Should I stop weight training?

[mari27]

Hi Cathe and everyone,
I would like to know if I should stop weights for a while I had a baby 10 weeks ago and I have been eating right and exercising and cannot seem to lose a pound I managed to lose 3 pounds with cardio and then gained the 3 once I picked up weights.
I was thinking of just doing cardio until I lose 20 ppounds and then pick up the weights again.
How much weight can you gain in muscle and when does it start to level off and work for you.
I am 200 pounds and would like to lose 50 pounds all together.
And 20 pounds like really fast.
Should I continue weight training or can I put it on hold?
Thank You,
Marisol

 

[MadnNatsmom]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Apr-01-02 AT 12:10PM (Est)[/font][p]Isn't it frustrating??? But, I would not recommend that you stop strength work. Muscle burns more calories to maintain itself, even while you rest. AND, strength work keeps your metabolism revved up longer than cardio work.

You may have just lost water weight with pure cardio (I sweat like crazy when I do cardio). I wouldn't worry about the scale. It's a poor way to gauge your progress since your weight can fluctuate so much (weigh yourself before and after a meal: Do you really think you can gain 1 or 2 lbs by eating one meal?)

You mentioned that you wanted to lose 20 lbs really fast - I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the faster you lose weight, the more difficult it is to maintain the loss. Trust me, I was so happy when I lost my final STUBBORN 10 lbs in 3 weeks (due to stress, not eating right) but, once I resumed regular eating, I gained it right back.) Also, when you lose weight rapidly, you are losing MUSCLE as well as fat, something that will definitely work against you.

Bottom line is, be patient. It took me almost 2 years to lose 30 lbs. but I am strong and have muscles I'm proud of.

 

[clareMc]

Mari:

I agree with the lady above. When i started weight training, i got even bigger than before. I put on weight, bulk and felt yucky. My clothes were even tighter than before. This was not what I had bargained for. But it is part of the process of gaining strength. Cathe said on one thread somewhere about three or four weeks ago that the body gains weight beuse lean tissue weighs more than fat cells, but also because the muscles accumulate a bit of water to begin with as they get used to the training. It must help with the healing of the muscle after you tear it through weight training. So, don't despair. Keep going.

Try to look at your achievements rather than what you have not managed to lose yet. Try to enjoy your workouts for you rather than focussing so much on seeing fast results. Throw the scales in the linen closet for a few weeks. Take this stress away from yourself. With a new baby, you don't need it. Dance, do yoga, free your mind from thinking about your need to lose weight. Change your goals for a few weeks. The change of mindset can help you achieve a long-term perspective rather than focussing on the short term.

For someone who gave birth just a few short weeks ago, I think you are doing incredibly well. After my babes were born, it was a full year before I could suck up any energy to work out!!

Good luck Mari: relax and think sweet thoughts...

Clare

 

[Bobbi]

Don't use the scale to guage your success. Your weight flucates within a few pounds naturally. You should keep exercising and focus on losing inches as fat is replaced by muscle. Muscle is more dense than fat so it weighs more but it is also more compact and it takes up less space. Weight training is essential to a well-rounded fitness program but new moms need to go easy on themselves. Be sure to eat well and get plenty of sleep and don't worry about exercise unless you feel rested and strong. You are so tough on yourself, Marisol!

Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!

 

[getnfit@38]

I agree with Bobbi~ Marisol, you are too tough on yourself! Lighten up, and be proud of your accomplishments! You're a new mom, that's tough enough, and like everyone has said, put the scale away for a few weeks and just concentrate on working out at a comfortable pace for you. I wouldn't abandon strength work for the reasons already mentioned. Muscle increases your metabolism, even at rest, so building muscle is important, and I know how you feel about losing, I cannot make my scale tip from 200lbs, it will not budge, refuses to give me 199lbs! But I know that if I continue to eat well, workout daily (cardio & weights) that the scale will eventually tip in the right direction. Until then, I have to be satisfied with the knowledge that I am building muscle, increasing my bone strength and density, and doing something good for my body and overall longterm health. It sucks, but hey, gotta keep keepin' on!
Please feel free to email me if you EVER need to talk/vent, whatever. But I'm just where you are in this, and if you just be patient with yourself, "we'll" get there! It's tough when you're really trying hard, but remember, "nothing worthwhile comes easy" so just continue to workout at whatever pace is comfortable for you, and the results will come!
They better~cause I'm waiting on mine too!
Donna