VERY Discouraged! Help!

lauractemple85

Stats:
Female. 26 yrs
5'3"
132 lbs

I've been working out consistently for 8 months now (Good week: 6 days/week; Bad week: 4 days/week). I've lost 12% of my body fat, gained muscle (I even dead lifted 115 pounds!) and stamina. My trainer say I should be thinner considering how strong I am. He's challenged me to a 1250 calorie max diet for 1 month (no bread, no pasta, no alcohol AT ALL). I've been following this plan for 1.5 weeks now and everything is going fine (minus the hunger and cravings) Except for this morning...

I went to get dressed and noticed my favorite jeans were torn in a "bad" area (they are old) So I went to my closet and pulled out a pair I haven't worn in a long time. I can button them but they are SO TIGHT, Love handles EVERYWHERE! It's completely discouraged me from my goal. I feel like I'm never going to lose the weight (2 inches from my waist to go). I just want to put on sweats and forget the whole thing. Anyone else have this problem? Can building muscle in my legs and butt make pants tighter?

the_texreb

I can't really answer from the female perspective, but I can throw some insight in there. I hate to see someone ask for help and not get some sort of reply.

Adding muscle can make clothes feel tighter in different places. When I lost a lot of weight a couple years ago, but added muscle, my shirts were loose, but the sleeves were tight.

And don't give up. I've been fighting to stay on course for over a year now, and I gave up once or twice. All that does is add to the amount of time before you reach your goal. Or even worse, gives you permission to quit on your goal. Stick to it, good things will happen.

SammieGetsFit

I'm nowhere near your level of progress, but there are a lot of different things you can do to "fix" the "problem" and none of them are quitting. :bigsmile:

How long is a "long" time? Women's bodies change as they age, and if it's something you haven't worn since your early 20s or teens, then your body shape -- hips particularly -- may have changed.

Is your body fat percentage in the healthy range? If so, then you might just need bigger jeans -- as much as we hate to admit it. Spot-fixing is supposedly a myth.

Maybe you are eating too few calories. If you're working out that much, the deficit might be hurting not helping you. I'm no expert on eating more to lose, but I know there's an entire school of thought that says it's the best way. Also, switching up what you're eating might help -- I took a look at your diary and noticed you eat a lot of the same things.

Are you drinking enough water? Water retention and bloating is a big problem for women.

Have you thought about switching your diet to something more like vegetarianism or veganism? There's a plethora of research that indicates plant-based diets are great for weight-loss as well as overall health.

Like I said, I'm not nearly as fit as you, nor am I nutritionist, but I do know that many personal trainers are not either. I think the best thing you can do is research and listen to your body. You'll find something that works as long as you keep trying. :flowerforyou:

kgprice11

Hunny you are 5'3" 132 lbs. I don't know what you are discouraged about, I feel that a lot of women would kill for you body (i am not a woman though so who knows). Personally I would just keep doing what you are doing you are putting on muscle which weighs more than fat. What is your BMI right now and do you think your trainer is pushing you a little too much? If so I would talk to him about why he wants you to such things. Good luck and I think you look fine

lauractemple85

How long is a "long" time? Women's bodies change as they age, and if it's something you haven't worn since your early 20s or teens, then your body shape -- hips particularly -- may have changed.

Is your body fat percentage in the healthy range? If so, then you might just need bigger jeans -- as much as we hate to admit it. Spot-fixing is supposedly a myth.

Thanks everyone for their input!

I'm racking my brain trying to figure out the last time I wore these jeans, but I guess it been over a year. I defiantly feel like my body has changed since I hit my mid-twenties. Maybe it because I'm in my prime "baby bearing age". Also (this might be TMI) but I'm also on "the pill". My mom thinking it's because I'm in this faux-pregnancy-state that I retain more water and have more trouble losing around my mid-section.

My body fat % is currently in a healthy range. 8 months ago is was in the "poor" range, but I was also lighter. I've gained weight since I've gained muscle. I agree with eating different things everyday, It's just so hard since I work all day then go to the gym at night. I usually get home around 8-9pm. I try and opt for fat, healthy options for dinner.

Just for clarification, I know I'm in a better situation (with my weight) then most people. I was just always "the tiny, petite girl" in the past and I've totally lost that image...trying to see if I can get that back but maybe it's time to accept that my body has changed. My ultimate goal is to get rid of the fat around my waistline and triceps. My trainer does work me hard, he's an ex Marine. But I appreciate it at the end of the day, he just want to get me to where I want to be.

redscylla

It's hard to deal with the issue of "getting back to" an earlier weight that you liked. Because maybe you can get there, but maybe you can't. Our bodies do change as we age and sometimes we have to accept that a new normal is okay. Somewhere around here, I saw someone had a funny blurb that said, "Getting back to your 'original weight' is going to be hard. After all 7 lbs. 5 ounces is pretty unreasonable." It made me laugh and it's true. Trying to go back to the size I was at 18 is maybe just as unrealistic as going back to my newborn size.

It sounds like you are transforming yourself, though, with gaining good muscle. Maybe you've just shifted some mass and that's affecting how your clothes fit.

leslisa

Oh yeah. There was just a thread on fitness problems. One of the problems was that the poster could not longer wear skinny jeans. So yes, I can definately see muscle causing a few issues.