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BELLY fat

sunshine3D
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How do I get rid of the belly fat that I have accumulated since beginning Coreg? My doc doesn't want me off of it. My symptoms are much better since the ICD implant (just over 1 yr. with no episodes) and I have actually returned to a bit more exercise but can't get the belly fat or the extra pounds to go anywhere!
I'm using a Gazelle glider, which the doc said to continue to use. I had great results about 5 yrs. ago when I first began. Now after getting past surgery and the slowing down I had just prior to ICD, I'm getting stronger but not seeing progress!
Suggestions, anyone??

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Beta blockers Surgery Pain Coreg Depression Stress

13 replies

martzj

Hi sunshine3D,

I have a great strategy that works for me. You might try it for one week and see if you make any progress. I've been on beta blockers for 13 years now.

Steel thyself: BEST & FASTEST results (usually can see a difference by day 2) can be had by eating standard heart girl meals and portion sizes(you've been at this long enough that you know they have to be smaller than normal population)....but absolutely NO FOOD AFTER 7pm....until right before you hit the pillow for bed. Then a spoonful of yogurt/cottage cheese or 1/2 banana or 2 Triscuits to fool tummy into feeling fed enough to let you sleep is allowed. No more, just enough to coat stomach if that is a night med requirement.

Within days the abdomen will begin shrinking thanks to the stomach becoming smaller because it works while you sleep. If you wake up hungry, you know you're on the right track. It's a gradual thing, this easing back gently on portion sizes. Being on heart meds adds that 'unfair' waaaaaah challenge that other women don't have....but there are ways to work it. Worked for me at all ages (smile). The most dangerous times for women are when we FINALLY get to sit down, put our feet up and watch a favorite tv show, read. That is when our appetite sneaks up on us and badgers us to head for the snack stash. Don't do it!!!!

Go forth and conquer. Try it for one week so you won't feel too overwhelmed at first. Every pound heart girls lose gives us huge advantages in deferring future problems.

Let us know if you try this out. It always takes BOTH body movement & no eating after 7pm (I go to bed around midnight-ish) for me but darned if that doesn't work every time. Conversely, if I do eat late at night, I wake with triple the added weight next day thanks to beta blockers...waaaaaaaaaa : )

take good care,
Jaynie

kardia

Hi Sunshine and Jaynie,

Totally understand your struggle Sunshine!

I love the "waaaaa" factor Jaynie.

Lately, my belly grew out a bit, and I have always been referred to as "flatbelly", never had children. So, I "waaaaaed", a lot but then realized, that my schedule had not allowed me to exercise....four times a week...hmmmmm

and of course I was eating mansized portions .....again....one usually follows the other...then my stomach forgets that it really isn't hungry but just wanting.

You reminded me to get back to basics, my meds have also slowed my system down a bit so totally understand Shunshine what you mean.

I keep thinking about how you mention swimming as a way to workout, Jaynie, and we have a beautiful community pool where I live...I want to get down there, maybe I will. Thanks.

I love the feeling of waking up hungry. It is the best.

kardia

martzj

Actually, I usually eat child sized portions now....and try to stay a little bit hungry most of the time, the only way I feel I'm not overloading my heart. Just dangling in the water and swishing legs and arms gently around is enough for circulation and flexibility enhancement. Thank goodness, because I'm not interested in being another Dara Torres : ) Water is the only way I've found to keep moving everything for long enough periods of time to make a solid difference.

Enjoy yourself Kardia,
Jaynie

Clematis

So...i hear the reports which I follow including; not eating after seven, vegan twice a day, one meal of protein, carbs and exercising daily including; one hour cardio, two to three hours of gardening-hormones flopping all over the board, beta blockers, statins, nitro,...stomach continues to grow...non-heart patient friends around the same age are reporting the same issues...any advise appreciated.

ceebee

I agree with cutting back on portions ... not meals. Since December, I've been vegetarian. I NEVER thought I could do it... although I've always steered (get it?) clear of red meat. But I really believe it's the best thing I've done for myself. Also, I have really tried to cut WAY back on sugar. I think that's the secret culprit in belly fat. I exercise daily (love Jazzercise) and now have more energy to do other things... like REALLY clean my house... get back to my gardening. It's also helped with depression and stress.

I've lost two dress sizes and my belly is definitely shrinking.

Good luck and don't give up!

