. Each one of us has to figure out how much and what type of exercise is not only enough, but which allows us to be our best self: i.e., healthy, full of energy to take on our day, well rested and emotionally/psychologically-nourished.
So, original poster: try doing a little less, not more. Try varying your routines to include a little of everything: some of what you need and is recommended (heavy weights, bootcamp, HiiT) and some of what you fancy (running, bike, barre, dancing, hiking, walking, gardening, etc, etc). Rest and eat more and see what happens.

Clare
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Clare, I agree with you. Nobody should ever "copy" anybody else. We should all do what works for us individually. However, you completely misinterpreted my point to the original poster. My point was threefold... 1) if cardio isn't getting her where she wants to be, then change it up, 2) she isn't eating enough for what's she's doing, and 3) you do not HAVE to do less as you get older.

Nowhere did I say that "creating the body of ones aesthetic dreams" was the answer. I am a 60 year old widow, having recently lost my husband of almost 40 years. My routine keeps me healthy, happy, and fit, and has carried me through the most intense grieving of my life. We all have a different story, and I was sharing with the hopes of helping.

So yes, maybe I'm not a model to emulate. Maybe I am. That is for each person to decide on their own. Please don't denigrate me and what I do as something unhealthy or undesireable. As you said, we all have to figure out what allows us to be our best, and live a full and healthy life. We can do that, and talk about it among ourselves, without insinuating that someone else's routine is unhealthy, or their goal is completely about aesthetics. (Although I am proud of my fitness and my muscles and am unapologetic about that....)
 
JeanneMarie said:
My point was threefold... 1) if cardio isn't getting her where she wants to be, then change it up, 2) she isn't eating enough for what's she's doing, and 3) you do not HAVE to do less as you get older.
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Strongly agree with this above ... Especially for point 3*:):)
I am aiming to be able to hold a plank as long as you do when I reach your age @JeanneMarie
Certainly, this is inspirational to ME!:)
 
Oh my JeanneMarie you are such a strong and inspiring person and I'm referring to your inner strength!!! You know I gleaned good information from both You and Clare. I am sorry if your feelings were hurt, I don't think she meant to hurt your feelings, I know sometimes when we put things in writing it can come across in a way we didn't mean it too. I admire you even more knowing what I now know, stay strong and stay the course you are so young to have experienced the loss of your husband. You know I think there are rules that we are given regarding exercise and then there are those of us who can modify those rules to fit us individually and as we get older its finding a way to modify those rules to work for us. I do think I need to up my calories, I also think I am suffering from some stress and that is why the cardio helps, it helps me to sweat it out. However, if I am going to do cardio and lift heavy, I need to eat more and take out one of those days of cardio as well as resting:). Oh and one more thing, I love what you said about us getting older not having to do less!!! I agree wholeheartedly!! You Rock Girl!!!
 
Thanks everyone for your kind words. I will miss my dear husband the rest of my life, but I choose to focus on the blessings instead of the hardships.

Like I said, everybody has a story.... and everybody has experienced sadness and loss in their lives. How we choose to react to that, and live out the rest of our days, is completely up to us. Honestly, it's the only one thing we have complete control of... our own choices.

I am doing well. There are still days that I wake up in complete shock that my love is gone. I didn't expect to be without him so soon. I have so many blessings around me though... my son, his wife, my fitness family, my health and lots of dear, dear friends. I couldn't do this life without all of them.

Thank you all for the support and for being such amazing women. All of you are such an inspiration to me.
 
JeanneMarie said:
Clare, I agree with you. Nobody should ever "copy" anybody else. We should all do what works for us individually. However, you completely misinterpreted my point to the original poster. My point was threefold... 1) if cardio isn't getting her where she wants to be, then change it up, 2) she isn't eating enough for what's she's doing, and 3) you do not HAVE to do less as you get older.

Nowhere did I say that "creating the body of ones aesthetic dreams" was the answer. I am a 60 year old widow, having recently lost my husband of almost 40 years. My routine keeps me healthy, happy, and fit, and has carried me through the most intense grieving of my life. We all have a different story, and I was sharing with the hopes of helping.

So yes, maybe I'm not a model to emulate. Maybe I am. That is for each person to decide on their own. Please don't denigrate me and what I do as something unhealthy or undesireable. As you said, we all have to figure out what allows us to be our best, and live a full and healthy life. We can do that, and talk about it among ourselves, without insinuating that someone else's routine is unhealthy, or their goal is completely about aesthetics. (Although I am proud of my fitness and my muscles and am unapologetic about that....)
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JeanneMarie:

I simply wanted to give a different perspective, as I always do on these forums. The phrases and words in your original text against which I was reacting are the following:
1) "excess body weight/fat" on people using the treadmill
2) "the secret"
3) "used to be a cardio queen"
4) "expect your body to look..."

There is an implied criticism in your post of those people who like their treadmill cardio at the gym: but who are you to judge them? Do you know why they like the treadmill? Perhaps, like Ivy stated, and as some of us agree, cardio is for them stress relief, in which case, they are maybe not in need of the "secret" to which you refer. And yes, you do refer to the body's aesthetics. What else does this "secret" imply?

Too often on these forums the answer offered to a person is to do more and Ivy already does enough! There is a way to read the program you now follow as doing exactly that: doing even more with HiiT bootcamp workouts twice per day. That's a hard routine for a lot of ordinary mortals to follow.

With the backstory you give here, latterly, it seems clear that what you do works for you and has been needed for the grieving process. You highlighted my point exactly: everyone needs something different. Glad to hear you are doing well, healthy, happy and enjoying life.

Hopefully, Ivy will formulate a plan for what she needs, physically and emotionally.

Respectfully,

Clare
 
JeanneMarie said:
Thanks everyone for your kind words. I will miss my dear husband the rest of my life, but I choose to focus on the blessings instead of the hardships.

Like I said, everybody has a story.... and everybody has experienced sadness and loss in their lives. How we choose to react to that, and live out the rest of our days, is completely up to us. Honestly, it's the only one thing we have complete control of... our own choices.

I am doing well. There are still days that I wake up in complete shock that my love is gone. I didn't expect to be without him so soon. I have so many blessings around me though... my son, his wife, my fitness family, my health and lots of dear, dear friends. I couldn't do this life without all of them.

Thank you all for the support and for being such amazing women. All of you are such an inspiration to me.
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Truly sorry to hear of your loss JeanneMarie. It is good to hear that you are doing well despite loss and sadness.

Clare
 
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