Nutrition and exercise!

[melbournian]

I started going to the gym again this month...I was a bit slack last month over the christmas period and put on a few pounds, but I'm trying to go 2-3 times a week. I usually do cardio or weights, and pilates once a week, and am slooooooooowly losing the weight I put on. It kind of helps that I'm a waitress so my job involves standing and walking around, but it doesn't help when the kitchenhand comes out to the bar with a bowl of french fries...

Diet wise I eat lots of fresh, home cooked stuff, very few processed foods, and I'm not really a dessert person (I've never been big on the idea of dessert every night - for me it's a treat when I eat out). We don't keep snacks, sweets or soda at home. My dad has type 2 diabetes and his dad also had it so my siblings and I are quite aware of eating healthily to minimise the chances that we'll develop it.

[jayem]

After taking some pilates and yoga classes, I just invested in a yoga mat and ball and created my own exercises that I do daily. I know which areas I want to target, so I just work on those and don't stress out any areas that don't need work. Also, 5 and 8lb weights are a must for me. I don't bother counting or doing reps either, since it gets so tedious. I just quit when I get tired. Some days its a long work out, some days its a short one. Oh, and no eating after 9 PM. I'm one of those girls who gains weight easily, and has a curvy body so I need to take extra care of it to stay in shape.

[scarlett]

Lil' Miss A - hang in there. If you continue with your exercise you will see results. Maybe your body is in a little bit of shock and is holding on to whatever it can, it may take time to adapt. That's a lot of walking, don't forget to give yourself a little down time to recover.
CanadaDoll - isn't bellydancing wonderful? Enjoy.

[Lil' Miss A]

Lil' Miss A - hang in there. If you continue with your exercise you will see results. Maybe your body is in a little bit of shock and is holding on to whatever it can, it may take time to adapt. That's a lot of walking, don't forget to give yourself a little down time to recover.
CanadaDoll - isn't bellydancing wonderful? Enjoy.

Thanks scarlett, my friends did mention that could happen. I measured myself last night and ive lost 3 inches from my waist and my hips, so somethings working

[certainlyred]

Oh, and no eating after 9 PM. I'm one of those girls who gains weight easily, and has a curvy body so I need to take extra care of it to stay in shape.

According to a few nutritionists I've talked to, the whole gaining weight after a certain hour thing is really a myth. Who knew, right? Even Oprah stops eating after 8. But in all truth, it doesn't matter when you eat, but what you eat. I'm not telling you to change your routine, but I wouldn't worry about a glass of milk before bed.

[CanadaDoll]

CanadaDoll - isn't bellydancing wonderful? Enjoy.

It is fab, I am loving it! (and also frustrating as learning anything new is) If you don't mind my asking, have you any tips on getting Drop Hips and Shoulder Shimmys isolated? I tend to keep moving other muscles, and though I try to practise 20-30 min daily I just can't seem to figure it out

[goldwyn girl]

I don't have a suggestion for that but when I learnt the teacher suggested isolating the tummy/rib area while in the car. It really helps those figure 8's

[scarlett]

Canada Doll - just keep working at it, the isolations come with time. Watching other dancers is very helpful. Keep your body relaxed at all times, slight bend in the knee, make sure you are not leaning forward. When you are concentrating on a drop, think "snap" as you drop or lift the hip.
Goldwyn Girls suggestion is a good one too. Try youtube for some breakdown tutorials. I took classes with Jillina to get my percussive movements, Mesmera for smoothness and Princess Farhana for performance and fun (still take classes w/ the Princess)
Enjoy.

[CanadaDoll]

Thanks for the advice Scarlett! I'll keep them in mind when I practise

[ShooShooBaby]

ok gals, instead of whining in the bathing suit thread, i'm gonna post here.

so. from riding my bike so much (and probably just being in my late 20s), my extra weight is starting to distribute itself in a really ugly way. basically, my legs, hips and butt are reasonably shapely, but my midsection is a disaster. all my extra weight is sitting between my boob-level and my hips. i know a person can't magically spot-reduce, but i'm trying to think of ideas to whittle away these areas without a ton of dietary restrictions or crazy amounts of aerobics. i'm a student AND a nanny and bike-commute at least 5 hours a week, so i don't exactly have a ton of extra energy to start a huge exercise routine, and not much time for going dancing.

does anyone have ANY ideas for me so i don't turn into an apple??