Right, now that I’ve got your attention by my title I’m going to talk about Women and their weight (or body size) woes.
As we all know there are stages or passages of life; from infancy and childhood, to teen, then adult, through to middle-age (forty maybe) and so on. We can be thin or a “fatty” as a child and completely different body type as an adult and there are many reasons for this; what and how much food is eaten, hormonal balance, and activity among these. Some women take part in strenuous sports and seem to have no worries about weight gain and more about exactly what to eat to fuel the activity. Some have a high metabolism and are always on the move, others no matter how little they eat or how busy their lives are seem to gain weight easily. Those who are mothers often tend to eat foods more suited to their growing children then to their own needs and with the rush and bustle of everyday life they pay scant attention to the slow but definite weight gain that’s happening each week.
Sports, the track, field and the gym are not the desire of at least half of all women. They have other interests and others who do enjoy these simply don’t have the money to pay for them during their younger adult life.
We reach 35 or 40 and then comes a time when, for most women, we take “stock” of our lives and plan ahead, maybe making serious New Years Resolutions for the first time; plans to get fitter, look better or retain our youthful looks, and for many – to lose weight.
For those who need to lose weight – the battle begins. It takes such a short time to realise it’s not an easy task but an ongoing way of life. It doesn’t matter why or how a women gained weight it’s going to take learning some new skills of fitness exercise and ways of eating to trim down again. There’s whole industries aimed at women’s weight-loss, organizations like WeightWatchers, Jenny Craig and more. Local Gyms and Fitness Centres offer specialised programs and doctors sometimes prescribe medications. There are books on how-to (eat right, exercise and home, take the best vitamins etc) and there are so many internet websites, forums and self-help guides that many women have no idea where to start. The lucky ones have friends, family, or neighbours to guide them. Some already know what paths to take as they’ve carefully taken an interest in nutrition and exercise through the years yet still they have gained weight and now need to be be more determined in their efforts to regain control; they might be hampered by emotional overeating or hormonal issues, by diabetes or insulin resistance. The latter can be a serious problem that means it’s near impossible to lose weight by exercise and less food alone as the body doesn’t burn fat in expected ways.
I encourage women to ask for help. Find out all you can about “how to” and be sure to engage your medical doctors help by getting a physical checkup before starting any strenuous exercise or dietary program.
I know, personally, the struggles of weight gain and the difficulties of trying to lose fat and regain fitness. I’ve written my story here: About Me
I’m currently gaining control again after suffering years of estrogen dominance (hormonal imbalance), some emotional overeating and, even though I’ve been active, lack of regular, planned exercise. I understand first-hand many of the issues women face and I’m able to encourage and also push customers to work hard to achieve their goals. Working as an instructor for Vibra-Train in Auckland City I’m in a unique position to help women who like myself who have gained weight as they aged from twenty to thirty and forty. Vibration Training on high force lineal machines builds fitness and muscle strength, tones and trims the body and is, without exaggeration, a life-saver for some women.
On a forum attached to a website that tells all you want to know about Vibration Training : www.vibration-training-advice.com I have come under attack for being a Fitness Instructor yet being bigger in body size than the (possibly) expected look of one in this job. My attackers are unknown to me and maybe just throwing stones at the industry I work in but; If they think that only the Trainer who is 20, slim, athletic and looks great in a bikini is going to be successful in helping women gain fitness and lose fat they are so very wrong. In training overweight women I have huge advantage as I know how it is, I’ve tried some of the remedies and I’ve found a method of exercise that works for everyone who gives it their best shot; Vibration Training. Within three or four weeks we see results. Later add in some gentle cardio exercise, like walking or swimming, adjust one’s diet (or see a specialised dietitian) if needed and smile.
I’d welcome the opportunity to meet anyone who thinks I am unfit to give advice or instruct others in fitness because I am not a “perfect” looking body. My bet is they are too cowardly to come in to the studio where I work or to contact me personally; probably they are grossly overweight, sad, and too lazy to do anything about it. I am making a positive difference in the world; in my own life and in many others. Anyone who speaks against this has some serious problems.
Recommended Websites for Weight Loss and Fitness Gain information:
www.vibration-training-advice.com
www.vibra-train.com
Thanks for the well-thought article. I’m actually at work right now! So I need to go off without reading all I’d like. However, I put your blog on my msn feed so that I can read more.
Haha, I lol’d at the “fair, fat” part.
But I like the article Di, and I applaud you for being a “real” fitness trainer. I think a lot of the time appearances are VERY deceiving, particularly when it comes to those “20 year old bikini model” fitness trainers. There’s more to being fit and healthy than having a tan and looking good in Yoga pants!
Thanks for your thoughts.
Celia
Trilastin
I enjoyed reading your post. It was very enlightning. I agree with what you said most of the time. I look forward to your next post.