Who knows maybe I will end up like the guy that walked from China to Germany

I mean using those feet to be active does make you do incredible slightly crazy things due to the endorphin levels kicking into high gear. Like sign up for a marathon after only doing (3)-5Ks in your life. And giving yourself 15.5 weeks to train for it. (Yes Carrie, its actually the latter – certifiably nuts – haha).

I just finished week 10 of this beginner marathon training plan. Which means I already finished one whole week and two days of training! *crowds roar* Starting late into the plan yes. So from here on out comes the high miles on Saturdays. I actually look forward to them.

Yesterday, I got in 6-miles in a group hike. (Calorie pic shot. Mileage is being tracked with my Charity Miles app and/or MapMyRun app).

Then powered thru with a 2-mile run after.

And each day, I notice my pace is picking up without even trying. And I feel great. Water or Fitmixer consumption every 15-minutes and carb consumption every 90-minutes. With a healthy breakfast of oatmeal + cottage cheese, turkey sausage and sometimes a couple hard boiled eggs. And I feel like the energizer bunny!

Just crossing my fingers that this awesomeness keeps going!

Next up for me today – First and Foremost, Coffee. Then grocery shop & meal prep (Lindsay’s making me do it – haha. okay maybe not, but the all that fp inspiration has me wanting to be prepared)

Question: How are you rocking the weekend?

Belly Fat is proving stubborn to get rid of. My mother always told me that after you hit your 30s, watch out because it doesn’t like to come off. There seems to be more truth to now that I’ve hit my 40s. My journey has included weight lost and 100s of sit-ups. And while a few pounds were lost, the body fat stuck around. I love embracing my body I have but it still would be nice if the mid section cooperated more when it came building lean body mass.

So I gathered my resources to find out, what is it going to take to get rid of stubborn belly fat (at any age)! These 8 tips might just do the trick:

1. Plank. Crunches and sit-ups may not do it. It seems holding planks, for at least 30 seconds, to strengthen the core muscles will bring better results. Need a #plankaday reminder? Join the Plank-A-Day revolution where the plank police will come after you, should you neglect.
2. Lean Protein and Fiber. The combination is supposed to reduce your cravings and keep you full longer. Protein moderates insulin levels in the body and can help increase your body’s metabolism. Fiber aids in digestion and keeps you full longer.
3. Reduce stress levels. Stress leads to increased cortisol levels. Increased cortisol levels increase your appetite and cravings. High cortisol levels are also proven to cause belly fat. Is that why yogis are so lean? They’re stress free.
4. Good Night’s sleep. Your body needs 7-9 hours of well rested sleep. Because being sleep deprived leads to overeating about 500 more calories a day. It works in correlation with the above step regarding increase cortisol levels.
5. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar is supposed to aid in digestion, increase metabolism and inhibit the body’s ability to store fat. Drink up to 1-2 Tablespoons a day for the benefits. Recommend mixing Bragg’s unfiltered ACV ‘with mother’ with Fitmixer Aminos or Crystal Light fruit punch for easy drinking.
6. Fat burning cardio. Aim to add 30 minutes of cardio, in your “fat burning zone“, 3 times a week. Activities like jogging, walking, bicycling, or aerobics.
7. Weight Train. Lifting weights increases your metabolism but also creates a longer after burn effect. Meaning that up to 36 hours after your weight lifting workout, that boosted metabolism is helping you to burn extra calories throughout the day.
8. Clean Eating. Rid of the pre-packaged foods and aim for a diet rich in whole foods. Eat food high in fiber like fruits and vegetables. Incorporate lean protein like chicken, fish, turkey and lentils. Add complex carbohydrates, like sweet potatoes and whole grains. Eat healthy fats found in avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds.

It might also be wise to add patience while incorporating the 8 tips for building a lean, mean mid section. Of course, I wouldn’t mind being able to say I could have Abs of Steel in Six-weeks.

Question: Do you know any old wives tales for ridding of stubborn belly fat or have tips to share? Leave them in the comments section below.

You Might Also Like: Omron Fat Loss Monitor

(Image: plank on flickr under creative commons)

The Athleta Seize the Solstice Instagram contest is helping me to practice daily with my yoga on the mat. And this beginner yogi is loving it. Especially because I love a good stretch after my daily run.

But the added bonus to practicing daily with Athleta’s Instagram daily yoga poses – there is a chance to WIN EVERY DAY!

A little incentive never hurts.

While the contest has already started, there are still plenty of chances to win a daily prize! The contest runs from June 1st thru June 21. And on the day of Summer Solstice (the last day of the contest, June 21st) there is a chance to win a big grand prize!

But in addition to the contest… there is a chance to win a $50 Athleta Gift Card on this blog!

 
Giveaway: Enter once daily on this blog from Thursday, June 13 thru Wednesday, June 19. Winner of the $50 Athleta Gift Card will be announced on Thursday, June 20th.

Need help finding the entry URL? Simply tag your Instagram photo with the #seizethesolstice contest hashtag and watch it pop up in the Statigram stream below. Click your photo below, it will open in a new window and copy the URL in the address bar. Easy as that!

Upload your daily pose and watch it pop up here in the stream below!

Check out some of the fun in the #seizethesolstice contest

 
Beautiful entries!

And the poses are easy enough for any fitness level to join! I look forward to checking out all your entries!