Exercising, but not going anywhere... why?

[Trinity721]

After almost 2 years of no real physical activity, I decided to take up running again. I want to do a 5K in 2 mos as incentive, and long term goal is a marathon in a year or so. I've been running for 3 weeks now. I feel great. I eat less and healthier than I did before. But I'm not losing any weight at all, I've actually gained weight! I keep saying to myself it's the muscle building up, and since it weighs more then of course that will contribute. But I'm just a little discouraged that I've been working so hard running and strength training (just low weights, lunges, core work, etc) without seeing much results All I'd really like to melt away is about 5-8lbs and hopefully most of it in my thighs . I'm disappointed in myself for letting myself get this way because it feels unhealthy and I just can't fit my clothes the way I used to. So it feels good now to be working out, but I'm just a little bummed... Any advice?

 

[Tarabra]

Hang in there, you are absolutely right, it is muscle weight. I've been hitting the weights again too, and even though the scale isn't moving too much, things are starting to fit better. Also before our recent Disney Cruise, I did a Shape ab workout that was 5 minutes a day, every day. It didn't seem like it was helping much, until I saw a pic of me and could see the beginning of a six pack at the top of my stomach. Now I need to bring it down to the rest of my stomach which is still pretty flabby after having a baby nearly 2 years ago. So stick it out, you'll see muscles you haven't seen for awhile. I too have about 5 - 7 lbs. I want to lose. 10 would be great though! Good luck!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Instead of weight, I would go by how your clothes are fitting. Any looser? You are probably taking off inches rather than pounds.

I wish I could get into running.

 

[goodeats]

You need to adjust your diet too. I trained for a marathon and ended up gaining weight because I was eating more. Also, your body will get used to expending the extra energy and won't burn as many calories. It's the same reason people who aren't very active go to Disney and eat like a pig but lose weight. They're body really wasn't used to all that walking. But for somebody that typically runs, lifts weights, etc walking is not going to counteract the cheesecake!

Start counting calories and making healthier choices. You'll see results soon!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I was thinking abou this last night...you might want to throw in some interval training as well...like when running one minute high intensity, one minute low intensity. Interval workouts cause your body to continue to shed calories even when the workout is complete, a lot like weight training.

 

[Trinity721]

Thank you all! Currently, since I'm still a beginner runner, I'm just trying to build up distance and worry about speed later. From what I've been reading, interval running should be done later in training when my body's gotten used to running. I was a sprinter in high school (but that was more than 6 years ago!), so I have never really run more than 3 miles, which is about what I'm running now on my regular runs. So hopefully I'll be able to do intervals soon.

I am more conscious of what I'm eating now. In college and pretty much my whole life, I was able to eat anything and as much as I wanted with a high metabolism. But my metabolism has certainly slowed down. Now is a great time to be more aware of what I'm eating, and a greater motivation is that diabetes runs in my family so I am definitely watching my diet.

I think my clothes fit better around my waist, but I feel like my thighs and bottom have more mass than before, probably because of running. So my jeans for the fall/cold season are a bit tight! Hopefully the muscle will start burning the fat in those areas! I'm also throwing in some yoga and pilates once or twice a week to give my muscles a good stretch and to lengthen them, instead of bulking them up.

Miss Jasmine, if you want to start running, you could start off with walking about 30 min a few days a week. I've been following training programs by Hal Higdon (do a yahoo or google search, you can find him easily). He has great programs for beginners and runners/walkers of all levels. I'll admit that running is not my favorite thing to do, but in the end it just makes you feel so good! So that's why I stick to it.

Thanks for the advice, and I'll just keep on truckin'

 

[Tarabra]

Good for you for sticking w/ the running. I HATE running! I've just never given it much of a chance. I do enjoy aerobics and spinning though. Keep going, and you will notice results.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Jenny, thanks for that info, I'll look that up! I all ready do the walking so I am on my way.

 

[magicmouse2]

I went to a gym for 3 months doing 1.5 hours 3 times a week before I lost any weight. I think you build up muscle and that counteracts the weight of the fat you lose at first. Keep the exercise up it will pay off soon.