Shortcuts to Slimness
Sometimes we need to see results sooner than can be delivered by dieting and exercise. So we try all sorts of shortcuts. Here are a few I've tried.
1) Slendertone / Ultratone, it comes in many incarnations, but offers faradic muscle exercise via pads and electronic impulses.
Years ago I bought a Slendertone "Gymbody 8," which was a set of pads you had to laboriously position, wire up and warily lie back while your muscles jumped around like Frankinstein the Monster on his slab. If the muscles didn't jump around, you'd placed the pads incorrectly and it could be quite painful. Well the kit wasn't very user friendly, so I eventually sold it. Slendertone then introduced their belt versions, and I've got the shorts that are supposed to tone your bottom and thighs, and the belt for the abdomen. The shorts version is just hideous to use. You have to grope inside the damn thing to peel off the protective pads; they're forever beeping, and it's all too much effort. The abdomen version is more successful in terms of usage, but I can't say I have noticed any results.
In the salon I tried Ionithermie, which provides the additional bonus of a clay mask in addition to the muscle toning. This works well, temporarily. A good quick fix if you wanted to slide into a tight dress for a party.
2) Creams and lotions
There are lots of creams that claim to firm the skin. Recently I tried Clarins Super Restorative Refining Body Care for waist & abdomen. Now this seems to work. I can't say I lost an inch round my waist, which some users report, but it definitely improves the appearance and tone of the skin. The only drawback is that it doesn't last long and it costs £45. Another product worth trying is Decleor Tonilastil Aromessence, the oil and balm. This helps tighten stretched skin and I found it good on the thighs.
3) "Magic Knickers"
These were 'outed' by Bridget Jones and by Trinny & Susannah, and have become more acceptable. In previous incarnations they were known as panty girdles! I've tried several different brands and to be honest, none of them are great. The Nancy Ganz slip, with built in bra, is awful and rides up all the time, plus the bra never sits in the right place. I have a hideous looking all-in-one by Annette, which comes down to the knees, in a skin colour. It's actually quite a good body shaper but it has a tiny opening for...er...going to the loo, and it's just not practical. I've got a black Miraclesuit which also has cycling short legs, and stops just below the bra with the aim of controlling a spare tyre (midriff bulge). The problem is, it starts to slip down during the night and you end up with a strange shape at the back.
The only type I would recommend are the straight forward cycling short variety as they minimise VPL and hold in the tummy slightly. But don't get too tight a pair because otherwise your stomach bulges over the top and the bottoms can be seen through your trousers. Miraclesuit & Annette can both be bought from http://figleaves.co.uk
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Sinning and Slimming
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, turning serious attention to losing some weight (a stone / 14 pounds). I was going to do it my usual way, counting calories with the online tracker, endeavouring to have five portions of fruit & veg a day and so on, but then I came across "Simandslim.com" which, for just over £16, gives you a personal diet plan with a controlled web site area.
Intrigued, I completed the online survey, which aims to give you some leeway in terms of 'sins' each day and week, plus one day a month where you eat all you like. This is a bit alien to me because when I'm dieting I don't try to build in "treats." I've always thought that's the wrong approach. You need to change your eating habits instead of expecting a daily chocolate bar. Anyway, the website insisted that I come up with some sins so I came up with weekly restaurant meal, an extra helping of pasta once a week, two large glasses of wine twice a week, and a dessertspoon of jam or mayonnaise daily (that one I won't do).
The diet plan itself is 28 pages long. Nowhere does it talk calories, fat units or anything else; it insists you have a lot of vitamin C as this is supposed to increase metabolism, and you have to eat quite often throughout the day. I will be interested to see how it works out when I enter my daily intake into the online calorie counter I use.
Tonight is my first challenge: we're going to eFour, the local Indian, where I normally have a chicken rogan. Sin and Slim tells me sternly I must only have tandoori meat with a portion of rice the size of half a fist, and some vegetables (not in a sauce).
I'll let you know how I get on.....
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, turning serious attention to losing some weight (a stone / 14 pounds). I was going to do it my usual way, counting calories with the online tracker, endeavouring to have five portions of fruit & veg a day and so on, but then I came across "Simandslim.com" which, for just over £16, gives you a personal diet plan with a controlled web site area.