Rose

I will try your method. My biggest problem is exercise.
Everyone say exercise but it is hard to do when at the end of the day I am in pain and exhausted. I have decided to try a chiropractor since nothing else is working. I am going tomorrow night. I want to be able to walk, stand, and move without being in pain. I hate how I look (7months pregnant) and feel. I would love to re-join a ladies gym I used to go to but right now it would be a waste of money because I couldn't use the equipment. I haven't given up yet but I am feeling discouraged.

I have found if I have something to do with my hands while watching TV it takes away the desire to eat. I have been croucheting scarfs to use as Christmas gifts.

Have a good day.

Warm Regards,

Rose

martzj

ceebee,

2 dress sizes is awesome!!! Man, that feels GOOD doesn't it? : )

Rose, I was hoping to hear you were making a habit of dangling and swishing gently around in your pool this summer......Especially after all you've gotten yourself and family through lately m'dear. I do my best NOT to use the term 'exercise' in my vocabulary...because that's not fun!! I prefer to think of ways to keep the body 'in motion'....whatever the movement (smile).

take care,
Jaynie

sunshine3D

Thanks for all the replies and comments! I will consider what has been said..........in fact, I already am trying that "nothing after 7 p.m." thing.
I must also say that I am SO PROUD of myself! I went over 2 miles on my Gazelle Glider (w/the video making it easier!!) for the first time in almost 2 years! I had been using it consistently until the heart started causing so much trouble a little over a year ago! Now, post ICD 1 year, I am able to do it again!!!
I'm sure this will contribute to my ability to FIGHT THE BELLY FAT if indeed I am able to continue on this route to success!

Hope someone finds some encouragement in this!

ceebee

Martzi... it does feel great. I just have to stay focused and not fall back into my awful eating habits! (although that food sure tasted good at the time) I'm always searching for better alternatives to stuff i used to STUFF myself on.

Rose

Jaynie,

I do dangle and move back and forth in the pool but I only manage to get in the pool 2 or 3 time a week at most. This summer has been terribly busy and I am sick of it. Next week is labor day and I haven't been anywhere or even had one day off for just me. Every day I have had off was either for medical or to babysit. I Iove my grandkids but I am ready for a break. I need a vacation really bad. I have one at the end of next month and I can hardly wait to park myself under a tiki hut and sip something cool. A week of not having to do anything is just what I need. Where we are staying has a pool bar so I may manage to sit on a stool and move my legs while having a beverage. This could count as exercise.

Today has felt like Friday all day and it is not and I have to work tomorrow and I don't want to. Oh well I guess I should be grateful I have a job to go to because so many people don't. I will stop complaining and get back to being happy.

Warm Regards,

Rose

laurahc

Just getting in the pool and moving feels wonderful. My pool has a lane set aside just for "water walking," so we slow folks don't feel overrun by all the Dara Torres and Michael Phelps out there. :)

-Laura

martzj

Rose,

"A week of not having to do anything is just what I need. Where we are staying has a pool bar so I may manage to sit on a stool and move my legs while having a beverage. This could count as exercise. "

hahahaha! Oh definitely exercise! You so deserve a whole week of doing NOTHING but lolling around, no big decisions beyond where to eat next (smile).

Hubby and I spent a week at a beach house and by day 2 I was drunk on the sheer bliss of doing nothing....sea breezes, pounding surf, playing in the ocean...lolling on deck w a clear nightly view of the Milky Way...my brain was in 'duh' the whole week. Fab ulous!! Maybe because we live in such a mega high energy area with constant military ruckus, jets, screeching firetrucks, vehicles, trains.....I found myself slowly coming back to life on that deck because all I could hear were purely natural sounds....wind, surf, water, gulls, sky. Only one puttering airplane all week. We were near Cape Hattaras on The Outer Banks. I cried when we had to come back a day early because of stupid hurricane Bill causing ocean washovers on the only road out of OBX. That natural 'duh' high lasted another day back at home before being squelched by life once again. At home there is too much artificial night glow from the gigantic shipyards to see stars. I missed them terribly.

Have a tiki drink on me!!! LOL

Jaynie

Rose

Your trip sounds wonderful. I am sorry you got cheated out of a day. I am praying we don't get hit with a hurricane when we go.

Had to go to the dentist this moring with a terrible tooth ache. I have an abcess and need a root canal but they can't do it till I take antibiotics so it is set for next week on Wednesday. This is not how I wanted to spend the weekend. Tomorrow I turn 61 and I just wanted to simply rejoice that I am still here and chill out. Oh well, the pain will definitely let me know I am still here. I don't complain about getting old because the alternative is not to my liking.

Warm Regards,

Rose

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