Question of the Day | 08/25/2009 11:00 pm
How do you keep your thighs in shape … if you do?
Marlo Thomas, Liz Smith, Mary Wells and Joan Ganz Cooney share their secrets to glorious gams.
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Yeah, legs are still okay at 54. If only somebody could say what to do about the stomach.
I walk, and I walk, then I walk some more. The chain reaction tones and keeps all the other sections where they belong also!
Walking is my exercise. I have always loved to walk. Last year I did the Breast Cancer Awareness 3-day walk in Seattle and really enjoyed training with my friends. This year I am in training with my friends although I will not be able to join them for the 3-day. Such an easy exercise for the whole body and a great social time with my friends.
Every morning before I get out of bed, I do 20 leg lifts without my feet touching the bed between lifts. Then I do 50 leg scissors, without interruption. Finally, I get out of bed and do 10 (man-style) push-ups. I’ve added this regimen to my day for the past two years (starting when I noticed my belly bulging) and the effect, for so little effort, has been astonishing. I also walk, but I’ve always walked. These exercises are what has made a huge difference. With each, I had to start with just a few, working up to 20, 50 and 10, but there is no doubt at all that these exercises have rejuvenated my body (at 61, I feel stronger and fitter than ever before!).
P.S. Cost of this regimen, in terms of gymn membership, trainer, equipment, and apparel…. ZERO!
I like that regimen, Sam. Simple and quick, along with a good dose of "wake-up". Since my issue is not necessarily weight but reduced tone, those exercises should work for me. I’m starting today, however, not in bed- hubby won’t be pleased with the bed jiggling. Thanks for the tip.
I do the exercises in bed because the softer surface is easier on my back. It’s hard (pun intended) to do them on the floor.
Dear Sam: Are those "man style push ups" the same as woman style or do they have a different heft? I’m so happy to hear you are now doing all those fabulous ups and downs and leg crossings in bed instead of that gummy bear Kama-Sutra stuff you used to engage in. In another year you will be so strong and fit you can go off to Nepal again and climb the highest mountain and like Maria, in "Sound of Music" sing about how alive the hills are once again. I would join you, but my legs were made for walking and I have enough little hills to climb right around here. The Sleeping Giant looms large.
Hey, Mrs. Pepe!! Those gummy bears sure know how to have a good time, don’t they? As for the push-ups, women usually keep their knees on the floor so that, basically, they do a push-up from a kneeling position. Men (and, of course, yours truly) do push-ups with only toes and hands touching the floor. Gummy bears, of course, just lie in the sun and wait until they melt. But then, as we all know, gummy bears are lushes (or should that be "luscious"?).
And, to our readers, don’t get the wrong idea about Phyllis’s "Sleeping Giant." It’s not what (or, even, who) you think it is!
An arc trainer (elliptical-type machine) does wonders…but I’ve learned you actually have to use it rather than just walk by;-)
I find that most exercises are rather difficult to do at my age. When I was younger I religiously did push-ups which I found to be the greatest and easiest way to keep toned up and in shape. (Can’t do them anymore). However, to-day I find walking is one of the best ways to keep in reasonably mobile condition and it doesn’t take much effort. In my case, all I need is a clear flat surface and interesting things to observe along the way, and I can walk until they have to come and find me. These two exercises, will keep anyone’s thighs looking just fine…even mine.
Since gastric bypass surgery and a ginormous weight-loss of 130+ pounds, I’m afraid my thighs have sagged and bagged. Loose skin? An understatement. I walk, I do exercises - it’s there. A fellow bariatric surgery grad told me she had taken care of her sags and bags with a tummy tuck, butt life and leg lift. She does look great now, but said it was an excruciating surgical procedure, with a lot of down-time for full recuperation. So … balancing the improvement in my overall health and well-being against the pain and risk of surgery, I’ll live with the wobbly thighs. After all, that’s what Spanx are for. (But I do feel bad about my thighs - my neck is OK, Nora Ephron, but oh, those thighs make me sigh!)
I’ve been an avid weight lifter since I was 20. so… 26 years now. I hike, bike,swim and run as well. Nothing crazy. I do some sort of weight resistance training 2 or 3 times a week and some sort of cardio 3 t0 4 times a week. anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours on a hike. and i love to walk. so if i’m not actually "working out" i walk. My motto is to move my body in some structured way almost every day. and break a sweat or make it hard 5 times a week. I vary what I’m doing based on if i’m traveling or sick or recovering or whatever. I don’t kill myself. But i haven’t missed long periods of time other than for a recovery in 25 years.
This is a subject i feel so strongly about there almost aren’t words for it. so I can get a bit "preachy". But ladies ladies ladies… ESPECIALLY after 40 you have GOT to do weight resistance. It is the miracle drug. It really is. Strength is much more important in our mid life and later life than are nice thighs or abs. It’s hugely important for our bones our metabolism our hormones… weight resistance affects every one of those in a huge way. ideally we should be doing 30 minutes of cardio at a difficult level (break a sweat, work at the breathing) 3x a week and resistance training 2-3 x a week. It’s better than sleeping pills, as effective as many anti depressants, better than botox….
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Three-and-a-half miles a day. Everyday. An hour-and-a-half. In EssEff that includes hills. Up and down. The solitary walk keeps everything toned including my mind. No distracting iPod, no conversation, no eating, no drinking, no smoking. And the dog knows how to hustle.
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