more than the abs

by anna
(Appleton,WI)

After having 4 full term pregnancies and several mid term miscarriages, I had lower stomach fat. It wasn't until I started exercising the entire body and losing weight all over that the lower stomach finally went away.

However, it is still the first area where I gain weight so it is and forever will be a problem for me. It is a matter of how important it is to you to have a flat stomach that will determine how much effort you put into it. For me it will be a continous effort for the rest of my life.

I am 57 years old and I exercise 4-5 days every week, alternating cardio with weights and yoga. I walk 3 miles 3 times a week and ride my bike a few miles (weather permitting) a couple days a week. Sometimes I put on my IPod and dance away in my house for at least an hour. Losing weight in the lower abs has gotten increasingly difficult to manage as I am aging.

I take Vitamin C, a multivitamin/mineral, Vitamin D, fish oil, drink plenty of water, eat 4-5 veggies per day (raw or juiced) as well as skinless grilled chicken, fish once a week, nuts and seeds, one half avocado just about every day and plenty of fresh fruit.

Yes, I do get my share of calcium. I am still about 10-12 lbs from what I weighed in high school. My cholesterol is 175, LDL is 117, triglycerides 65. My blood pressure has always been normal or a little low all my life until this past year. My physician wants me to lose these last 10-12 lbs before she decides if meds are warranted. I wear a size 6 and I feel good about that. Yes, it is a never ending process if you want to maintain a good physical appearance. Now if I could only lower that blood pressure :)