Jul
Hi guys,
I'm really confused. For the past month i've been working out every day(mostly cardio, but also some lifting/cardio mix) and eating very clean…lots of fruits, veggies, sugar free treats so I don't deprive myself and lots of nuts and proteins.
However it seems as if I’ve gained weight(according to the scale) I've gone up about 7 pounds actually.
I spent last semester in Italy and due to all the carbs and lack of variety in the food, I had maintained my weight but felt unhealthy. When i came home in May, I started working out hard to get back to feeling healthy and I'm so disappointed in my results so far( I do feel a little healthier inside but the scale is driving my crazy!!!) and my clothes feel tighter!
I only have about 39 days before I go back to college and i'm feeling like time is running out…ahhh! please give advice!
Answer:
Ask yourself this question before you get too worried about your scale weight:
“Do I look superior?”
Appearance is a much superior gauge of fat-loss and progress in your fitness training than some numbers on a restroom scale. It isn’t uncommon for people to gain weight after beginning a fitness routine — especially one that includes resistance/weight training. Typically that means you’re adding lean tissue (muscle) which takes up less space on the body and looks leaner and more trim. It also gives you more definition and “tone”, which most women are after.
Also, understand that eating more frequently, and adding in certain healthy fiberous foods like veggies, oats, whole grains, and even fruit can cause your scale weight to go up by a couple pounds.
The more frequent meals keep your digestive tract full for longer and the fiber absorbs water which can temporarily increase scale weight — sometimes by as much as 5 percent (which would be around 5 lbs on a 100 lbs person.) This is not a bad thing, since it's body fat weight you are concerned about — not the food or water in weight in your system.
In terms of your clothing feeling tighter, again, you could have added some muscle to your frame. This is good, because unlike fat, mucles is metabolically-active — meaning it consumes calories even at rest. So as you add more muscle, you burn more calories and fat.
Usually what happens is that you'll see an increase in scale weight from lean tissue, and then shortly after begin to watch body fat levels go down. That in-between period when your clothes are fitting a little snug can get people a tiny freaked out, but if you push through it, typically people will go down a size or two shortly there after.
If you're really concerned, purchase a pair of affordable body fat calipers and begin checking your levels each couple of weeks. It's a much more accurate indicator of body composition than a water closet scale. What you want to look for is gradual reduction in body fat, not scale weight.
As long as that's happening, you'll eventually hit your goals. If it's not, then we should speak about other strategies around your training and diet that might need improvement.
Links below to an article that can help explain why you should just throw out your loo scale.
Ideal of luck!
Answer:
don't freak out. just get back into healthy habits. go for a run each morning and take long walks in the afternoons. eat a massive breakfast to kick begin your metabolism and drink a ton of water.
find an exercise that's fun for you to do. I personally recommend dance dance revolution or getting a wii if you can afford it.
Answer:
Question to ask is did I lose inches? not did I lose pounds?
Answer:
Don't be demotivated. there could be a number of reasons why you aren't losing the weight you want. You may not be eating enough and your body is hanging on to fat or you’re doing the same workout routine and it's just not challenging enough and your body isn't being tested enough. You simply need to begin doing different things and seeing how they work. make sure you’re eating enough healthy food. So no junk food or fried foods and cut right back on refined carbs. Try to stay off white bread and white pasta and only eat wholemeal bread and brown pasta.
For exercise, start skipping each day if you can. Its an excellent fat burner and then you should go for a short 20 minute run. This will absolutely help you lose weight within a couple of weeks and if you maintain it, the weight will continue to fall off and your metabolism rise. Begin doing toning exercises after your cardio workout which will also help with raising your metabolism.
Here are a few examples for you to try:
http://instantfeelgood.blogspot.com/2008…
http://instantfeelgood.blogspot.com/2008…