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Another useful tool in weight loss, is the good ol' measuring tape. I've just measured my neck, upper arm, bust, waist, hips (2 inches below my belly button - biggest part!), upper thigh and calf. WOW! Shocking! And, I also know how gratifying it is to not only see the weight go down on the scale, but to see the measurements decrease.
I don't just want to "lose weight" - I want to increase my muscle mass, and decrease my diameter. I know that people usually mean that they want to lose the fat, when they say "lose weight" (or, my personal favorite, "loose weight" - what's that, a flying discus?), but care must be taken not to lose weight too fast, and to maintain adequate protein in the diet. Otherwise, when the calories are reduced, the body takes what it needs from the muscle FIRST. Which is why "yo-yo" dieting can be so bad for one's health - the weight is regained, but also, more fat to muscle.
Plus, for us ladies as we grow older, doing weight-bearing exercises is so important to maintaining the bone structure. Because bone is hard, and seemingly permanent, I know that I often forget that it is living tissue; there's a constant exchange of calcium and other nutrients being taken and then replaced by the body, as needs arise.
Today's thought: Exercise, while you still can!
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