Working out with weights..

melissawynn · Post by **melissawynn** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:20 am

I am 32 and a mother of 2 (a 8 and 4 yr old). I started a life change in January of 2008. I weighed 227 and have been eating right and working out and I am down to 173. I lost about 35 lbs. in the first 6 months and 20 in the last 8 months. I am telling you it has been tough and I want to lose about 20 more, that is goal...really to get the BMI in the good area, even if I am in the higher end. Anyway, I slowly but surely lose a lb. every 2 weeks or so. I always read that you need to incorporate weights into your work out so I do and the next week when it is weigh in day, I am up in pounds.....MIND GAME. Then I don't want to do weights. The thing is, is that I am shaped like as apple and they say to lose the middle you have to work the large muscles to lose that part of you. If is a vicious circle and I don't want to look like HELGA off of American Gladiators, I want to be lean and feel good about myself. Anyone have any ideas? Will I gain some and then lose it again? I so badly want to look good for the summer.

TheAmazingOti · Post by **TheAmazingOti** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:44 pm

First of call, congratulations on your amazing progress. So few people in the world today have your determination and drive.

20 more pounds by summer sounds like a reasonable goal, too, by the way.

As for the weights, I wouldn't worry about them making you gain weight. weight fluctuates anywhere from 153 to 157 and all I do is weights right now. I also haven't seen any size gains from using weights all this time, so, chances are you're going to be just fine.

Now, there are a ton of factors here. Did you eat or drink a lot during the day? Did you have to go to the bathroom? Were you wearing heavier clothes or have something in your pocket? All of these can throw your weight way off. Like me, for example. shoes weigh over a pound. So does coat. Needless to say, I stripped off the pounds quickly.

I wouldn't worry too much about your weight, especially gaining one or two random pounds every once in a while. Just keep kicking butt like you're doing and you should see the results.

And about the midsection thing, you just need to lose body fat like you're doing. You can't specifically reduce your midsection or any other part of your body. You just gotta keep doing what you're doing and hope it goes away in a reasonable amount of time.

Good luck!

Joesportstalk · Post by **Joesportstalk** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:36 pm

The timing of when you eat, and the portion size is as important as what you are eating to an extent.

Lift weights as adding muscle will help burn more fat which is what you want.
Add your cardio in at different times if possible.

Make sure your intensity levels are good and that you are not working at working out. but are getting the most of your training time. ( I hope that makes sense)

remember consistency is the key and longevity is needed. keep up the good work and adjust your intensity levels as well as your food timing and portion size.

drewfitness · Post by **drewfitness** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 9:13 am

Hi Melissa!

I have found that many of personal training clients have encountered this problem. It can really mess with your mind, especially if you are focussed on weight loss. The good news is that the weight gain during the first couple of weeks of a new weight training program is related to swelling of the muscles. Your muscles will hold on to the water you take in to help repair the muscle tissue. This effect is temporary! It should pass by the 3rd or 4th week.

Remember, for every 1lb of muscle you gain, your body will shed 3 lbs of fat! A lb of muscle requires 3500 calories to function, so more muscle = higher metabolism = leaner body.

I have never had a female client get larger from lifting weights. Quite the opposite! They always get smaller, leaner, and more toned. Keep weight training in your life, be patient, and know that good things are just around the corner!

Drew Edmonds
Personal Trainer

Train Me 24/7
www.trainme247.com
Savannah, GA

TheAmazingOti · Post by **TheAmazingOti** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:52 am

Um... I'm pretty sure that's wrong. I would need well over 400,000 calories a day to maintain muscles.

I think the 3,500 you're referring to is the amount of calories in one pound of fat.

And losing three pounds of fat by gaining one pound of muscle isn't really right either, I don't think. A lot of people gain fat as they gain muscle. It's not, like, a golden rule, or anything.

Joesportstalk · Post by **Joesportstalk** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:40 pm

TheAmazingOti wrote:Um... I'm pretty sure that's wrong. I would need well over 400,000 calories a day to maintain muscles.

I think the 3,500 you're referring to is the amount of calories in one pound of fat.

And losing three pounds of fat by gaining one pound of muscle isn't really right either, I don't think. A lot of people gain fat as they gain muscle. It's not, like, a golden rule, or anything.

Yep agreed, that is a load of doo doo.

TheAmazingOti · Post by **TheAmazingOti** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:25 pm

And this is why I personally never trust ANY physical trainers.

Joesportstalk · Post by **Joesportstalk** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:10 am

TheAmazingOti wrote:And this is why I personally never trust ANY physical trainers.

Well there are some good ones out there too>

Others just do not care and give the good ones a bad name. Just like in any industry I guess.

TheAmazingOti · Post by **TheAmazingOti** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:05 pm

Yeah, I suppose.

I've just never met a single one who knows what they're talking about.

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:24 pm

not even me?

TheAmazingOti · Post by **TheAmazingOti** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:33 pm

Oh, I didn't know you were one. You're the first, then.

Typically (from the forums I've been on), trainers use their job as an argument. "You think I'm wrong, little man? I've been a personal trainer for 8 years! Blah blah blah..."

Doesn't mean you know a damn thing about fitness. It means you've managed to not get fired for a long time.

Working out with weights..

Working out with weights..

Bloating After Exercise!