Intrigued, I completed the online survey, which aims to give you some leeway in terms of 'sins' each day and week, plus one day a month where you eat all you like. This is a bit alien to me because when I'm dieting I don't try to build in "treats." I've always thought that's the wrong approach. You need to change your eating habits instead of expecting a daily chocolate bar. Anyway, the website insisted that I come up with some sins so I came up with weekly restaurant meal, an extra helping of pasta once a week, two large glasses of wine twice a week, and a dessertspoon of jam or mayonnaise daily (that one I won't do).
The diet plan itself is 28 pages long. Nowhere does it talk calories, fat units or anything else; it insists you have a lot of vitamin C as this is supposed to increase metabolism, and you have to eat quite often throughout the day. I will be interested to see how it works out when I enter my daily intake into the online calorie counter I use.
Tonight is my first challenge: we're going to eFour, the local Indian, where I normally have a chicken rogan. Sin and Slim tells me sternly I must only have tandoori meat with a portion of rice the size of half a fist, and some vegetables (not in a sauce).
I'll let you know how I get on.....
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Today was a significant date for a couple of reasons. Firstly, had I stuck to my post Christmas diet, started on 3 January, I would have reached target weight. Instead, I weighed this morning and was a pound heavier than my starting weight.
As Bridget Jones would say, "aargh."
I've got a normal BMI (under 25) and can still wear size 12 (US size 8) clothes, but there's no way right now I would wear a bikini on the beach. So, with Cyprus in June beckoning, I really have to knuckle down and get off my lardy arse (as John would say).
I have a terrific ally which is the website http://nutracheck.co.uk. It's an all-singing and dancing calorie counter and online diary, so no excuses for not knowing how many calories you've had.
The other significance of today is the start of Lent. I'm not strictly speaking religious, but it struck me as a good opportunity to give something up. So a large lump of cheese found itself hurtling into the wheelie bin just now, along with the Laughing Cow Lite ("no nutritional value" Gillian McKeith would say).
Stay tooned for how I get on. My new target date, as set by the website, is April 11.
As Bridget Jones would say, "aargh."
I've got a normal BMI (under 25) and can still wear size 12 (US size 8) clothes, but there's no way right now I would wear a bikini on the beach. So, with Cyprus in June beckoning, I really have to knuckle down and get off my lardy arse (as John would say).
I have a terrific ally which is the website http://nutracheck.co.uk. It's an all-singing and dancing calorie counter and online diary, so no excuses for not knowing how many calories you've had.
The other significance of today is the start of Lent. I'm not strictly speaking religious, but it struck me as a good opportunity to give something up. So a large lump of cheese found itself hurtling into the wheelie bin just now, along with the Laughing Cow Lite ("no nutritional value" Gillian McKeith would say).
Stay tooned for how I get on. My new target date, as set by the website, is April 11.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Today's Random Thoughts
I've never felt the same about Lorraine Kelly (GMTV) since I read that someone on her team resigned after a text destined for her husband went to LK instead. It said something along the lines of "LK is a witch and I hate her."
I used to think LK was sweet but now her voice sounds like Mrs Doubtfire and I find her cloying and irritating.
Daffodils
The Tete-a-Tete miniature daffodils are starting to come out in the front garden, joining the crocuses (crocii?). I shall take pictures at the weekends to make a scrapbook page. Spring is here!
Blogging
It was fun today checking back into two sites I discovered yesterday, myweblog and rankmyblog. On the latter my other blog still only has 3 votes (even though I've exhorted my colleagues and friends to visit!) and on the former I had a few messages and even someone joining my community. On Myspace, where I improved my page yesterday, I now have a friend, Frances (not just Tom, who's way too popular). Feel like I'm finally getting the hand of the blogosphere, after months of trying.
I've never felt the same about Lorraine Kelly (GMTV) since I read that someone on her team resigned after a text destined for her husband went to LK instead. It said something along the lines of "LK is a witch and I hate her."
I used to think LK was sweet but now her voice sounds like Mrs Doubtfire and I find her cloying and irritating.
Daffodils
The Tete-a-Tete miniature daffodils are starting to come out in the front garden, joining the crocuses (crocii?). I shall take pictures at the weekends to make a scrapbook page. Spring is here!
Blogging
It was fun today checking back into two sites I discovered yesterday, myweblog and rankmyblog. On the latter my other blog still only has 3 votes (even though I've exhorted my colleagues and friends to visit!) and on the former I had a few messages and even someone joining my community. On Myspace, where I improved my page yesterday, I now have a friend, Frances (not just Tom, who's way too popular). Feel like I'm finally getting the hand of the blogosphere, after months of trying.
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