<p>UMMom2015, you might find that exercise, including lifting weights, makes you LESS tired. I had an incredibly stressful year (two sons diagnosed with mental illness) so I exercised very little. I felt like crap! I finally got back on the ball and started exercising last month, and have SO much more energy. I’ve lost 12 pounds. Still a long way to go, but at least I can get up in the morning not feeling horrible.</p>
<p>Sewhappy, I highly recommend spray tanning! YOu know you shouldn’t be “real” tanning at our age–just accelerates the wrinkle and “old lady skin” production.</p>
<p>LasMa,
"MiamiDAP, that’s lovely that you don’t need supplements. "
-I have never said that. I have been taking supplements since I remember myself. I believe that I have been taking them my whole entire life as I clearly remember my mother giving them to me and I am older now than she was when she died. I am dino here, I have been taking supplements for much longer than anybody here. Very surprized, you have mixed me with somebody else.</p>
<p>MiamiDAP, in post 45, you stated that you don’t believe in taking calcium or vitamin D. I think that is why LasMa thought that you don’t take supplements.</p>
<p>My short term memory is shot too. ;)</p>
<p>Thats awsome “lots”! Michelle has really inspired us with the ARMs, hasnt she?!</p>
<p>"Michelle has really inspired us with the ARMs, hasnt she?! "…but not so with some other parts of her body…if I am to choose, I will stick to what I have and I am at least couple decades older and I am by far not in good shape at all.</p>
<p>As to Michelle Obama’s “other parts”: No, she doesn’t have the anorexic supermodel look. She’s a normal, real, healthy woman who takes great care of herself. I think she looks fabulous.</p>
<p>Tricep dips are very effective, along with push-ups for the back and biceps. I also like to hold a plank position for 3 or 4 minutes. Many people only focus on the biceps, but the triceps are equally important. It is important to keep the shoulders down and back while doing these exercises - hunched shoulders will lead to neck pain and not target the right areas. </p>
<p>I do Pilates three times a week - in terms of body sculpting and overall toning, Pilates is the most effective exercise I have ever done. After 10 years of Pilates, I have a more toned body than I did in my 20s - unfortunately, I can’t do anything about the skin covering it.</p>
<p>I put the same lotions on my arms and neck and back of hands that I put on my face…</p>
<p>I thought my upper arms were bad until I went on vacation with my younger sisters and saw their upper arms, and that made me feel better. I do not like showing my upper arms and I HATE short sleeves now. I am on a search for elbow-sleeve tee shirts and tops so I always have them covered. Short sleeves are just not flattering unless you have very toned arms. And I don’t do sleeveless until it’s 90 outside.</p>
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<p>:eek: I thought I was progressing–now up to 40 SECONDS. I am in awe of you, gourmetmom!</p>
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<p>Chico’s has some I really like in a variety of colors.</p>
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<p>I’m impressed also. I hate, hate, hate planks. The most I’ve ever worked up to was 2 1/2 minutes.</p>
<p>and…has anyone noticed that every darn dress in the stores this spring season is sleeveless? Cute styles, great patterns but NO sleeves!!!</p>
<p>What is that about? Seems to go from long sleeve sweaters, to tank tops with nothing in between. From boots to sandals as well.</p>
<p>I keep a stock of shrugs and short-sleeve or elbow length cardigans to wear over sleeveless dresses. It also drives me crazy when I go to look for formal wear and practically everything is sleeveless.</p>
<p>I would probably not hold that plank position for so long if I didn’t have my instructor cheering me on. It’s sort of like boot camp, except she’s really nice. Having someone to tell me what to do is really helpful because deep down, I’m an obedient sort. If I were home alone, I’d give up after about a minute because it would hurt too much. She really brutalized me today - the plank, then pushups, then a sort of one-handed pushup using the Pilates chair.</p>
<p>Gourmetmom - I have a hard time believing you wouldn’t exercise properly without your trainer. I am sure she is inspiring, but you seem like someone who would have the self-discipline to do what was best for yourself!! </p>
<p>Well, this thread is timely. As I mentioned earlier, I have done weights since I was in my late twenties. I have been much too lax the past year and a half. I have not abandoned my racewalking, but I guess I don’t get the same relaxation from weights so I have NOT been as disciplined. </p>
<p>I am pretty slim, and even when I lift regularly, my arms are toned but not muscular at all. I have been trying to re-motivate myself and I am going to use this thread to remind myself that I am dangerously close to having batwings!! </p>
<p>As for wearing sleeveless - I can do sleeveless, but some short sleeve tops look terrible on me. Frankly, I would like to have an elbow lift. I have more extra wrinkled skin on my elbows - eew. </p>
<p>In fact, come to think of it, an entire skin lift would be nice. Have you ever looked down at your legs and noticed that the skin wasn’t moving at the same pace as your muscles?? </p>
<p>Faux tan does help. Or at least that’s what I tell myself.</p>
<p>worknprogress - try plain old vaseline on the elbows right before bed. Maybe it’s just my wishful imagination but I think it helps. Doris Day recommended it.</p>
<p>One of the best ways I know to achieve beautiful arms is ballet class. Also helps the shoulders, upper back and neck. I’m thinking about finding a ballet class for old girls . . .</p>
<p>I just can’t stand to do exercises for the sake of doing exercises. I can walk or run if it’s beautiful out. I can swim any time because I love the water. I can dance. But I can’t do plank or lift weights. I just rebel.</p>