spare tyre

[mydogsandme]

I'm developing a spare tyre round my middle although I'm pretty skinny everywhere else. Must be my age! I half-heartedly occasionally go to the gym but I really hate it. What are the best exercises to get rid of it- ones maybe I can do at home? Thanks in advance.

[Octavius]

Swimming, dancing, yoga and toning floor exercises will all help to shrink your waist, as will losing weight if necessary; in older people weight tends to come off the midriff first.

Help to maintain your muscle mass by doing weight-bearing exercise for arms (weights, gym) and for legs (walking, cycling, gym).

Five minutes a day of abdominal exercise will tone a flabby stomach: lie on your back on a mat with knees bent, feet on floor, arms by your sides. Raise head and neck off floor and gently lower. Repeat, building up to 20 times over several weeks. But expect an improvement � not a six pack.

You can look years younger, taller and slimmer if you just watch your posture. When walking or standing, keep your head upright, shoulders down and relaxed, tummy and bottom tucked in, knees relaxed. Go for an armchair that allows you to sit with your spine upright and feet on the floor, rather than slumping into deep cushions.

It is important to maintain suppleness, because an inflexible body may make it more difficult for you to achieve good posture or to exercise.

In addition to this, you need to reduce calorie intake. Your metabolic rate slows down because the body's muscle mass decreases by about five pounds a decade after 30. It is muscle activity that is responsible for most of your metabolic rate level, so if there is less muscle, fewer calories will be burnt.

[lia*]

How is your posture?
It has been shown that the main factors which determine the maintenance of the abdominal viscera in position are the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, both of which are relaxed and cease to support in faulty posture. The disturbances in circulation from a low diaphragm and ptosis (sagging organs) may give rise to chronic passive congestion on one or all of the organs of the abdomen and pelvis, since the local as well as general venous drainage may be impeded by the failure of the diaphragmatic pump to do its full work in the drooped body. Furthermore, the drag of these congested organs on their nerve supply, as well as the pressure on the sympathetic ganglia and plexuses (nerve centres), probably causes many irregularities in their function, varying from partial paralysis to overstimulation. Faulty body mechanics in early life, then, become a vital factor in the production of the vicious cycle of chronic diseases and present the chief point of attack in its prevention .... In this upright position, as one becomes older, the tendency is for the abdomen to relax and sag more and more allowing a ptosic condition of the abdominal and pelvic organs unless the supporting lower abdominal muscles are taught to contract properly. As the abdomen relaxes, there is a great tendency to a drooped chest, with a narrowed rib angle, forward shoulders, prominent shoulder blades, a forward position of the head, and probably prorated feet. When the human machine is out of balance physiological function cannot be perfect; muscles and ligaments are in an abnormal state of tension and strain. A well poised body means a machine working perfectly, with the least amount of muscular effort, and therefore better health and strength in daily life.

[mydogsandme]

wow, thanks for the quick and very full answers! I've only noticed a spare tyre this past year. I am slim- only 9st and a size 10 and 5ft 7 ins so I can really notice it on me and I really don't want to lose my waist as I've always has quite a nice slim one. I'm going to start the sit-ups and so on- I walk loads as I have two dogs and don't drive. Thanks for your advice.

[888sally888]

Get yourself an exercise ball and use it to sit on as often as possible and also do sit ups on it. I got mine from Argos and it has made a difference!!

[mydogsandme]

sounds good!