Why am I gaining weight? I should be losing weight but my PBF is steady despite working HARD.
I am 54 year old female who was a smoker until August of this year (2018), was “skinny” unhealthy, flabby, and breathless. Since I quit smoking in August I am in the gym 4 – 5 days per week, doing weights/resistance training, cardio, under the guidance of a trainer (one day per week). I also started riding my bike again, 2 – 3 days per week, avg. 12 to 15 mph, 15 to 20 miles. I had added a lot of muscle and feel terrific, but I can’t lose the excess fat around my belly, butt, flabby arms, etc. My eating is improved with fewer carbs, more quality protein, supplements, etc. How do I slim down the fat?
In July my weight was 152.4 lbs. Today it is 166.3. My SMM was 56.9. Today it is 63.3. My PBF was 30.6. Today it is 30.4. My Ex. Cellular Water was 0.396. Today it is 0.389.
I would also mention this – earlier this year, I lost 18 pounds and have sustained it from February until now. I used Weight Watchers, religiously counting what I eat. You don’t have to use Weight Watchers. That’s not my point. Here’s my point.
I’m nearly your age – 51. With the amount of weight that I’ve lost, I do look visibly different. However, although I’ve lost mostly fat, the skin hasn’t come down. Our skin isn’t as elastic in our 50’s. So even as you gain lean muscle and lose weight, there might still be some wrinkles, some stretch marks, and some loose skin. Most days I’m OK with the loose skin, because although it’s not super-attractive it’s a sign of my hard work and success.
So my point is, sometimes we have to look at an entire spectrum of results, not just the scale or how our pants fit. The fact that you’ve quit smoking and are getting stronger and developing endurance is TREMENDOUS.