My mom...

[Bvlgari]

Hey guys...

My mom wanted to subscribe some kind of e-diet program a few days ago, and I told her just about any money she spent on stuff like that over the internet was money wasted. She then asked me to tell her what to do, and I really didn't think I knew what I was talking about, because I've been out of the loop for a while, and it's exhausting for me to explain to her.

Then I remembered you guys. I've learnt so much from in here (I just haven't been working out consistently for about a year).

My mom needs some advice and directions. She is almost 52, amazingly youthful, but fragile as hell (she looks like you could break her like glass). We have no large excercise equipment, and she is horribly weak (not like she's dying... but it is kinda pathetic).

She has never done any proper excercising in her life. But too late is better than never...

I was hoping you guys (girls) could post some good advice here that she could read. What I think she is looking for is:

Important principles of excercising and dieting she should be aware of (a link would be fine)

Concrete excercises she can start doing that will get her going in the right direction, with good prospects.

The kind of diet she should be on. She doesn't want to bulk up. She just wants to look good

Her goal is to lose 10 pounds. In my opinion, however, she needs to change her lifestyle. I think the solution, long-term, should be permanent weightloss and progressing levels of fitness.

Anyways, hope you can help :


Kind regards,
Matt

[cursor]

Is she willing to exercise? That's going to be a key question.

[Lady C]

She can start by walking every day. This actually helps build bone mass and some muscle.

[threenorns]

definitely start her off by walking. work her up to an hour a day at a set time - that will get her accustomed to the concept of "this is exercise time". she'll start seeing great results fairly quickly if she keeps her diet consistent (and doesn't eat more than she already does) and that will encourage her.

after a while, results will taper off and you can gently introduce the concept of resistance training - maybe bands or aqua fitness would be the best way to start because the stress on the joints is minimized and it's not as threatening as the weights would be.

once she's no longer satisfied with those, you can bring in the pouffy weights (2, 5, 7, and 10) and so on.

i have a mom like that, but mine's no only ill but she's a bit of a hypochondriac on top of it.

[Bvlgari]

Thanks for the advice!

I'll show it to her. This in itself will encourage her, because it gives her direction.

She has already done some walking, and she follows a workout video. I personally dislike the idea of videos.

But with this, she can get started.

[Bvlgari]

My mom is seriously scatter-brained, and besides being kinda old (sorry, Cursor), she is really feeble.

My view of her is far from objective, but I would say she could use a little self-discipline, and she doesn't have a clue about personal fitness and diet.

I told her, among other things, that she should start out by eating in moderation. She's a great cook, so she makes the best french food, but it isn't healthy worth a damn. I think she is a little unwilling to make the lifestyle change required. She is pudgy, but not fat.

She lost 50 pounds a few years ago by simply starving herself, and since then, she's thought that no food is the way to go. She's gained some of it back now, and she's eager to get rid of the ponch.

I told her hard work and good food was necessary, but until now, she has been eating haphazardly, sometimes enjoying treats, and punishing herself the next moment by sticking to carrots.

Also, she has 3 kids to feed. She would rather not have to make seperate meals for everybody.

What are some good suggestions, ones you guys like from experience, of meals and recipes that could be multiplied to feed a family, that would fill young, hungry men, and still be healthy for my mom.

[ajarvis]

Oh I have a good one.
Monterey Chicken

INGREDIENTS:
6 medium red potatoes, cubed
1/2 cup butter, melted and divided
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup salsa
1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with aluminum foil.
Toss potatoes with about 1 tablespoon of melted butter until coated. Arrange in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove pan from oven, and push potatoes out to the sides of the dish. Place the chicken breast halves in the dish. Stir together the remaining butter and lime juice. Brush onto chicken. Return to the oven.
Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. In a small bowl, toss together the cheese, cilantro and salsa. Sprinkle over the chicken and potatoes. Return to the oven for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve with lime wedges.


Instead of butter I use oil, and not necessarily a half a cup, just as needed. Enjoy!

[mermaid]

Wow... that sounds delicious. I'll give it a try!

Thanks Ajarvis...

[ajarvis]

Your welcome

[threenorns]

check the recipes section - any number of yummy nummables in there. :