So as myself and DH power-walked around our little town in the outback of Western Australia last night, swatting the pestering flies which hovered in the air around our heads (yes, those cork dangling hats we see in the movies make sense), and trying to talk over the chatter and squawk of the corellas which are absolutely everywhere here, I pondered on this whole weight-loss lark.
What occurred to me as I sweated, panted and swatted, was that had I done this much exercise ten, or even five years ago, I would be hovering around the nine and a half stone mark by now. No question about it, regardless of diet or alcohol intake.
So what is it about getting a little older that makes our bodies so resistant to change? Well according to a book by Pamela Peeke, 'Fight fat after 40', our metabolic rate drops at a rate of at least 5% a decade after we reach our 20s, and after 40 our stress levels rise causing fat to gather around our waists.
Quite simply, after 40 whatever worked for us before, won't work any more and it's time to take stock of our entire routine.
How unfair this is on women! Like watching the sand disappear through a timer, I feel like my youth is beating a hasty retreat and I'm literally clutching at straws to keep it all together - the desperate workouts, the bi-monthly hair dye, the diet almost completely devoid of carbs. Conversely DH eats what he pleases and is slowly greying in a sexy, older man kind of way. His face carries the etchings of wisdom and experience, he's still climbing the ladder to a fulfilling career. In short, he's still 'got it' and he's still relevant.
Not only am I battling weight gain - and the odds are against me - but I haven't even done anything of note career wise yet. And telling myself that Mary Wesley was 71 when her first novel was published has stopped being a comfort and more of a threat.
So fat and unfulfilled, I may as well simply give up and wait for the grave to open up before me - double width because by then I'll be at least 40 stone.
But wait, according to Peeke, all is not lost! No, all this unpleasantness can be completely reversed if one only sticks to her advice. And it is this: for those of us over 40, it is possible to regain our former trim bodies if we simply ensure we get 45 minutes of aerobic physical activity five or six times a week - basically every day. In addition, make time for at least 30 minutes of strength exercise twice a week.
Also, cut down on portion size; that 25g of cereal recommended on the back of the box? Try that, turns out that's how much you were supposed to have all along! If this is difficult try using a (much) smaller bowl. Or better still, go without - or eat cotton wool, that will fill you up!
See, it's easy ladies! So easy I don't know why I didn't think of it and make that million writing this depressing book, since the advice is as plain as the nose on your face! Basically eat practically nothing, workout every breathing moment of your day, and you too can be not quite so fat as you are now!
This advice makes me want to punch a kitten and then make these brownies (below), and I don't even have a sweet tooth or, for that matter, hate baby cats particularly. In defiance I am going out to get these ingredients RIGHT NOW!
What occurred to me as I sweated, panted and swatted, was that had I done this much exercise ten, or even five years ago, I would be hovering around the nine and a half stone mark by now. No question about it, regardless of diet or alcohol intake.
So what is it about getting a little older that makes our bodies so resistant to change? Well according to a book by Pamela Peeke, 'Fight fat after 40', our metabolic rate drops at a rate of at least 5% a decade after we reach our 20s, and after 40 our stress levels rise causing fat to gather around our waists.Quite simply, after 40 whatever worked for us before, won't work any more and it's time to take stock of our entire routine.
How unfair this is on women! Like watching the sand disappear through a timer, I feel like my youth is beating a hasty retreat and I'm literally clutching at straws to keep it all together - the desperate workouts, the bi-monthly hair dye, the diet almost completely devoid of carbs. Conversely DH eats what he pleases and is slowly greying in a sexy, older man kind of way. His face carries the etchings of wisdom and experience, he's still climbing the ladder to a fulfilling career. In short, he's still 'got it' and he's still relevant.
Not only am I battling weight gain - and the odds are against me - but I haven't even done anything of note career wise yet. And telling myself that Mary Wesley was 71 when her first novel was published has stopped being a comfort and more of a threat.
So fat and unfulfilled, I may as well simply give up and wait for the grave to open up before me - double width because by then I'll be at least 40 stone.
But wait, according to Peeke, all is not lost! No, all this unpleasantness can be completely reversed if one only sticks to her advice. And it is this: for those of us over 40, it is possible to regain our former trim bodies if we simply ensure we get 45 minutes of aerobic physical activity five or six times a week - basically every day. In addition, make time for at least 30 minutes of strength exercise twice a week.
Also, cut down on portion size; that 25g of cereal recommended on the back of the box? Try that, turns out that's how much you were supposed to have all along! If this is difficult try using a (much) smaller bowl. Or better still, go without - or eat cotton wool, that will fill you up!
See, it's easy ladies! So easy I don't know why I didn't think of it and make that million writing this depressing book, since the advice is as plain as the nose on your face! Basically eat practically nothing, workout every breathing moment of your day, and you too can be not quite so fat as you are now!
This advice makes me want to punch a kitten and then make these brownies (below), and I don't even have a sweet tooth or, for that matter, hate baby cats particularly. In defiance I am going out to get these ingredients RIGHT NOW!
Ingredients
- 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) room temperature butter
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 18-20 mini Cadbury creme eggs, unwrapped
What to do:
- Heat the oven to 350F. Line an 8X8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a microwave safe bowl place the chocolate chips. Microwave, 30 seconds at a time, until melted. Stir to combine. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg and stir well.
- Pour in the melted chocolate and keep stirring.
- Slowly add the flour mixed with baking powder.
- Spread the batter on the bottom of the prepared pan and press in the Cadbury creme eggs.
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is set and firm to touch.
- Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Enjoy!
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