I'm gaining....HELP!

[VAgal76]

So I joined a gym and got a personal trainer to help me in my quest of getting those last 15 lbs. I've been hanging onto for dear life. I must keep a food journal & my trainer checks it. Anyway, under his direction I starting doing protein shake/bars once or twice a day with other small meals throughout the day. However, of the initial 5 lbs I lost I gained 3 of them back here lately!!!!! I'm getting frustrated. It's been about a month. While my body is re-shaping, I'm getting hung up on what the scale is telling me. I actually have a bicep muscle now.....biceps, do you hear me? I don't feel like I look smaller, but others say they've noticed some changes. Are there any others that have kind of done a low fat, high protein diet that can comment or tell me if I'm headed in the right direction?????? I haven't cut out my carbs, but I rarely eat them at night. I just need a boost right now since feel like I need my clippie art to be taken away from me until I get the other 3 lbs off...AGAIN. My 8 week goal was 10 lbs & I only have 4 weeks left. I feel like I'm back at square one UUUGGGHHHH !

I appreciate your help & support!

 

[LAinSEA]

MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT!

Got it? Now repeat after me...

MUSCLE WEIGHS MORE THAN FAT!

The more muscle you gain - the faster your resting metabolism will be and the flab will go away! But the scale is not your friend at the moment. Find that pair of skinny jeans and use them to access where your body is and stay away from the scale for about a month.

Smaller, more frequent meals are a good thing. You're noticing changes in your body - biceps! Great job!

You should be celebrating your increased fitness right now. You deserve a great big pat on the back for all your effort.

GREAT JOB!

-Laurie

 

[Laurajean1014]

Muscle weighs more than fat, when your fitness level is high (body fat is somewhere in the 20% catagory). People do not necessarily know that.

When I exercise, I gain weight, but its because I feel I can eat more. So, I exercize by doing things I enjoy. Instead of going to Curves or a gym, I walk everywhere and take the long way. I don't feel like I have to think about the workout and then find that I am lighter than before.

Also, excuse me for asking, but sometimes these protein drinks clog people. Um, I mean, have you had a BM lately? Lack of movement in this area can hold weight. Also, it is probably water weight gain ~ lots of protein drinks have you retain water, too.

If you stick to a sensible diet and weight train, the lbs. will come off. Invest in a good scale (that weighs body fat mass and when you get to about 22% or less body fat, you may notice that as you continue to train you may gain a bit of weight and possibly lose your period (due to a hormone imbalance).

Stick to what you are doing and tell your trainer that you may want to forego the protein drinks for now and concentrate on the workout itself and graduate into drinks, bars and stuff that "pump you up."

Best of luck to you.

L

 

[DVCTiff]

The scale is not really an accurate measure of your Fit-ness. There are a lot of skinny people who are not fit. You're doing the best thing for your health right now, even though the scale is not making you happy. Try to concentrate on the big picture for a little while and revisit the scale when all your clothes are fitting better and you feel strong and healthy. It may not be so important what it says after all.

 

[VAgal76]

Thanks for all your encouragement and support! I haven't had any problems with the protein shakes thus far since I do keep lots of fiber in my diet also. I might try to slim back to one a day and see what happens. I have a good scale that measures body fat also so I decided it was time to measure it again to see if I had progressed. I hadn't done this since I started exercising and getting back on a food plan. Get this, I've dropped about 4% body fat!!!

I'm repeating after you guys....muscle weighs more than fat, muscle weighs more than fat. I think I'll make a sign and put it around me so I can keep reminding myself.

Thanks again!!! You guys don't know how much this meant to me .

 

[sm4987]

VAgal76- I have to say the same thing to myself. I'm losing inches like crazy but that darn scale doesn't want to move. I am exercising much more and with weight training. I gain muscles very easily, so I'll just have to take my smaller clothes and my same weight and be happy

 

[FreshTressa]

I too have a personal trainer, and get hung up on the scale.

I have been working out for over a year now and my body has TOTALLY reshaped. I have tons of muscle and my body fat percentage is in a healthy range. (I have gone from 190 to 160, 34% body fat down to 25%)

BUT, I have to tell you, I weigh 160lbs. No on really believes how much I weigh and I fit in a size 9/10. I get sooo hung up on the scale and want it to move so badly. I guess I just have to content myself that my body looks and FEELS better and I can do so much more now (like rock climb and kayak).

I truly believe that over time, the weight WILL come off, especially once your body starts kicking up the metabolism from the added muscle.

Good Luck!!

 

[VAgal76]

I really wanted to be a size smaller before our trip in June. I am going shopping this evening. Let's see what the clothes rack has to say now, too!

FreshTressa - I saw your pictures & WOW! You do look great. I would take that any day over a number on a scale.

I have a secret - I'm a little addicted to working out much like I'm addicted to this site. I don't know if I'm the only one like this, but something tells me I'm not. I go to the gym at least 5 days a week...sometimes 6! I love both cardio and weight training. Right now, I'm hooked on cardio kick boxing. It's an absolute hoot, but can be really challenging! Not saying I'm any good at it, but I always laugh when I do it.