I know I haven't been blogging much lately and I can't seem to figure out why I lack so much creativity right now! I guess being on my feet all day doesn't help because by the time I come home and could sit in front of a computer (oh yeah, my laptop died so there is another reason), I would rather fall asleep than write. But one thing I have recently begun doing is writing a "Fitness Friday" article for the women's ministry blog at our church. I thought I would share this week's entry:
“Can you help me get rid of thisss…” is a question I hear regularly. Be it the rear end, the belly, or the “wobbly bits” you’d rather not talk about, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there really is no such thing as spot training or spot reduction. As extra, unused energy (i.e. calories) are stored away, we all find that it is stored differently: some individuals gain all over and some gain in certain areas of the body.
While you can’t make those problem areas go away, there are things you can do to change them:
1. Reduce your caloric intake and/or increase your exercise to match the needs of your body, thereby reducing stored body fat. Simply, calories in —> calories out.
2. Strengthen and tone your muscles because fat doesn’t burn fat. Muscle burns fat.
3. Remember that the first place you gain is likely the last place you’ll lose – the body has preferred places of storage that is unique to you. You can thank your mom and your mom’s mom for this. Be realistic about your expectations.
4. And, finally, the most important thing to remember: You are your worst enemy. While you may be acutely aware of your flaws, chances are that others are too focused on their flaws to care. In fact, I’d wager that most individuals would do a “I’ll trade your “chicken thighs” for my “chicken wings” if it were possible.
I think Peter (in 1 Peter 3:4) had it right when he told us to focus on “the inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Granted, Peter had probably never found any "hail damage" while contorting his body in the mirror, but he still got this principle really, really right: our physical bodies will wear down, wear out, and disappoint us…but there is a beauty that never fades!
Amy Walker, our “Fitness Friday” guest Blogger, is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Counsel on Exercise and holds additional certifications through the Cooper Institute of Dallas that include: Nutrition and Dietary Guidance, Special Populations, and the Biomechanics of Resistance Training. Amy owns and operates FitLab Metabolic Services.
Let me know what you think! I sure wish they would give some feedback as good as y'all do!
11 comments:
Great post! I miss reading your writing. You are so inspirational.
This is a really great post - thanks for sharing!
And thank you for stopping by my blog - your advice is really something I need to take into consideration. I honestly hate writing down what I eat or trying to count calories to see if I am taking in too much or not enough. I would love if I could afford a nutritionist or a personal trainer like I used to have back when I was in high school (and I had parents who liked to pay for those kinds of things).
I think that your blog is going to be very helpful for me and I am now a follower! Thanks for coming by my blog so I could find yours =0) Maybe it was meant to be!
That article made me sad! LOL I'm still gonna try to get rid of those wobbly bits though!
Glad to see you're posting - been missing reading your posts!
This is a great 'Fitness-Friday' entry!
Most common facts that people don't think about when they're popping Hershey Kisses into their mouths or eating McDonald's!
thanks for commenting on my blog! So glad I found yours!:)
I get hung up on #1 calories in calories out. So much easier to get them in than off!
First, thanks for stopping by my blog. :)
Secondly, I think that was a great post. All very valid and important points. I know that I have a friend that is so down on herself for her extra weight (about 30 pounds) especially in the mid-section area. She is frustrated because she works out so much and says she is eating well. It can be very frustrating. I too have those trouble zones, especially my thighs and hips, but have started strength training and noticed a difference. They may still be "bigger" but they are stronger and that's all that's important to me!
I just stumbled over here, and I have a question for you! I've been monitoring my calorie intake and exercising for almost 2 months. I'm very heavy (currently 257) and have a lot of weight to lose (have lost 17lbs so far), but I feel like with the drastic lowering of my calories and the drastic uptake in my activity (I go to the gym 3-5 days a week and am burning 400-600 calories each time) that I should be loosing faster. I know 2lbs a week is good, but I feel like it should be more? (I'm staying under 1700 calories each day). Am I doing something wrong or is this normal? Thanks in advance!!
Oh I've missed your posts Amy!!!! You are so inspirational and your readers/friends love you! I truly enjoyed this fitness post. I WANT certain problem areas to leave, but as I do lose weight I enjoy the spots that DO get smaller. :) I figured if I took all my stomach shelf and made it leave at once I'd look ridiculous cause my hips are still wide. I think I'll do my part - eat less and exercise more! I do love it love it when you post!
Thank you for sharing! =)
Really well said Amy! I just wish my body preferred to store fat in my boobs and not my ass! : ) Can't wait to see you!!! 5 days and counting!!!
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