Not losing weight :(

[zarafa]

Not sure this should go here, since I havent even had my surgery yet. After my last appointment, Karen [obesity clinic specialist at cx] was asking about exercise. At the time, I was attending one kickboxing session a week. She said I should aim either to walk half an hour each day, or increase my exercise sessions to at least 3 a week. It;s been 3 weeks since I've upped them to 4 sessions a week [this week, I'll do 5]. Problem is, I'm not losing any weight. I feel better, clothes are a bit more loose, but the scales show a GAIN.

My instructor says that it's probably muscle, but i thought fat gets burned off before someone starts to build muscle? can someone help?

and what happens if I get put on the pre-op diet and I don't lose weight because of muscle? should I stop or just pick a less muscle intensive exercise? i've been doing this class for over 3 months - it's the only exercise that's fun. even when i'm pain i go to class.
input - please?

xxxxx
z.

 

[Grace]

Sorry pet because i'm no expert so i can't advize, only suggest. What about carrying on with your classes but rather than increasing them, try walking as well?
Grace xxx

 

[cah-ching]

fat and muscle are two different things. they don't work in coordination like that. It IS possible to gain muscle while still having fat. just like it is possible to lose muscle mass while burning fat (think Cambridge diet et al) which is dangerous.

If you're building muscle, you'll GAIN weight because muscle weighs more than fat. However because muscle is an active and hungry tissue, your body will eventually burn calories per pound if you have more muscle mass. So you may gain then start to lose.

Also if you weigh more, the bigger your muscles because they have to compensate for the weight you have to carry around, so you may well be building muscle because your body has to do more compensating.

Don't go to the gym if you're in pain - you're aggravating injuries and will regret it in the future.

Weight bearing exercises are very good for you! They make you lose inches not necessarily pounds off the scales. The pre-op diet is pretty evil so I think you'll be ok. Keep going to your exercise classes (so long as you aren't injuried) because it'll make operating on you easier and keep your heart strong should any complications occurr on the operating table.


Anyway no two bodies are the same and no one rule fits all. So it's not an exact science. Don't beat yourself up eh?

 

[bobo]

I think when you start your pre-op it will kick start you loosing, apparently brisk walking is the best thing to do to burn fat , if your eating lots of carbs your body will use these first for energy rather than using you fat stores maybe try and have just protein, fruit and veg and the days you train ? I wouldn't give it up its fantastic your doing so well xxxx

 

[Bev]

Hi Zarafa,

Good advice given already... I've little more to offer only that I want to wish you well and hope you won't have too much pain ... keep in touch and hoping it all improves for you... our journeys are so frustrating at times... I know the feeling and it's not easy.

Love and hugs always xxx

 

[blueeyes]

I'm not an expert in exercise by any means, so can't really advise. But I was also advised to walk an extra 30 mins a day and it did make a difference on my pre-op diet. I'm confident that it helped with the weightloss.
Maybe speak to Karen again about your experience so far?
Good luck, and well done on all the exercise nevertheless!

 

[zarafa]

Thank you all for the advice. I may have watch my diet more carefully, I haven't really cut back on food, though I do notice I drink more water and don't feel as hungry. However, I always think that..until I keep a food diary

What I meant by pain was normal muscle aches after exercising. My instructor is very careful about all her students as it is an exercise that you get a lot of injuries from. The muscle recovery time is getting less each week. I remember after the first week, I couldn't walk properly for a couple of days. Now I do get aches, but they don't tend to last very long.

I'm babbling. I may ask the instructor to cut down on the weight training and maybe just focus on cardio. I don't really want to be bulked out.

Bring on the pre-op diet!

xxxxx
z.

 

[cah-ching]

Thank you all for the advice. I may have watch my diet more carefully, I haven't really cut back on food, though I do notice I drink more water and don't feel as hungry. However, I always think that..until I keep a food diary

What I meant by pain was normal muscle aches after exercising. My instructor is very careful about all her students as it is an exercise that you get a lot of injuries from. The muscle recovery time is getting less each week. I remember after the first week, I couldn't walk properly for a couple of days. Now I do get aches, but they don't tend to last very long.

I'm babbling. I may ask the instructor to cut down on the weight training and maybe just focus on cardio. I don't really want to be bulked out.

Bring on the pre-op diet!

xxxxx
z.

Two things:

1. I find working out on top of the ache helps diminish the ache quicker .... strange I know!

2. Common misconception re: "bulking out" ... unless you are male or have high levels of testosterone in your body it is physiologically impossible for a woman to 'bulk out' unless she is a doing the weight training professionally/ seriously or taking steroids.
You will recover from your op quicker - I wish I was exercising effectively before my op!
weight training is excellent for your bones AND does raise your heart rate so you are getting the benefit of aerobic and anerobic exercise.
I say keep on with your weight training!! No panic.