I had considered getting a belly dancing DVD cause I know it is supposed to be a good workout, but doesn't have any impact to it. You have lots of workout DVD's, how does the belly dancing compare to some of the other low impact ones?

Sorry, I should have addressed this to Bling

i think bellydancing is more intense b/c you're mostly working out your core muscles, and the movements are so small. i've only learned a simple basic shimmy, but i can feel it working on my legs and my abs!

ETA: my coworker anne says bellydancing isn't hard once you get the basics down. it does take concentration, though, b/c you have to manipulate your muscles and train them to move the way you want them to. you have to force your brain to find muscles that haven't ever been used in the way bellydancing uses them.

so compared to other low-impact exercises like yoga and pilates...it's a lot simpler to do, but it's a more intense workout for your body.

i loved belly dancing - it is a great workout and your husband will like to watch your exercise

Hi Everyone,
I haven't been active in the forum lately, but just wanted to check in with everyone!! I started a low carb diet 3 1/2 weeks ago and have lost 12 pounds so far....It's a modified atkins (I think). Any way, its been real easy so far.

In the morning I try to do 50 jumping jacks, and 50 arm circles. Have a breakfast that is 25% of my total daily calorie intake, take a bunch of vitamin/supplements....drink a lot of water through out the day...eat lots of leafy green vegetables, and a wide variety of meat with fat. Somehow the fat part is important during ketosis.

Probably sounds gross to the low fat dieters out there...but I'm losing and fitting my clothes again. I'll be taking a blood test to check my stats (cholesterol, LDL, and HDL) soon. I'll let you all know how that turns out.

Keep up the good work you guys!!!!


cyn

great job, purewater! please keep us updated. i'm interested in that low-carb diet of yours

yay, purewater! let us know how your stats compare to when you started!

I'll probably try this for another month before getting tested. I'll let you know how that goes!

cyn

Hi,
Promised to give you an update. I lost 10 lbs total, was hoping to lose more, but at least my "fat" clothes are too loose now, and I'm able to wear my normal clothes comfortably!

My stats were suprizing. My total cholesterol was the same as a year ago 236, which is high, but my MD isn't worried about it because my HDL rose to 91. That number is freakishly high !!

My ratio is 2.6 compared to 3.5 last year. (ratio of <5 is supposed to be what we should be shooting for, the lower the better). My triglyceride level was 29 indicating that my LDL is also low.

I have yet to exercise, but I plan to start and then recheck my stats to see how it affects my numbers.

Since Jan2, I've been on a high fat diet (I know, cringe!), been taking supplements, and am losing weight. You go figure!

I think the supplements that have been affecting my HDL are Omega 3(not 6 or 9), Niacin, and Vitamin D3.

Anyway, I've been rethinking how I look at fat and it's effect on our body. Good sites on the internet on "Track your Plaque" on case studies about heart and health.

Hope you guys are doing well!!

cyn

I'm also trying to lose my baby weight :-) Its been almost a year and a half since my little guy was born. Before I got pregnant I was 120, at 35 weeks I was 170!! I joined weight watchers and I'm doing so good!! I'm down to 129 :-) My goas is 120 so 9 lbs to go!

wow - thanks for the update, purewater!

and congratulations, juje!

*^_^*