Help, getting discouraged!

snommat · 30-Apr-04, 12:15 AM

I'm a newbie and need some help. I am 42 years old, 5'1/2" tall and weigh approx. 110 lbs. Up until November of last year I was very thin and a size 2 (due to fibromyalgia and heavy pain killers) I quit my job and the pain pills and put back on the weight. Now my dilemma: I started seriously working out in February and I have actually gained over an inch in my waist and hips. I am very discouraged as I want to decrease not gain! Here is my routine:

M-W-F - weight lift upper and lower body - generally 2 X 12 reps alternating two different machines at a time - then I do 30 -40 minutes on ellipitcal
T-Th - 20 to 40 minutes on elliptical

I eat a relatively high protein/low carb diet, but do have a problem consuming enough calories during the day. I probably average 1,000.

My butt has gotten rock hard and I do know that I have not lost the fat yet, I am very pleased with my upper body and it has really helped my fibro pain. But I can't get past the fact that I can barely button the size 4's that were falling off me in November. I am very discouraged (now don't say you wish you were that size because I get that all the time!) Do I just need to give it more time for the fat layer to come off? or should I be changing something? I do tend to carry my weight in my abdomen and thighs. Thanks for the help!

**Lady C** · 30-Apr-04, 08:55 AM

First of all you need to eat more food. Secondly, increase the weights and lower the reps. I am speaking from experience (a 40 something grandma). Carrying weight in the midsection is common in both men and women. I just think you need to tweak both the diet and routine some (less cardio, heavier weights).

Give us an example of you day - diet amounts and when and when you workout.

snommat · 30-Apr-04, 09:13 AM

I get up and go to the gym at 6 am, do my workout, come home and have a protein shake. Then it is just the normal daily stuff. I work 4 hours at a desk job so I usually eat my lunch at that time, normally veggies, and some type of protein. Night time is mainly meat, salad and some other type of veggie. On my off days I work out at home.

I lift the heaviest weight I can to fatigue so I am assuming I should go to 8 reps then. I do not have a problem staying motivated to go as I love working out!

**Lady C** · 30-Apr-04, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Then it is just the normal daily stuff

So . . .What is the normal daily stuff? Be specific. Diet is 95% of this.

You want to lift as heavy as you can to complete 4-8 reps. If you can complete the 8th easily, then increase the weight. Even if you can only do 2 or 3 reps - keep at it you will get it to 8 eventually. Also eat before you go to the gym (small shake or quick bowl of cereal). Going on an empty stomach is tough to get a real good workout!

snommat · 30-Apr-04, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the info on the reps. I actually did lower the reps and increase the weights this morning and kept my cardio to just 30 min. As for the daily stuff, if you are talking diet I struggle to find protein I like, my shake is about 11 g, I get approx. 7g at lunch and approx. 10g at dinner depending. I eat very little if any flour, sugar, etc. I am trying to up my intake of veggies and fruits but it is very difficult for me as in the past I only ate when my stomach said to and then very little. Should I add my protein shake in the evening? I of course struggle with the mind set that if I consume more calories I will gain more weight, I know this is not true so am trying to change that. I do take fiber twice a day for IBS. As for routine I work out in the AM, clean my house and then go to work for 4 hours, then come home and fix dinner and then usually just hang out. I am not really active in the evenings.

**Lady C** · 30-Apr-04, 04:24 PM

I know your problem. You need to eat more frequently and YOU NEED MORE PROTEIN! Change your diet to inclued at least 20 grams per meal for 5 meals per day. That is breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner! You need to intake between .8-1.0 grams per pound of lean body mass. Since I don't know yours, I used mine for your example.

Yes, frequent feedings make a significant difference and at first you will feel bloated and like all you are doing is eating. You only eat enough to tide off the hunger for 2-3 hours at a time. The portions are much smaller than what you are probably used to eating but it is well worth it.

snommat · 01-May-04, 12:46 PM

Awesome, I will try it. My husband will be thrilled, he is always bugging me to eat more. I will also change my workout routine and see what happens, meanwhile I will just try to keep in mind the long term goal. I still am confused as to why my clothes are fitting tighter but will just go with it. Thanks for your help.