feeling there is no use in trying

L

laura35

Cathlete
Cathe,
I am new to your workouts however, I have been working out regulary for about 6yrs. I started with the firm videos and got good results but platued eventually. I then have been doing bootcamp classes 2xweek running 3xweek. got good results. I am able to keep the weight off for about 5-6months at a time then it creeps back up on me. I decided to add spin class 1x week in place of 1day of running and thought that something new would work,havent seen any results from this. Anyway, I workout5days a week and it is like a war for me to maintain my weight at 120lbs. I am 5 '2 1/2 and am back up to 127lbs. I feel this is to heavy for me and I get so discouraged and feel like what is the use in all this effort of working out if it is such a struggle to keep my weight down. I am someone who is very hard on myself about my body. If I go over 124lbs I feel very pudgy and uncomfortable with my body. Not to be nosey but how tall are you and what do you weigh? You are in such amazing shape, I would love to have your muscle definition and overall lean body like your? I have had 3 kids by c-section and I am 36yrs old. I dont want being over the mid thirties to mean here comes my fat yrs. please help. I just recently purchased 6 of your videos last week and have done upper body pyramid and loved it. Cant wait to try your other workouts but again I hear this little voice saying why bother you still will be fat. please help! sorry this is so long, I know your a busy woman. Thank you! Laura
 
Hi there Laura!

I'm not Cathe, but just wanted to ask what your eating is like in terms of calories and such. Exercising and calorie intake work together in order to give you the results you are after. I understand how you feel it's a constant struggle. I'm only 4' 9" (hover between 105 and 110), so I feel like I have to work a little extra hard. Also, do you have a heart rate monitor? I find this very useful in tracking my calories burned during my workouts that way I know how to adjust my calorie intake each day.

I also wanted to add that I began doing Bikram yoga in June 2x per week and it really helps with leaning out because of the amount of calories you burn during the class. It's a 90 min class done in a room heated to 105 - 110 degrees. I usually burn around 500 cals per session. You can go to www.bikramyoga.com and fine a class near you. Keep your chin up:)
 
Laura, not Cathe, but...I understand your discomfort over your weight, but I have to say I would love to be YOUR size! I'm 5' tall (shorter than you by 2.5") and I'm sitting at 147 today (over 20# more than you!). There was a time these stats would have been a rude awakening for me (25 years ago!), but I'm still coming down from over 200#. BTW, I went through high school at 107# and was mostly at about 115# (more muscle...a lot of walking:)) in college and the Navy and into my 20's (have two children). Back then I thought 120 was insane, so I understand where you are.

You mention being 36 years old. You may find that it's harder, a lot harder, to get the POUNDS off now. Not to discourage you, but trying to give you some idea of what the next few years will hold for you. Please keep on exercising, eating as healthy as you can, get all the rest you can (good sleep), do a lot of stretching, and start reading up on perimenopause.

You're wise to try to maintain a good weight (there really isn't anything wrong with your weight for your height and age as it is, but I can see how it feels "pudgy"). It's a lot easier to fight this battle where YOU are than where I am...once you let it get out of hand, it's a really nasty, rough battle!

So please, don't give up!!!! You're doing better than you think.

BTW, is it possible some of those extra pounds could be muscle? I have no idea if you're an ecto, endo, meso; a hard gainer or not. But please don't despair!!!!
 
Hi Laura,

Not Cathe here, but I wanted to tell you that I am 47, 5' 2", 120 lbs. and telling you that the number doesn't mean as much as we think. For years, I've never been above what I weigh now (this is a max, except when pregnant and in my high school and college days), but I can tell you that I've never been more fit and looked as good as now. Sure, I used to weigh less, but no way would I trade it for how I feel and look now.

Keep with the workouts, but very important to watch what you eat. It used to be that I never worked out (just rode my horse) and could keep my weight down, but as someone else said, think I was losing water and muscle when I did lose weight. I use fitday.com to track my calories and it is simple to use. Gives you the % of protein, carbs and fat. The first day I input my calories (at the advice of Sarah "Ima"), I was shocked and thought, no wonder you're not losing the body fat. Now, I cycle my calories, 3 days at between 1350 and 1500, and the 4th day is around 1900, then repeat the 3 days... This has worked great for me and my layer of fat on my muscles has thinned out. I have lost a couple of pounds, but that really doesn't matter as much to me. I also can maintain my energy levels for cycling.

