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You know, I feel the same way when I'm with non-dancing friends my chronological *age* I feel great and I'm soooo much more flexible because I'm still dancing so much. But, it's a constant 'battle of the tummy' bulge and it is all about strength training for core muscles. I hate gyms too so instead do an 8min ab routine and it tightens up the middle noticeably. I know that doesn't sound appealing, but you don't even need special equipment - 50 ab crunches a day, if they are good ones will absolutely make a difference. And wait until you see how much stronger you feel with stronger abs - absolutely takes strain off entire back and you will be striding around. Walking and dancing will not do this by themselves, it's the core. There are any number of core belly dance videos out there; the only reason I don't have one is because our troupe director is herself a certified aerobics instructor and she gave us her 8 min. ab routine which is fun, varied and works, works, works. Oh and by the way, I've had two kids and although I'm not going for six-pack, more toned tummy is perfectly acceptable cosmetic result!
You probably will like the next thing I'm going to say, which is - loosing a LOT of weight (20 lbs and over) actually doesn't work alll that well, because it leaves loose skin; there are so many examples of women who lost weight and got into smaller dress sizes but are sooooo unhappy with the way their middle looks and I don't blame them. So yes, watch what you are eating but make that weight loss VERY slow and meanwhile, figure out some ab crunches - and start out slow (because you will feel it, I promise). Even if you only do them every other day - you will notice a difference. By the way, I'm in my fifties, size 16 and measurements are 43, 36, 48 - I'm not likely to get several dress sizes down and not interested in that becuase then all my bedlahs will be too big. I'm happy being 1x because I'm curvey! When I was in my late 20's and dancing, I was so thin it was heck to try and find costumes that flattered.
So, don't give up on diet, just go slower and even more important than writing things down is to MAKE A SHOPPING LIST every week BEFORE going to grocery store! Buy the nicest, freshest veggies you can and store them attractively in fridge; same with fruit and plan on having two protein rich meals a day to ward off the dreaded "snack attacks".
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