Yummy yummy yummy we've got FRUIT in our tummies...10/10 club week 9

[FillyjonkthePumpkinEater]

ok franny isn't here so I've done it. Cos I'm like that

For anyone who wants a boost to their general health. The suggested goals are:

EAT 10 PORTIONS OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY

(if you don't usually eat much fruit and veg I would build up gradually or you could upset your digestion)

DO (AT LEAST) 10 MINUTES OF EXERCISE EVERY DAY

(can be yoga, stretching or something more energetic. The plan is that the idea of doing 10 minutes is not too daunting, and having started you may well find you want to do more)

There are no restrictions on what you eat so long as you get your 10 fruit and veg as well. The focus is not on weight loss but on improving our energy levels and hopefully our general mood and well-being.

Sign up below and post here to tell us how you're getting on and how you are feeling.

Basic guidance on what constitutes a portion of fruit and veg here

and more detailed information here

I have found that most gym's charge extra for pilates classes - usually cos they have to bring in outside teachers - not their own staff.
Whereabouts are you Franny - there should be loads of classes around - or at least a class that encorporates the techniques to see if you like it or not.

Franny - tatties has described pilates well. Just to add - we spend most of the class lieing down too with a big emphasis on breathing techniques with the exercises. Some pilates classes work with gym equipment (which i know can be expensive) Mine just uses a mat to lie on and occasionally we use these big rubber bands (like a rolled out balloons) to help extensions etc. Hard to explain really.

It works on your core muscles - lots of pelvic floor stuff, abs and buttocks!

It is excellent if you have a bad back btw - lots of spine streches and spine twists. I always walk out of the class feeling elongated!

It IS hard work though. It's particularly recommended for women who've had children to help build up the flabby tummy muscles! No sit-ups BTW-the pilates way builds up the deeper 'core' muscles and not the top tummy muscles which can 'bunch' if you've had split tummy muscles in pregnancy. (as i had )

I think it's great...but it can be expensive. Mine costs about £7 a session. (but then i live in a rip off area in Surrey so you can probably get it cheaper.)It's quite specialised and the teachers go through a lot of rigorous training from what i can see. I think that's why there are only really good teachers around and not many mediocre IYSWIM. It's not a techinque you can blag.

Sorry for ramble - got carried away!

BTW franny - how are you measuring your weight? I ask only because if you're weighing with scales then yes muscle is heavy. I was once told that surprisingly it isn't an acurate way to see if you're losing weight.

He advised measuring yourself with a tape measure...top of arms, neck, chest, tummy, abs, hips, thighs etc and compare from time to time.

I never use scales now...well, only when i'm stealing a moment in someone elses bathroom and use theirs out of curiousity.

Tracy - i'm keen to lose weight myself. Just have to see how it goes.

Beegee I was weighed as part of my assessment last wek at the gym. Yes I have definitely built muscle (I can see it! My arms are so skinny it was easy) and I expect that is what it is. I am not bothered, I was not aiming to lose weight, but did want to tone what I had, which seems to be working quite well.

Papillon you would be proud of me I am munching a big plate of veg right now . I have a question though, how come cooked veg is about 3 tbsp per portion but raw you need a small bowlful to make a portion? That can't be right, can it....?

Beegee and Tracy does Pilates take quite a lot of concentration because if so I shall forget it. If I do start going I will definitely go to the one at my gym, as I won't have to pay for the classes once I complete the introduction, and it is 5 mins from my house But I am not sure. It is interesting what you say about the teachers being very well qualified because I reckon this one has just been on every course she can get to lately, and other people have said they aren't that impressed with some of the results.

I suppose it does take quite a lot of concentration...breathing and using the right muscles. Once you've 'learnt' it though it gets easier and you know what you're doing. It suits me but maybe not everyone.

Could you go to one of your gyms intro lessons as a try out - just pay for that one lesson and not the whole course just in case you don't like it?

Do you mean the pilates teacher has been on every course going? Don't think i understand - sorry...my brains really tired today.

Yes, sorry beegee, she seems to have started a lot of new classes lately and a friend said one of them was pants, so I am sceptical

Can you tell me more about this 'bunching' tummy muscles thing pls? Wondering if it would explain my new silhouette post ds

As much as i know about tummy muscles - the muscles to work on are the deeper ones that are strengthened from the side of your tummy inwards towards your tummy button (verticals). Sit ups work on the horizontal muscles. If these horizonatl muscles are strengthened before the 'inner' ones then it can give you a bulging tummy which is hard to correct.

I had divarication (spliting) of the tummy muscles when i had ds but i didn't realise this and it wasn't picked up. After I used to exercise to try and get back in shape by doing conventional sit-ups etc. (probably made my situation worse)

It wasn't until late in my pregnancy with dd that a young keen midwife noticed that i had divarication and sent me to a physio once i'd given birth.

I was given exercises for 'transversus abdominus setting' which are very pilates based. She then recommended i take up a pilates class...and the rest is history!

Divarication is very common in pg women to greater or lesser extents. I'm amazed at how little pg women are told about it and how damaging 'sit-ups' can actually be post baby.

If you are getting any advice about exercise i recommend you take advice from someone who's trained in working with post-natal women.

BTW i think i still look 20 wks pg with my flabby tum but it is getting better...sloooowly!! Maybe i should get pg again to give myself a reason for the protrudence

Hmm that is interesting beegee, thanks for all this information

One of the easiest movements I found to start your Pilates workout is to -
lie on the floor on your tummy, then imagine there is a drawing pin under your belly button and pull in your tummy and pelvic floor (if you can - I can't!)and hold it as long as poss. Pilates uses this 'holding in' posture - but then destables your body by raising up onto knees and elbows etc so you have to work harder to hold your tummy in and not fall over! Then progresses to more advanced movements.
I prefer the fitball using the same techniques.

Yes - that's well explained tracy. Really hard work! BTW are you trying to lose weight yourself or is it more about general fitness??

I am trying to lose wieght (2 stone at least) but also trying to improve my skin and hair. They have suffered since having ds a couple of years ago - or is it me just getting older??
My hair feels a lot thinner and not as shiny and also getting a quite a bit of dry skin/psoriasis.
Have been eating some nice homemade celery and onion soup yesterday and today. Had chicken fajitas with peppers and onions for tea - then an hours tae bo.
Had granola and grapes and pineapple for b/fast and just ate a banana - BUT just been told that there are spare jam donuts left over from the trainees - oh no!! Is jam a fruit????

Thanks for all the pilates info, I think I will leave it for now and perhaps pursue it when I start to find the gym tedious.

We have a vegan friend coming for dinner, so easy peasy to get my 10 today. We are having wraps with hummus, tofu, roasted peppers, aubergine, mushrooms, and courgettes, and salad. Then soya ice cream and raspberry sauce for pudding

Franny, I must say that sounds delicious

I am having spit-roasted Boy with a side order of Whining Toddler.

I'll send you round crispy 3yo with pancakes and a side order of babynut squash to accompany that(delivery free of charge)

Don't mention it.

I've done ok - strawberries, raspberries, 1 banana, 1 apple, tomatoes, peas, mushrooms...not altogether!

Also eaten lots of cake but good excuse - my beautiful ds turned 3 today [proud as can be emoticon]