Another thing we seem to do is focus on certain areas of our bodies. I carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs, upper body I'm happy with, but my eye still goes to my hips so I feel there is more work to do. Very few of us are evenly proportioned. I will never look like Cathe, but that's okay. I'll focus on tightening up some of those areas that are larger, that's all. And it won't come overnight either.

My first love is road cycling and I do the workouts to help make me stronger for that. So the workouts aren't all about looking better, they are about performing better on the bike too. I highly recommend finding a sport or activity outside of just working out to give you a reason for getting more fit. I've always maintained that if you find something that's fun, you'll stick with it. Cycling is "it" for me.

Hang in there, it IS worth it. Your weight sounds just fine to me, many people would kill for that. Maybe you can set little goals like tightening up your inner thigh, or being able to see your stomach muscles a bit more, or getting a bit more lift in a saggy rear, or a little definition in the bicep area.

Sorry to blather on. Hope this helps.

Jeanette
 
>I workout5days a week and it is like a war for me to
>maintain my weight at 120lbs. I am 5 '2 1/2 and am back up to
>127lbs. I feel this is to heavy for me

127 lbs is too heavy??? :eek:

are you considering that muscle weighs more than fat?

i'm not cathe, but i do think you're way too focused on a number. give yourself a break! and respect the fact that you had 3 children and are fit and healthy. that's what counts in life.
 
Laura, stop beating up on yourself...you are a PHENOMENAL WOMAN...

Here is a reach out to you:

Phenomenal Woman


Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

by Maya Angelou



:) :) :)

Linda
 
Hi, Laura!
Don't be discouraged. We all have times when that weight creeps up and we have to put in extra effort---usually in the kitchen!--to keep things under control.

127 at 5' 2 1/2" is by no means fat. Also, if you don't like where you are with working out regularly, think of how much you might weigh, or how out of shape you might be if you didn't workout.

Tell that negative voice to just SHUT UP! and focus your attention more on the health benefits and fun of working out for a while.

Come on over to the "open discussion" forum for some more support and ideas for you. Tell us what kind of workouts you are doing, and we might be able to help you tweek your program a bit. We can at least give you some moral support!
 
Don't give up! You are doing great with working out and being a mother and having a job! Everyone knows there own body and what is comfortable for them. One thing that helped me was really looking at my eating habits. I lost 2 sizes ( in a couple months) after modifying my eating. I am 37 and have 2 children (1 c section) and also feel sometimes like I need to keep at it because what will happen in a few years. Anyhow, you are not alone. Melissa
 
Laura,

I am not cathe either, however like most of us have said, dont be hard on yourself. I also have 3 kids all by C-section! I am 5'2 and all my kids weight was pass 9LBS at birth okay, my second daughter weighed 10.2 LBS!!!! Can you imagine how my skin streached??
Your weight of 127 is my GOAL!!!I am so jelouse!!! so dont be hard on yourself.... I am sure you look great on the outside, just work on loving your inside then you will see yourself diffrent!

Andrea
 
I have to jump in here and second Melissa suggestion that you MUST really look at your eating habits. You said the extra weight "creeps back," and that happens when you don't closely monitor what you eat. No one wants to do this, but to keep from letting your weight get out of control you must do it. This is true no matter what your age, so even when you get older (take it from me at age 56) you CAN keep your weight where you want it. We see so many of these posts with the same lament - "I'm gaining weight even though I'm exercises at lot, and I can't understand why." It's usually a direct cause of too many calories taken in, creating an inbalance again calories expended. Even people who claim to "eat clean" can still be taking in too many calories. So get real honest with yourself, and keep a food journal which counts calories, points or whatever will help you get a really true picture of what your food intake is.
Just Do It! :)
 
I just want to say, you guys are great people. Your thoughtful advice is appreciated.I know everything you all have said is right. I need to work on my eating . That is my biggest problem. Fitness will always be a part of my life. It is something I love to do. Its a stress reliever and I feel so much better after I have worked out. I have a friend that tells me everytime her step daughter comments about me and that is what got me feeling downa about myself.She has commented twice within 4months that god Laura has gained wt. The thing is she is heavier than me. she weighs 138lbs and is only 22yrs old. My friend says it is because she is jealous that I am older,had three kids and look better than her. Still this hurts me. I dont even know why my friend tell me ,she knows how hard I am on myself anyway. But anyway I wanted to thank all of you for your support and tell you that I am not giving up. I am a fighter. Actually I just finished running a 5k. Thanks to your posts it gave me the push I needed today. I tried posting earlier but for some reason it didnt post, so hopefully this one does. again, thank you to a great group of people. Laura35
 
Laura, as you can see, you're in better shape than you think. I'm sorry about the comments your friend made. It's a shame she tells you negative things, knowing how hard on yourself you are. But I think she has some issues she needs to deal with instead of taking her jealousy out on you.

