Hi Cathe! I don't know what is going on with me, but my butt and hips seem to be expanding as my pants are tighter in these areas. I tried to blame in on our new clothers dryer, but I am not so sure this is the case. My waist and upper body have stayed the same (actually, I think my upper body may be smaller, tighter). I haven't changed anything (except I rid myself of my awful peanut butter habit which is a good thing right?)I workout 5 to 6 days a week alternating cardio and weights. Is this an age thing or is the muscle making my pants tighter? I actually weigh 10 lbs more than I want to, but I blame it on the muscle (is this a correct assumption that the extra 10 lbs. could be muscle? HELP! I don't want to become discouraged after all the hard work I put into my workouts! Thank you for listening.
Hi Lisa! First of all are you in perimenopause at all? I don't know how old you are but this is my first guess. If your not old enough to be starting perimenopause, then I would seriously start by keeping a food journal & jotting everything down even beverages. I rarely eat bread & I have pasta only occasionally. I consume a lot of veggies, fruits & protein eating every 2-3 hrs. & I also consume 2 per week a sweet potato or either brown or Spanish rice. Are you doing this? If not, you should start if you can. I don't know what your schedule is either. If you take in more protein & fiber the weight will come off quite easily. Let me know if you need any more help. Kathy
I'm not sure, but it could actually be muscle. Watch your food intake, drink lots of water. The muscle may be building, yet is still under other layers which make your lower body appear larger. A few other factors- increasing weights may end up building larger muscles, possibly try more reps, lighter weights. Also, maybe increasing cardio? Granted, this is just my own findings so it may be different for you. Don't give up though! Just tweak your workout and see what happens.
Hi KathyH! I am 38 (is that old enough for perimenopause (I suppose it is). I do get enough protein and fiber. Nothing has changed in my diet, that is why I can't understand why my butt and hips are bigger (according to the way my pants fit they are bigger). I do eat pasta quite frequently ( but not much at a meal)and I have always done this. Do you think it could be the muscle that is doing this? I have heard muscle weighs more than fat! Thanks for your help, let me know!
Lisa, muscle weighs more than fat but it takes up less room. If anything, if you've gained ten pounds of muscle over the years (and that would take years to do!!), you would be the same size or smaller, not larger. I'm almost in size 4, and I'm 20 pounds heavier than when I was in size 5 easily in college, when I never lifted weights. 20 pounds of something is on me, but I'm the same size, and getting smaller!! I agree with Kathy. I would start keeping a food journal. It's really an eye-opener when you start writing everything down. It's so easy for us to "miss" things we eat every day, and not realize how much of them we're consuming. When you keep the journal, pay attention to portion sizes. One cup of cooked pasta is roughly 200 calories. Pasta is one of those things that's notoriously easy to overeat. If you're a frequent snacker, like I am, it's easy to "forget" things. Also, make sure you write down beverages as well. Even "diet" beverages. Remember that diet soda still contains carbonated water, and that will bloat you as quickly as high glycemic carbs will. Just some thoughts here, and I hope they help!
Hi Lisa! Could it be stress? I also wanted to add that sometimes unexplained weight gain can be directly related to excessive stress. Negative stress can be evil and interfer with your emotional and chemical balances. This can cause many problems ranging from overeating or irrational eating to interference with how your body absorbs the nutrients in foods.
Another thought could be that perhaps you simply are working out too much. Maybe your body is rebelling and simply needing a break. Consider taking a week off and letting your mind and body rejuvinate.
Thanks for the replies Cathe and forum members! How discouraging when my pants feel tighter and I worked so hard to fit into them. Lately, I have been under a considerable amount of stress (things are looking brighter though)! Cathe, your workouts are great destressors for me. I don't know what I would do without them. I don't feel I have been eating more, but maybe I have been and not realizing it. I didn't realize this could cause unexplained weight gain, (stress)! Can working out too much really cause one to gain unexplained weight? I would feel lost if I could not work out, not to mention guilty! Thank you again for all your replies!
Hi Cathe! I don't know what is going on with me, but my butt and hips seem to be expanding as my pants are tighter in these areas. I tried to blame in on our new clothers dryer, but I am not so sure this is the case. My waist and upper body have stayed the same (actually, I think my upper body may be smaller, tighter). I haven't changed anything (except I rid myself of my awful peanut butter habit which is a good thing right?)I workout 5 to 6 days a week alternating cardio and weights. Is this an age thing or is the muscle making my pants tighter? I actually weigh 10 lbs more than I want to, but I blame it on the muscle (is this a correct assumption that the extra 10 lbs. could be muscle? HELP! I don't want to become discouraged after all the hard work I put into my workouts! Thank you for listening.