newbie stuck in a rut

N

NYCchick

0
Hi all:

I'm new here, need some help and encouragement.

I gained a LOT (100 lbs) of weight during my pregnancy 3 years ago. Initially, the weight was melting off, but then it started to creep back on and I am having a heck of a time getting it to budge.

So, the first week of April, I marched my big butt down to the Y and I've been hitting the gym pretty hard every day. On a couple of days I take 3 aerobic classes, as I know that cardio is the key to getting the weight off.

After 6 weeks in the gym, I enlisted a trainer/nutritionist and I am still working out as hard, but I just started using the weights yesterday.

I'm really flabbergasted, as I have not lost one, ONE, ONE pound.

I have considered a water fast, to detox, go the vegetarian route, but I think that would be counter productive.

I turned 40 in December, so I know my metabolism nose-dived, but please, tell me that I'm not dreaming by thinking that I can get back into my "skinny" clothes. I'm 5'7, weigh 170...someone, anyone point me in the right direction.

TIA
 
start by posting your current diet..

no go on the water fast. your body needs nutrients from food.. protien, carbs, fats.. just the right foods.

what are your plans with the weights?
 
Wow, you're fast!

My daily diet:

meal 1: 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with 1/2 cup of lite fruit, 8 almonds
snack: fruit or kashi bar
meal 2: tuna sandwich with light dressing, cup of veggies
snack: fruit or baby carrots
meal 3: grilled chicken breast, big salad
snack: homemade yogurt with stevia

As for the weights: I am doing 3 sets of 10-12 reps. Yesterday I did chest and arms. Tonight I'll do legs (can't do squats due to a bum knee).
 
do you know your total calorie intake? and/or macro breakdown? I myself am not one to give advise on anyone's diet.. but you could try logging everything into

what are you doing for chest and arms? compound movements or isolations?
 
I actually have an account for fitday. However, I need to get more precise with my caloric intake and the breakdown. I'll get down to business and see if I am consuming too many calories, by chance.

I am doing isolations for chest. I'm really new at using weights, but I'm focusing on slow, controlled and steady movements, versus some of the jerking that I see some of the guys doing. I cannot imaging the jerking movements are good for one's muscles.

Thanks for the feedback :)
 
NYCchick said:
I actually have an account for fitday. However, I need to get more precise with my caloric intake and the breakdown. I'll get down to business and see if I am consuming too many calories, by chance.

I am doing isolations for chest. I'm really new at using weights, but I'm focusing on slow, controlled and steady movements, versus some of the jerking that I see some of the guys doing. I cannot imaging the jerking movements are good for one's muscles.

Thanks for the feedback :)
Click to expand...

You're right - good on you for taking time to learn proper form. It will prevent injury and work the muscles in the right way for good results.

As for taking weight off, you might find that a mix of cardiovascular training AND resistance (weight) training will give you the best results. The more angles you can work your body in, the better. This also means switching up your training program so as to give your body new stimuli to adapt to - been working out on the elliptical? try a rower or a treadmill, or have a run outside... (my previous program had me doing bench presses, now I'm doing pushups... with each new stimulus the body will adapt to it and get better at doing it - that inefficiency (as far as I understand it) will help burn more energy during your workouts.

If you're doing 3 classes a day and your new weight training it may be possible you're not taking in enough calories to support the new regimen. Will be interesting to see your results.
 
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