Confused by my results? Trainers please weigh in?
I am starting week four of a 12 weekdiet/fitness bootcamp. I am a 56yo female and joined the camp to attempt to move from an average, lackluster fitness routine (that was pretty much all cardio) to something that really tones, improves flexibility, and would slim down my post-M thick belly. I started the camp at 5.5″, 134 pounds. I have pushed myself hard. I am using dumbells and resistance bands and lifting/pushing stronger weight that I ever have – increasing every week. Sometimes the weight is so heavy I can’t do all the reps and I am shaking, so I know I am pushing. My cardio is very stepped-up interval type training and a combination of things. I am doing a ton of stretching before, during, and after, and can see my flexibility improving. On one hand, I am super proud of my accomplishments in three weeks. I could not do one push up in the beginning, and can do eight in a row now. I have given birth to a baby bicep and lost four inches off my waist, an inch off my hips and bust. All this has been done while “clean eating”, holding my caloric intake but eliminating gluten and sugar. Sooooo, considering this super hard work, I am very puzzled. I have lost one pound of body weight. Seriously? How does someone work so hard and not see a bigger overall impact? Yep, I hear that I am 56 and not seriously overweight to begin with – but I am puzzled. As I am continuing to increase my weights every time I lift ( 3x week going to 4x week starting next week) I need some dang encouragement!! Thanks for your help.
Hello S Brown,
Congratulations to you! Have you proofread your own question and explanation?
“I need some dang encouragement!!
see my flexibility improving
I could not do one push up can do eight in a row now
given birth to a baby bicep
lost four inches off my waist, an inch off my hips and bust”
It is common to see these improvements without the number on the scale moving to where we would like to see it. You are building muscle (heavy) while losing fat (lighter), just as Harris Sophocleous mentions the reason for taking fat measurements.
Are you happy with the strength and flexibility gains along with the inches lost? I am happy for you, that is for sure.
Here is more encouragement: keep up the super attitude during your workouts, three strength workouts a week is enough, and please pay close attention to this one…it may be time to hide that “dang scale”. Concentrate on the improvements you are making. If that is not enough for you, look for someone to measure your bodyfat percentage to track that instead of pounds. One pound down is still good, too.
Once more, congratulations on improving your health. I have no worries.
Take care,
Natalie
NAPS 2 B Fit