Arm Exercises

In my youth, I had a body-builder boyfriend.  He gave me a simple arm workout, and soon I had scrawny but well defined arms.  Thirty pounds and thirty years later, it's time to get those arms back. 

I have always had trouble with the backs of my arms - my tricept muscles.  The Standing Wall Pushup is an easy beginner's exercise.  I can do it, and I have a wall.  No excuses here.  You stand facing a wall, about an arms length away.  Put your arms out until your hands are flat on the surface of the wall, directly in front of you at about shoulder level.  Lean forward inhaling, bending your arms at the elbow, as if you were doing a push up.  Exhale and push back away from the wall.  It's like doing a push up without being on the ground.  You can't beat that. 

Now make a plan for how often you will be doing this every day, and how many repeats.

Remember to use the chant "I must, I must have arms like Madonna"   or maybe this will work "I must, I must be able to wear sleeveless tops".  Whatever works.

Here's a link to a Youtube exercise video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqgud0M2eTo&noredirect=1
 from Personal Trainer Ellie Johnson.

What I Bought?

So as promised, after I lost my first 5 pounds, I bought myself just a few new warm weather clothes, just a few, because I need to keep cool in this hot weather, but I also need to lose more weight before I can get the whole new wardrobe.  I bought two new pairs of capris - not shorts.  My legs are too jiggly yet to come out of hiding.  Really.  I also bought two new t shirts - the arms are a little hider to hide my upper arms,  they are also a little looser around the middle to avoid highlighting my muffin top, but not baggy to avoid hiding in my clothes.  So, five more pounds and something else.  I am still stuck at seven pounds off, but things are good.

Inspiration

I am no Madonna.  But wow, if you are looking for inspiration to keep fit when you are past 50, check out Madonna.  Yes, she works out like a madwoman, but look at her..... Oh, she must have had plastic surgery, botox, whatever... Who cares?  She works out hard and there is no faking that.

No jiggly arms or muffin top here.  Too much?  She shows that it can be done.  Go Madonna.

When we workout we can chant to ourselves - "We must, we must have arms like Madonna"

Before

Today I am in good health or so I think, thank the lord.  But I could lose 20 pounds, lose the muffin top and jiggly arms.  My hair is boring and witchy and my skin is looking a tad wrinkly.  My wardrobe?  Blah, black, blah, etc.   So I have a long way to go.