Gaining weight and inches...

LindaLuMarie
LindaLuMarie Posts: 11
in Food and Nutrition
Hi all, I'm 51 years old and currently weigh 118lbs, 5'4". I've never had to diet or exercise ever in my life until now. In march I quit smoking and read that it is common to gain weight after u quit. So I decided to start watching my diet and exercising and be proactive.

My weight in march the day I quit smoking was 112 and I've gained 6lbs and an inch and a half on my thighs. I run 2 miles 2 times a week and do kettlebell cardio workout once a week. I also do a weight training class once a week with squatting with 30lbs. And other weight exercises.

My question: is it my diet? Do you think I gained that much muscle in my thighs that my pants no longer fit! My thighs have cellulite on them and now they are just huge with cellulite, not toned or sculpted, just THICK.

Please help. I am thinking of just quitting exercise altogether.

Thank you

Replies

  • Dewdropps
    Dewdropps Posts: 111
    My advice? Don't worry so much. Whether you weigh 112 or 118, you are still in a very healthy and GOOD weight for your height. In fact, for your height, you could go up to as much as 140 or even a little more and still be in a very healthy range. Don't take it to too much of an extreme that you end up with an obsessive eating disorder. <3


    (Wanted to add... 6lbs is not horrible. My weight fluctuates up to 6 lbs daily, depending on the time of day. Low in the morning, and spiked at night.)
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    Hi all, I'm 51 years old and currently weigh 118lbs, 5'4". I've never had to diet or exercise ever in my life until now. In march I quit smoking and read that it is common to gain weight after u quit. So I decided to start watching my diet and exercising and be proactive.

    My weight in march the day I quit smoking was 112 and I've gained 6lbs and an inch and a half on my thighs. I run 2 miles 2 times a week and do kettlebell cardio workout once a week. I also do a weight training class once a week with squatting with 30lbs. And other weight exercises.

    My question: is it my diet? Do you think I gained that much muscle in my thighs that my pants no longer fit! My thighs have cellulite on them and now they are just huge with cellulite, not toned or sculpted, just THICK.

    Please help. I am thinking of just quitting exercise altogether.

    Thank you

    Don't quit exercise, it's good for you. You just can't rely on it for weight loss. Calorie reduction through a healthy diet is the most important thing.
  • Dewdropps
    Dewdropps Posts: 111
    Ok, after re reading your post, it seems that you just recently started all these lifting and exercises when you quit smoking, right? No, it's not your diet. In fact, you don't seem to eat anything with any substance and I'd advise to eat more, especially if you are working out. Under 1200 cals for a 5'4 woman is not so great. I don't see any exercise logged, so I assume you are only netting about 600 cals on the days you are working out... very dangerous.

    Anyway, if you just began this regimen, your muscles are retaining water to repair themselves, and it will happen whether you want it to or not, no matter how much you restrict your calories.
  • LindaLuMarie
    LindaLuMarie Posts: 11
    Ok, after re reading your post, it seems that you just recently started all these lifting and exercises when you quit smoking, right? No, it's not your diet. In fact, you don't seem to eat anything with any substance and I'd advise to eat more, especially if you are working out. Under 1200 cals for a 5'4 woman is not so great. I don't see any exercise logged, so I assume you are only netting about 600 cals on the days you are working out... very dangerous.

    Anyway, if you just began this regimen, your muscles are retaining water to repair themselves, and it will happen whether you want it to or not, no matter how much you restrict your calories.

    I'm pretty sure my exercises are logged in....I add them for that day....anyway I bought some green tea fat burner tablets and I'm going to try those. I will slow down on thigh exercises. My thighs rub together when I walk and they have never done that in my life! It's quite upsetting for a thin person their entire lives to all of a sudden start gaining inches. I am also going to the dr. Tomorrow and will ask about thyroid problems, maybe that's what is wrong.

    My question to you is if it is water retention in the muscle, will it go away and if so how long?
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Ok, after re reading your post, it seems that you just recently started all these lifting and exercises when you quit smoking, right? No, it's not your diet. In fact, you don't seem to eat anything with any substance and I'd advise to eat more, especially if you are working out. Under 1200 cals for a 5'4 woman is not so great. I don't see any exercise logged, so I assume you are only netting about 600 cals on the days you are working out... very dangerous.

    Anyway, if you just began this regimen, your muscles are retaining water to repair themselves, and it will happen whether you want it to or not, no matter how much you restrict your calories.

    I'm pretty sure my exercises are logged in....I add them for that day....anyway I bought some green tea fat burner tablets and I'm going to try those. I will slow down on thigh exercises. My thighs rub together when I walk and they have never done that in my life! It's quite upsetting for a thin person their entire lives to all of a sudden start gaining inches. I am also going to the dr. Tomorrow and will ask about thyroid problems, maybe that's what is wrong.

    My question to you is if it is water retention in the muscle, will it go away and if so how long?

    Those green tea tablets don't work. They can be harmful... I would return them if you can.

    For water retention, muscles hold onto water for repair. THey will release it within a few days... keep your sodium down and your water intake up.

    Try lowering the amount of processed foods you are eating and add in more lean meats and fresh produce. Also, ensure you eat your calorie goal each day... not under it. Make sure your weekly weight loss goal is not set too high also.
  • LindaLuMarie
    LindaLuMarie Posts: 11
    Ok, after re reading your post, it seems that you just recently started all these lifting and exercises when you quit smoking, right? No, it's not your diet. In fact, you don't seem to eat anything with any substance and I'd advise to eat more, especially if you are working out. Under 1200 cals for a 5'4 woman is not so great. I don't see any exercise logged, so I assume you are only netting about 600 cals on the days you are working out... very dangerous.

    Anyway, if you just began this regimen, your muscles are retaining water to repair themselves, and it will happen whether you want it to or not, no matter how much you restrict your calories.

    I've been doing all that u suggested for a month now. It seems that my muscles ate just holding on to this water and not letting go...

    I'm pretty sure my exercises are logged in....I add them for that day....anyway I bought some green tea fat burner tablets and I'm going to try those. I will slow down on thigh exercises. My thighs rub together when I walk and they have never done that in my life! It's quite upsetting for a thin person their entire lives to all of a sudden start gaining inches. I am also going to the dr. Tomorrow and will ask about thyroid problems, maybe that's what is wrong.

    My question to you is if it is water retention in the muscle, will it go away and if so how long?

    Those green tea tablets don't work. They can be harmful... I would return them if you can.

    For water retention, muscles hold onto water for repair. THey will release it within a few days... keep your sodium down and your water intake up.

    Try lowering the amount of processed foods you are eating and add in more lean meats and fresh produce. Also, ensure you eat your calorie goal each day... not under it. Make sure your weekly weight loss goal is not set too high also.
  • LindaLuMarie
    LindaLuMarie Posts: 11
    Thank you. I've been watching sodium, drinking more water and trying to clean up my diet all in the past 4 weeks. But it seems that my thigh muscles are persistent in holding the water....

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