Question for Cathe or anyone about body appearance afte...

[kelley111]

A little history. I've never actually been overweight, but last year I actually gained almost 10 pounds after my father died. I gained it over several months and weighed more than I ever have. Around Christmas I finally got my eating back under control. I have managed to lose the weight I gained plus a couple of extra pounds. I'm hoping to keep it going as I really would like to lose another 10 pounds.

My problem is that I think I look worse since I lost the weight, but my clothes fit better and are actually getting baggy. I've lost several inches all over and now I'm so flabby that I barely stand to look at myself. I'm doing lots of weight training with very little cardio which seems to be working. Is it normal that I look so flabby? It is not excess skin hanging down as it seems to go deeper than that. Should I go another direction and do more cardio and less weights? I'm happy that I'm losing weight and inches, but I hate the way I look right now. Plus it even feels gross. I'm just so flabby right now.

 

[Timber99]

Kelley,

I know that I have read many others say that they exoerience this when losingweight or reshaping the body. It is something ilke "it has to get better before it gets worse!" I noticed a few weeks ago that I felt really flabby and was thinking "god, what is it b/c workouts and eating are on target?" Then this week, I feel like my body looks/feels the way that it should.

There was a good thread on this in Open Discussions where Kit gave some great advice. here's the thread:

http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?..._id=133831&mesg_id=133831&listing_type=search

You didn't mention what types of food you are eating (ie how much protein, carbs, etc.) I am sure that plays into this, at least a little. Also, are you drinking proper amounts of water? I know that you said that you are doing mostly weights, but how much cardio are you doing?

My opinion - Just keep your head up and keep working out. If you think there is anything to change in your diet, try it. Sometimes just at the point where we feel frustrated is where we push that little extra and things will "fall into place" very soon.

Christine

 

[Epona]

RE: Question for Cathe or anyone about body appearance ...

hmmm, well, you say you have never actually been overweight, yet you are looking at a desired 20+ lb weight loss. If not overweight, do you or did you even have an extra 20 lbs of fat to lose???? I would think that you're "flabby" appearance is being caused by a loss of muscle mass. You are doing lots of weight training though....what are you doing for the weight training? Are you using weights that challenge you? If you are.....here is the big one.....are you eating enough?

I do not think your situation is the same as mentioned in the post above. That post seems to describe a situation for those just starting or getting back to exercising, and you have described a more long-term situation. I actually get that constant "pump" when I return to exercise from a long absence and my pants get tighter (ack) but when I lost fat, I did not have the situation you described.

If you increase your cardio and are not eating enough you will just cause further muscle attrition. Can you please describe your eating habits and your workouts in more detail?

 

[kelley111]

RE: Question for Cathe or anyone about body appearance ...

I totally agree that my diet probably has something to do with it. I'm going to really try cleaning up my diet starting tomorrow as I need to go to the grocery store. When I say I've never been overweight, I say this according to weight charts. I'm only 5' and was up to around 130 which is entirely too much for my height even though the charts say it is at the high end. I'm down to around 120, but would like to weigh around 110. I'm using Cathe's Gym Style training workouts and I'm keeping a log of the weights I use. I'm definitely pushing myself on the weights which I have never actually done before even though I'm a regular exerciser. I'm only doing cardio about 3 times a week for about 30 minutes using Cathe's workouts. I'm only doing 30 minutes because that is about all I can do right now, but I'm working my way up to longer cardio.

I actually think my body is going through a transition phase and I just need to keep doing what I'm doing and focus more on diet and maybe a little more cardio. I have actually lost 2 inches in my waist and hips as well as 1 inch in my lower abs and thighs, so I think I'm definitely doing something right. Thanks for the advice and the support.

 

[clareMc]

RE: Question for Cathe or anyone about body appearance ...

Kelley:

Keep your three cardios per week, and it's OK to incease the length of the sessions graduaally. This shouldn't cause further muscle attrition if you are working out consistently with the gym styles each week.
At this point, I would alter my focus rom trying to lose the last 10 pounds, to trying to eat to fuel your body and the exercise you do. As your lean muscle mass increases and your cardiovascular fitness soars, that last 10 pounds will drop off and you will look and feel fabulous. Dieting right now, as you are trying to lengthen your cardio sessions and build muscle, is a bad idea. You don't need to cut calories, just eat very healthy foods in good amounts for energy.

Clare