New member-have some questions/need some help!

[Anniebelle]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting, so here goes...Over the past year & a half I lost 20 lbs (& kept it off), mainly through eating properly. In December (just pass), I started doing cardio 3 times a week for an hour at a time. Recently ( about 6 weeks ago), I added lifting weights to my routine with help from my boyfriend (he knows alot). One day: legs & shoulders, 2nd day: back & chest, 3rd day: arms. I do cardio each day I lift weights (45-60 mins.)
Now my question/problem is this: I am about 5, 5", around 120 lbs, I eat well (99 % of the time), consuming approx. 1200-1400 cals/day. I try to eat more protein than carbs. Breakfast: egg white omlette, snack: hard-boiled egg/cottage cheese & apple, lunch: tuna/egg salad on whole wheat pita, apple, salad with chic peas, snack: protein shake, dinner: turkey/chicken with veg., apple. That is a 'typical' day although sometimes it does vary.

My problem is while I can notice tone to my body & I know I have not gained much weight from lifting, my pants are fitting tighter! I really seem to be filling out more in my hips. It's weird because if I look at myself in the mirror, I think "not bad", but when I go to put my jeans on, wow, I have to lay down to do them up! I also don't think it is related to TOM.

If anyone has any suggestions? Because of my job (RN) & working shift, I can only make it to the gym 3 times a week, sometimes 4. I also started taking Hydroxcut 3 weeks ago, which has helped as far as reducing cravings, improving my workouts, but I can't figure out what is causing the tighter pants!
I am open to any suggestions!

I would like to be able to fit into my pants & increase my lean muscle mass (loss body fat).

Thank you for any feedback in advance,

Anne

 

[takniteasy]

How about your H2O intake? I find that if I dont have enough during the day, I tend to retain water. Do you take any supplements?

 

[KEL]

Hello & Welcome Anniebelle!

Take some time and read because there is some great information on almost every topic relating to females.

 

[FitFossil]

Welcome Anniebelle! Congrats on your 20 pound weightloss-that is no small feat! Adding weight training to your program is going to help a lot, but be patient. 6 weeks really isn't that long . As you add more muscle, your metabolism will increase, making it easier to lose fat. It takes time for the body to adjust though, so your pants might feel tight because you've started to add muscle, but it hasn't been there long enough to help you burn off the fat.

Give it some time, don't be tempted to cut calories or up the cardio right away. As you add muscle, your caloric requirements will increase. I agree w/Spatts on cutting back on the sugar (the body sees fruit as sugar). Trade that for more protein and complex carbs like yams, brown rice, oatmeal, they'll stay with you longer than the apple. Flaxseed oil is an easy way to get your healthy fats - gotta have those, because they help your body burn fat + they help control hunger. And keep visiting these boards!

 

[kat1]

I know exactly what you are going through. This happened to me when I started lifting for real (real meaning heavy). ALL of my pants didn't fit. And it freaked me out a first. And pissed me off because here I was working so hard, and what happened, my pants don't fit LOL.

It has taken me a lot of playing aorund cardio and weightsas well as, and most importantly, finally sticking to the DIET!!! In another post, I said it has taken me a complete year to get it right, but I have found the right combo and it's working beautifull. So, in a nutshell, don't be afraid because you pants are tight. Once you get the diet down, you will be right back in them, trust me, because I am. And drink as much H20 as you can all day long. It just takes time. It is like a science experiement that involves a lot trail and error, but once you get the formula right, you will be home free.

Kat

 

[Anniebelle]

Thanks for the feedback!

Hi,

Thank you everyone for your suggestions/encouragement!
To answer a few questions, I do drink a lot of water, probably b/w 2-3L a day, especially when I am at work, as the hospital where I work is a old building & very dry! I recently started taking Hydroxycut, which I find helps with both reducing cravings & energy levels. I have been meaning to get my body fat % figured out & I will put that on the top of my priority list.
I do like yams & oatmeal, not to crazy on brown rice but I am sure I could get used to it.
With flaxseed oil, can you buy it in pill form? I know there are also some good food sources of flaxseed.
Do any of you have any motivational quotes I could tell myself if I am tempted to eat junk food? Being an RN, there is always some form of junk food around. Today at work there was chocolate & donuts! I do so well when I am not at work that sometimes when I am there it is hard to resist! I do believe in treating yourself but not every other day.

When I do lift weights I do normally 3-4 sets of 8-10 reps. I can give a complete breakdown of the amts. if that would help but I know what I am currently doing fatigues my muscle & I can see some definition. How long, typically, does it take for your body to catch up, as for the muscle to start burning fat?

I think that is all I can think of for now, but any other dietary suggestions would be welcomed! I always like learning about diet/nutrition.

Thank you all & I will keep you posted on my progress!

Anne

 

[FitFossil]

You can buy flaxseed oil in pill form, but it's more expensive that way. I buy the oil and squirt some in my protein shake. It has a mild nutty taste. If it tastes really bad, it's gone bad. You must keep it refrigerated (oils or pills) and you cannot cook w/it.

The 8-10 rep range sounds great if those last 2 reps are so are a real challenge. When you're getting to 10 easy, raise the weight.

As for a motivational quote to help you avoid temptations...mine isn't a quote but more of a visual (and pardon my weirdness but it works for me ) When I see something tempting like those office donuts, I mentally picture what they would do to my blood sugar. I see it shooting up, making my body produce excess insulin and then shuttling every last donut calorie into fat. Then I know that 30 minutes after, it will take a nose dive and make me even hungrier.

That's why I always eat protein when I eat carbs, to keep my blood sugar more stable. W/o the big peaks and valleys, I know I'll feel much better and my body will be more efficient at fat burning. The fat-burning turns off when the blood sugar shoots up.