Why is body responding this way?

[amcoppolino]

So here is dilemma. I've worked out for as long as I can remember...and here's how body responds...

Over the past year, I have done a few things:

May-September: No heavy cardio - walking 30 mins to an hour 5-7 times a week. And cutting back what I was eating-- i.e. Lots of fruits, and veggies and lean meats-- maybe a little less than I normally should be eating sometimes. I dropped from 135 to 123 easily.

October-late Feb: I did a lot of cardio again, put more protein into diet and cut out a lot of carbs. I would run on treadmill for 30-40 minutes and used HIIT training to really try to burn extra fat. By January, I had gained back 7lbs and didn't look as slender as during the summer. But had more energy.
diet was strict and consisted on a daily basis of:
Meal 1: Oatmeal, Strawberries
Meal 2: Apple or Banana & a few Almonds
Meal 3: Can of Tuna & Protein Shake
Meal 4: 1c lowfat yogurt
Meal 5: 1 serving size portion of Chicken & 1/2 cup of stir-fry onions/green peppers or some other vegetable

NOW: Ironically, I was injured & sick in early March, so I haven't been able to work out (I've been to the gym maybe 7 times). I have cut back daily intake to the following since I can't work out, and have already lost 4lbs and see more muscle definition in arms and look thinner and more toned.

Daily Meal Plan:
Meal 1: Apple & Active Lifestyle Fiber Bar
Meal 2: Protein Shake
Meal 3: Banana & 5 or 10 almonds
Meal 4: Orange and 1/2 green pepper
Meal 5: 1 serving size of ground round/chicken/fish and vegetables

What is going on with body and why am I losing weight more rapidly when I don't work out? Also, I thought eating lots of fruits was suppose to be not as good for you because they have so much sugar.

And what would you recommend that I do to maximize weight loss AND boost energy?

[Boss Man]

You may have found that you lost muscle and may have lost fat as well as you cut calories and therefore fat storage potential from any excess.

Meal 1: Apple & Active Lifestyle Fiber Bar
(Add in something here like Egg Whites, Chicken, Ham etc etc for more Protein. Also give the Apple 10-15 minutes to digest as it will digest better that way.)

Meal 2: Protein Shake
(Fine, however if this is a low carb one, you might want to consider adding something to it like Crushed Oats, or possibly something else like Crushed Cashews for added Carbs)

Meal 3: Banana & 5 or 10 almonds
(You need more Protein in your meal. Same advice with the Banana as well)

Meal 4: Orange and 1/2 green pepper
(More protein needed here)

Meal 5: 1 serving size of ground round/chicken/fish and vegetables
(Good)

Your calories were looking a bit low, as was the Protein, this should hopefully work better for you now. As long as your Cardio and weights are good quality, you'll be fine. None of this 6 hours on a treadmill and rubbishy one plate on a machine for 20 reps ideology that wastes tiem and effort.

[amcoppolino]

Thanks so much!

The protein that I had been using is ONs Whey protein.

As far as the cardio goes, do you have suggestions for what I should be doing so that I don't bulk up? I normally was doing 30-40 minutes HIIT on treadmill but felt legs bulking, so I decided to start using stair stepper and elliptical.. usually 25 on either of those, and then 15 walking 4.5mph on an incline of 8 on a treadmill.

Also, in terms of weights, I usually do 10lb freeweights, but found more bulk than definition. Should I cut out weights completely until fat-loss is achieved or just use lighter weights and do more repetitions instead?

THANKS again!!

[Boss Man]

Trust me, the strength aspects are priceless. Keep the bulking as you put it, because when you're over 70 and you've got a half decent muscle level and strong bones, from years of that good muscle and bone density promotion, you'll be a happier pensioner .

Don't ever be afraid of putting some muscle on. It's not going to make you look like one of those 170lb Pro bodybuilders, unless you eat 200+ grams of protein and 4,000+ calories a day and many stick thin females run the risk of back pain and Osteoperosis when they're older, when they have spent 20+ years over 50, starting to lose some of the little bone density and strength they had and not doing anything to fight it.

Plus some stick thin females may also be more vulnerable to abuse by men, (that's not meant to shock you), and many don't have the confidence and empowerment that can come from a more honed, athletic style body.

What you have been doing is well worth it, so stick to it and be proud of every millimetre of a new stronger you, because believe me, it's one of the best things your could ever do for your body and if you keep doing it with the correct techniques, you'll be fine and hopefully still have plenty of energy, strength and vitality in your older years, to get more out of life for you and those you care about .

You CAN be proud of what you have been doing recently, so keep working at it, keep working with your genetics and keep trying to remodel yourself into a leaner, keener new you and you keep being proud of every little new line and curve you get, because you will have every right to be proud and trust me, every new millimetre of curvy, lean, strength will enhance your natural beauty and take your beautiful appearance to a level of health and wellbeing you deserve to have and IS your absolute right to have .

I'm really happy you're trying to do more with your life. I'm always proud of people for it and especially you females, because sometimes you Ladies do have things in your lives to deal with, that men don't and often less support than men and it's great to see you doing something positive with your life.

I'm proud of you Andrea and I want you to succeed with your life choices, so GOOD LUCK and don't be afraid to embrace a new more healthier and exciting looking you, because you will thank yourself big time many years in the future and you could become a really good rolemodel to other females too, so it's all win-win.

GOOD LUCK and keep us posted okay.

.