Hi, new here. 40 years old, 170, small frame gained all this weight in the last 2 years (meaning 40 lbs) working out almost everyday, 1 hour classes with weights and body building sort of....eat salads etc. working really hard. sore everyday, but I keep going..it's been 3 weeks and not a pound to be shed! What is going on? I'm in tears. Help me.

Need a little more detail. Post your diet and workout routine in detail as well as your daily caloric amount and height.

Dry those tears my friend, you have probably taken the biggest step in solving your current problem. Here you will find help from knowledgable people just like you, you will get advice and suggestions to put you on the right track, you will get motivation from others who have shared those same aches, pains and tears and you will make friends who will support you every step of the way.

But, that said, Leigh (as always) is right. Much more info needed. If it were only so easy to just eat salads and do a 1 hour workout everyday..... But thats actually a recipe for disaster on so many levels.

Let us in on whats realy going on and I am sure the group will do everything possible to make your dreams a reality. It's working for me, why not you too?

sirant

I wont stop what I'm doing, as i know it's good for me. I'm 5'4, I sit ALL DAY! I have ALWAYS been small, matter of fact this would be the first time I've struggled with being heavy. ( although my wiehgt is on my mind always.) I work out every day after work, and I work out a HARD work out then on sat I do the weight room routine. I eat salads at lunch, I do not NOT eat, I do eat a lot of vegetables....Maybe it's menopause..maybe it's Maybeline! wink...(yes, I still have a sense of humor. do I feel it in my clothes a bit? yes, but only a tiny tiny bit....just discouraged. Is that enought info?


thank you again for making me not feel so alone....I even have a friend to work out with me, but she says the same thing. How can I eat less work out almost everyday and still nothing...although it's only been 3 weeks and it took, me about a year or two to gain all this...I don't want instant results but SOmETHING would be encouraging. Help

Actually not even close to enough info to guesstimate really. Too many variables. I doubt anyone would tell you to stop what you are doing, because in the most "general" sense it seems ok. But working out means different things to different people, and losing weight comes with going into calorie deficit. Eating makes a huge difference no matter how you exercise. I am finding out the long, grueling hard way myself just how much of a difference that makes. There is just so much more math and science involved than I would ever have imagined. And for people like me, it is going to be an uphill battle my whole life. Luckily I am starting to enjoy the fight!

Probably a good starting place for you would be some of the great "stickies" at the top of the forums and links that lead to excellent resources explaining the ins and outs far better than I could, especially as I am still learning them myself.

Another great way to learn some good ideas is to read some of the diaries here. A lot of us have asked the same questions you have and found the right answers by trials and error or from advice from others. You can't go wrong. it's free, helpful and might just give you the boost you need to start seeing those results.

I am sure you will find something that works for you!

sirant

You don't gain weight eating next to nothing. It just doesn't work like that unless there is something going on medically. The only way to create fat storage is to eat more energy than you expend in a day. Thermodynamics at its finest.

I'm having a lot of the same problems you're having. I'm 45, 5'4" and have weighed between 110-115 throughout my 30's and early 40's. I quit smoking two years ago and gained 30 pounds! My weight is now 142. I joined a gym six weeks ago and also joined My Food Diary which allows me to track everything I eat. In six weeks I have lost next to nothing (2 pounds) and I've only lost minimal inches - mostly in the chest (which I would have been happy to keep there!)

I eat a very balanced, healthy diet. I generally eat plain oatmeal every morning with a piece of whole grain toast and some type of fresh fruit; a salad with a very low calorie dressing and some form of protein for lunch such as tuna; and my dinner generally consists of a small portion of meat and lots of veggies. I drink lots of water and eat almost zero sugar or refined flour. My snack usually consists of almonds or other nuts. I know for a while I was eating too few calories which probably put my body into starvation mode so now I make a real effort to eat enough calories.

I go to the gym six days a week without fail. I usually spend about an hour and half at the gym when strength training and that includes my 10 minute cardio warm-up. An example of my workout schedule is as follows:

Monday - Abs and lower body
Tuesday - An hour of cardio (stationary bike)
Wednesday - Abs and upper body
Thursday - An hour of cardio (treadmill)
Friday - Abs and lower body
Saturday - An hour of cario (elliptical)

It's depressing because I've been working so hard. I thought I would see some kind of results by now. I would appreciate any insight anyone might have on why I'm not shedding this extra weight.

On the plus side, I do feel better than I have in years!

I will be very curious to see the replies here. I am in the same age range (44) and am also experiencing weight gain for the first time, and not real encouraged by my lack of success on the scale. I agree breasts are smaller, not this gut! I'm determined to keep exercising because I DO feel stronger, but my metabolism doesn't seem to be following the rules. How can all my sweating for three + weeks amount to nothing on the scale?

Based on what i'm reading, you both may still be undereating, but AGAIN, there is no way to tell unless you provide a SPECIFIC list.

Unfortunately it's not as easy as saying I eat a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Count up your calories or write EVERYTHING down you put in your salad and measure your tablespoons of dressing and meat. Make sure you KNOW how many calories you are consuming, don't guess.

Maybe try keeping a food journal. Be honest, and write down every little thing that goes in your mouth. At the end of a week or two, you can go back over it and see what little tweeks you can make.

I keep one, and i find it really helps me keep track of the things i put in my mouth. I write down everything from a stick of gum or cup of coffee to my actual meals, including all condiments, sides and beverages.

Just a suggestion.

Whatever you do, dont let the frustration make you throw in the towel.

I can definitely understand the frustration of trying to get into shape. But its all scientific isnt it? I mean you burn off more calories than you consume and so your body starts burning off your stores of fat and you lose weight. Or am I completely wrong and naive???