Getting fit/losing weight, lets do it together! - Page 20

Farasha Hanem · 11-08-2007, 11:50 PM

That's wonderful, A'isha! Keep up the good work!

Gee, now I feel bad, because I came here to report I lost another pound...

I've also noticed that there is now a difference in the way my body looks. I still have flabby, stretchmarked skin from pregnancy all those years ago (to say nothing of my vertical scar), but now, my stomach is looking more toned; I'm even starting to develop a TWO-PACK! YAAAY!

Should I eventually have that extra drapey skin removed? It looks kind of gross the way it hangs over my underwear band.

Auntie Crazy · 11-09-2007, 12:14 AM

Congrats, A'isha and Farasha! That's awesome!

Farasha, I don't know what to tell you, 'cause I'm wondering the same thing. I have a horizontal scar, rather than vertical, but losing the weight is leaving behind some floppy skin on each side of my lower belly.

It's obvious enough now that it can be seen under my clothes.

I'm not ready to let someone near me with a knife, but I might be once all the weight's gone. Depends on how bad it looks, I guess.

belly_dancer · 11-09-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

Congrats, A'isha and Farasha! That's awesome!

Farasha, I don't know what to tell you, 'cause I'm wondering the same thing. I have a horizontal scar, rather than vertical, but losing the weight is leaving behind some floppy skin on each side of my lower belly.

It's obvious enough now that it can be seen under my clothes.

I'm not ready to let someone near me with a knife, but I might be once all the weight's gone. Depends on how bad it looks, I guess.

please... before you do anything w/ knives....
lose all the weight you plan to,
then
exercise/bellydance for at least a year (consistently)
BEFORE you make the decision...
depending on your age (& your genes!) you may or may not feel the need for surgical intervention after that..
but of course the decision is yours... I have seen good results both ways...
a couple of students/pro dancers not needing surgery after the year of toning after losing weight...(everything tightened back up sufficiently)
& a couple of students/pro dancers who did not get the toning they desired (one after childbirth/one after weight loss) after a consistent year of exercise AFTER the weight was gone...... who went ahead w/ surgery....
good luck... & my opinion would be to try exercise/weight loss consistently for at least a year FIRST!!!!!

Auntie Crazy · 11-09-2007, 04:38 AM

Oh, I'm with you Belly_Dancer! I would have to be solidly, wholly convinced that exercise and time had both done all they could, and then even more convinced that I looked unsightly, never mind unsightly enough to op for surgery. We're talking at least a year, probably a few. And even then, it'd be a hard sell for me. But this is so far in the future that I like to keep my options open, you know?

Aisha Azar · 11-09-2007, 01:58 PM

Dear Ladies,
Just remember that there are costume styles that can cover just about every contingency and still show off movement!!
Regards,
A'isha

Auntie Crazy · 12-12-2007, 03:44 AM

Well, ladies, how is everyone doing? Still on track? Lost a few? Gained a few? Both?

I'm down 25 so far, but I have to admit to some frustration the last couple of days. This weekend, between belly dance and ballroom dance, I was moving, shaking and sweating for 10 solid hours, yet I had GAINED a pound Monday morning and I was up another pound this morning. How the heck does that happen??!! I was POSITIVE I would lose at least one after all that work and I'm really thrown that I actually gained.

Any thoughts? I didn't change my eating habits very much, if at all, so it wasn't 'cause I ate too many calories.

I'm upset a bit, I guess --- I have a Samba performance (in a sexy short black dress) on Friday and I was hoping to be down to at least 160 by then.

Brea · 12-12-2007, 04:47 AM

Here's the thing, everyone: counting pounds isn't so great because muscle weighs more than fat. If you are working out a lot you will gain muscle. When I am at my most fit I weigh as much as when I am at my least, if not more, because I tend to get muscles like those ladies in movies like Terminator 2. That's another thing. Weightlifting is the greatest thing ever. It's the only thing that'll keep working you out after you've done your workout. Whenever people ask me if bellydance helps you lose weight when I am teaching a class, I always advise them to do weight training. Not only is it good for you, it helps with the strength and stamina you need for the dance.

Currently, since I drive forty hours a week, I am a lot more bus driver shaped than Terminator shaped. But that will change soon, mark my words!

Auntie Crazy · 12-12-2007, 06:37 AM

Hi, Brea! Thanks for the reminder about muscle versus fat weight!

I'm ex-military and know all about how good weight-lifting is; I strongly second Brea's comments. For all-around getting in shape, you just can't beat it. In fact, I'm working with my fitness instructor on a new program that I'll begin on Monday.

I do know that muscle weighs more than fat....and knowing that has gone a long way toward managing my expectations when it takes eight months to drop only 25 pounds (well, that and three dress sizes). I just run into an issue when the weight goes UP. I find it hard to believe that I'm gaining so much muscle so fast that it's outstripping the fat loss, especially to the tune of two pounds in two days! Yippers!

We'll see how things look at the end of the week. I'm resisting the urge to simply not eat 'cause I know I need the energy for the performance - it just won't do to practice and work so hard, only to mess it up 'cause I'm to tired or too drained.

Speaking of which, I guess I'd better get my silly potootie to bed!

Later, ladies!

A.C.

