Here I Go Again

[Dia Minha]

I'm beginning to get a little frustrated with my workouts, because I feel like I am not getting any results. At least not any that can be measured. I feel stronger, but feelings are hard to measure, if you know what I mean.

For a couple of weeks the weight was coming off nicely, but I wasn't loosing any inches. This week I didn't loose, I feel and look a lot better in my upper torso and arms, but my lower abs, buttocks, and thighs look bigger. They aren't measuring bigger, thank goodness, just look, I don't know thicker.

When can I start expecting to see my lower body slimming up. I feel like I am building muscle in all the wrong places and my body is slimming down in all the wrong places. It is almost like the fat is just readjusting itself instead of leaving. In other words my pants aren't fitting any better. Any ideas of what might be happening?

Dia

[Erudite]

I'm having the opposite effect. This week I lost inches but no weight. I too feel better for eating better and exercising more.

Isn't it cyclical though? Don't you find you lose weight a little better at specific times of the month and it slows at other times. I am pretty sure (I don't have a period to be totally sure) I'm in the slow part of the month right now, so I'm looking for loss again next week. You just gotta keep on, keepin' on. Remember what MamaLlama said about the ironman comp? You aren't an iron man anymore if you stop training. Results will come with continued training and if you go on being an ironman.

Also, working the muscle under the fat doesn't mean that the fat in that area is diminished. So don't work the lower body extra hard thinking that the fat will diminish. Work the lower body extra hard because those are the large (in the sense that they are stronger...not more bulky) muscles and the eat up more fat to work.

You can do it, Dia!

[Dia Minha]

Thanks for the encouragement Erudite. I really appreciate it.

I knew that working the muscle under the fat, didn't diminish the fat in that area. I just have always lost and gained weight equally throughout my body. In other words, I have always maintained a balanced, well-proportioned look. This time however, I seem to be getting smaller on top and bigger on the bottom so I'm starting to look a little bottom heavy. I did just quit nursing my one year old, and I know that could be part of the problem. However, I have never done so much toning either.

I guess I am just concerned that I'm doing it wrong or at least not right, because I'm not getting the results I expected. I expected to not loose any weight for a while, but drop some inches and instead I lost weight and not any inches. Then when I would have expected the weight to start dropping I quit loosing and still no measurable inches lost.

I do understand about how ones cycle can influence wieght loss. In fact, I always lost most of my weight while nursing. Then as soon as my cycle would start back up I would put on 2-3 lbs and then it would take me 2-3 weeks to loose that 3 lbs and then I would gain again. It was very frustrating, but by keeping at it I was loosing each month even if it was under a pound. My cycle has been all messed up. If it doesn't settle back in this month I'll need to go back to the doctor, because it is really affecting just about every part of my life right now.

I know I can do it. Thanks for reminding me. Sometimes I just get in those moods where I want it so much and I want it now, that I forget that it really does take time.

Dia

[natickgirl]

It is common to lose inches in the smaller areas first, because there is less there to work off. My arms & face shaped up quickly, but the bottom half still has problem areas. Women naturally have more fat below the waist, so it takes longer to burn off. "Spot reducing" tones specific muscles, but you can't "spot reduce" fat...unless, of course, you have liposuction!

You are doing great!!! Stay motivated...you can do it!

[Erudite]

I know the mood well, Dia! Sometimes I get frustrated with all the work I'm putting in not producing more visible results, but I keep thinking...this time next year, this time next year. It mostly keeps me in line...better than any other time I've tried in my life. I love that we're doing it together. Keep supporting me too, Dia!

Thanks to you too, Natickgirl!

[Dia Minha]

Hey I do that too. When I'm in the middle of my workout and I really want to just throw in the towel I start picturing myself at the beach next summer. I imagine how much more fun I will have because I won't be so worried about what is going to fall out of my bathing suit. I picture myself running on the beach and playing in the ocean with confidence. It really helps get through those really tough sets and the last half of cardio.

Sometimes it is too hard to look forward that far so I just imagine Thanksgiving with extended family or Christmas activities and how much easier it will all be, because I will be stronger and healthier.

I do have to say I have noticed a few things in my life that have become easier since starting all this toning. I took my little girls to the store the other day and couldn't figure out why it was so much easier, until I was lifting them up into their carseats and realized I didn't feel all worn out and sore from lugging them around. Yeah for me.

Dia