And CONGRATULATIONS on the 5K!!! WTG!:7
 
Hey, Laura...I think we all commiserate with you on the ups and downs of weight gain.

I am 40 years old 5'4" and struggle to keep fit. Like you, I work out at least 6 days a week and find myself amazed, defeated and sometimes quite deflated, if the scale has crept up a pound or two.

Your workout schedule is amazing. You work out regularly and seem to be determined to get and stay in shape. It sounds as though you get into a plateau with your work outs. Perhaps taking a look at your eating habits (I never use the word "diet") would help especially during those times that you feel that you are gaining weight.

My downfall is chips. Lay's Potato Chips! :9 So, when I notice that my skirt waistband is a bit tight...I stop eating them as much. I don't deprive myself, but I just make sure that I don't eat as many. Sometimes making tiny adjustments help push you over that plateau.

Don't dispair, I have found that using key words help. Don't say that you are feeling pudgy or that you fear you will be fat. You're goal is to stay healthy and fit. The moment you start using words like that, it helps. Believe me.

Good luck!!


:)
 
Yes I definately need to look at my eating habits.Its bad too because the holidays are coming and that doesnt help much.I think I changed things up abit this weekend. Idid a 5k race yesterday and turned around and ran 6miles today with some friends. I was really having to push myself through those last 2miles. I havent ran over 3miles in a month or so. I cant believe how much endurance and stamina you lose with running. I use to run 5miles 2xweek and then a longer run on weekends usually between 7-10miles. I backed it off because of my kids sports and actually I think that is why i have crept up in weight. Running has helped me get down to 120lbs something I was never able to do before. So I think that is one activity that I need to do. It works for me and when I have to back off from it, I notice a difference in my wt. I wouldnt even care to be at 122-124lbs but anything over that bothers me. Today I weighed 125.5 and that was at 12:00 noon today. I usually weigh first thing in the morning. My weight has been fluctuating between 124-127lbs. When it is at the higher end I feel bad about myself. I will keep with things and tweeak my diet. I got on fitday . com and am looking at keeping track of eating that way. Thanks for all of your support.
Laura
 
Dear Laura,

1. Keep on exercising
2. Eat clean (high protein and moderate carbs)

If you follow these simple rules there will be no way you are going to be overweight.

Sometimes we are slaves to the scale. Don't be. Maybe your extra weight is due to your muscles. Gauge yourself by your pants size. Is it looser or tighter?

Hang in there. I used to moan and whine about how my hard work was all for nothing but patience is the key to seeing result. I was expecting quick results, but changes take time to see. And please do not be so critical of yourself. Cutting yourself some slack in terms of your body image won't hurt.

Good luck :) !!
 
Hi Laura,

Just wanted to say let's hang in there! I've been in the same boat, esp. in the last year (I just turned 43), seems like my metabolism has shut down and it's been a real struggle. It does sound like your friend's daughter is jealous of your fitness level. Being fit is the most important thing, weight on the scale doesn't tell very much. I have to keep reminding myself that I look, feel and perform better than I did in my 20's!! Congrats on the 5k! I agree with Jeanette about focusing on sports performance, that has helped me tremendously over the last 5 years. I do triathlons and running events (marathons, half marathons, etc). I also need to focus more on eating habits, I think it becomes even more important as we get older.

Cheryl
 
I also have done two half marathons, 5k's and 4 mile races. I have a 4 mile race this weekend and another 5k dec 3rd. Yes those help keep me focused on fitness. It just doesnt feel good when someone says things about you when you have worked so hard to get to where you are.But jealousy is the thing. thanks for the advice.
Laura
 
Just had to say that the past two weeks I have had 3 people tell me how good I look. After they told me I was thinking that isnt what ashley said a month ago about me. But its funny I got one negative comment and three positive ones. They knock her comments right out of my head. Its amazing how you can hear opposite opinions from people around the same time. I am the same,havent lost any more weight . but I am okay with myself today. I have to keep remembering that. thank you all again for you support!
 
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