Aisha Azar · 12-12-2007, 12:58 PM

Dear GAng,
I am discouraged right now because I havee gaining and losing the same few pounds for some time now.
Regards,
A'isha

Ariela · 01-08-2008, 11:19 PM

It's been awhile since I've been on. I'm starting a business and it takes a LOT of time : )

Anyway, my naturopath prescribed L-Carnitine and Co-Enzyme Q10 and I've been slowly losing - which is a miracle to occur in the winter!! I haven't changed anything else so wonder if these are completely responsible. Every pound lost counts

11-09-2007, 12:14 AM	#192 (permalink)
Auntie Crazy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 116	Congrats, A'isha and Farasha! That's awesome! Farasha, I don't know what to tell you, 'cause I'm wondering the same thing. I have a horizontal scar, rather than vertical, but losing the weight is leaving behind some floppy skin on each side of my lower belly. It's obvious enough now that it can be seen under my clothes. I'm not ready to let someone near me with a knife, but I might be once all the weight's gone. Depends on how bad it looks, I guess. __________________ "I have the talent of single-minded determination and focu…hey look, a cat!”

11-09-2007, 04:38 AM	#194 (permalink)
Auntie Crazy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 116	Oh, I'm with you Belly_Dancer! I would have to be solidly, wholly convinced that exercise and time had both done all they could, and then even more convinced that I looked unsightly, never mind unsightly enough to op for surgery. We're talking at least a year, probably a few. And even then, it'd be a hard sell for me. But this is so far in the future that I like to keep my options open, you know? __________________ "I have the talent of single-minded determination and focu…hey look, a cat!”

11-09-2007, 01:58 PM	#195 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,519	"Flab"bergasted!! Dear Ladies, Just remember that there are costume styles that can cover just about every contingency and still show off movement!! Regards, A'isha

12-12-2007, 03:44 AM	#196 (permalink)
Auntie Crazy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 116	Well, ladies, how is everyone doing? Still on track? Lost a few? Gained a few? Both? I'm down 25 so far, but I have to admit to some frustration the last couple of days. This weekend, between belly dance and ballroom dance, I was moving, shaking and sweating for 10 solid hours, yet I had GAINED a pound Monday morning and I was up another pound this morning. How the heck does that happen??!! I was POSITIVE I would lose at least one after all that work and I'm really thrown that I actually gained. Any thoughts? I didn't change my eating habits very much, if at all, so it wasn't 'cause I ate too many calories. I'm upset a bit, I guess --- I have a Samba performance (in a sexy short black dress) on Friday and I was hoping to be down to at least 160 by then. __________________ "I have the talent of single-minded determination and focu…hey look, a cat!”

12-12-2007, 04:47 AM	#197 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Here's the thing, everyone: counting pounds isn't so great because muscle weighs more than fat. If you are working out a lot you will gain muscle. When I am at my most fit I weigh as much as when I am at my least, if not more, because I tend to get muscles like those ladies in movies like Terminator 2. That's another thing. Weightlifting is the greatest thing ever. It's the only thing that'll keep working you out after you've done your workout. Whenever people ask me if bellydance helps you lose weight when I am teaching a class, I always advise them to do weight training. Not only is it good for you, it helps with the strength and stamina you need for the dance. Currently, since I drive forty hours a week, I am a lot more bus driver shaped than Terminator shaped. But that will change soon, mark my words! __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

11-08-2007, 11:50 PM	#191 (permalink)
Farasha Hanem Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the heartland of the USA Posts: 615	That's wonderful, A'isha! Keep up the good work! Gee, now I feel bad, because I came here to report I lost another pound... I've also noticed that there is now a difference in the way my body looks. I still have flabby, stretchmarked skin from pregnancy all those years ago (to say nothing of my vertical scar), but now, my stomach is looking more toned; I'm even starting to develop a TWO-PACK! YAAAY! Should I eventually have that extra drapey skin removed? It looks kind of gross the way it hangs over my underwear band.

12-12-2007, 06:37 AM	#198 (permalink)
Auntie Crazy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 116	Hi, Brea! Thanks for the reminder about muscle versus fat weight! I'm ex-military and know all about how good weight-lifting is; I strongly second Brea's comments. For all-around getting in shape, you just can't beat it. In fact, I'm working with my fitness instructor on a new program that I'll begin on Monday. I do know that muscle weighs more than fat....and knowing that has gone a long way toward managing my expectations when it takes eight months to drop only 25 pounds (well, that and three dress sizes). I just run into an issue when the weight goes UP. I find it hard to believe that I'm gaining so much muscle so fast that it's outstripping the fat loss, especially to the tune of two pounds in two days! Yippers! We'll see how things look at the end of the week. I'm resisting the urge to simply not eat 'cause I know I need the energy for the performance - it just won't do to practice and work so hard, only to mess it up 'cause I'm to tired or too drained. Speaking of which, I guess I'd better get my silly potootie to bed! Later, ladies! A.C. __________________ "I have the talent of single-minded determination and focu…hey look, a cat!”

12-12-2007, 12:58 PM	#199 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,519	Weight, etc. Dear GAng, I am discouraged right now because I havee gaining and losing the same few pounds for some time now. Regards, A'isha

01-08-2008, 11:19 PM	#200 (permalink)
Ariela Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 33	It's been awhile since I've been on. I'm starting a business and it takes a LOT of time : ) Anyway, my naturopath prescribed L-Carnitine and Co-Enzyme Q10 and I've been slowly losing - which is a miracle to occur in the winter!! I haven't changed anything else so wonder if these are completely responsible. Every pound lost counts __________________ The dancer's body is simply the luminous manifestation of the soul. -Isadora Duncan