Getting frustrated

rockerbabyy
rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
edited October 7 in Health and Weight Loss
So i decided to start weight lifting this month, so on the 1st i weighed and measured myself and started a 12 week program i found on bodybuilding.com... i decided not to weigh again until feb because i didnt want temporary "gains"/water weight to discourage me.
but im having a very hard time staying motivated... my clothes arent fitting any better, theyre actually getting tighter. i havent taken new measurements yet because it hasnt been 2 weeks, but i kinda feel like giving up and just not exercising.
before christmas i was able to get into a pair of 18 jeans, no muffin top, just comfy. today, the same jeans are tight and uncomfortable. my 20s are comfy, but only one of them... i have a couple other 20s that give me a huge muffin top (worse than my 18s). my bras are getting tighter, and im just feeling so discouraged.
is it because my fats and carbs are over sometimes? am i eating too much/not enough? i havent gotten on the scale yet, i kind of want to. im dreading it.. i dont know if i can go a month without knowing. if im gaining and its not just water weight and my muscles repairing themselves i want to correct it asap.
*pulls her hair out*

Replies

  • Jacole18
    Jacole18 Posts: 716 Member
    it sounds like you are gaining muscle....initially your clothes will be tighter and stuff, but it's not fat. relax and keep up with it. the weight will continue to come off. muscle burns fat
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    i thought that might be it, but i dunno.. maybe the routine im doing isnt right for me :/
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    bump
  • hopingforhealthy
    hopingforhealthy Posts: 26
    It may be the quality of carbs and fat you're getting that are impeding your weightloss.

    Fat's okay when it comes from things like nuts and olive oil. The same goes with carbs - slow acting carbs from whole grains and some fruit are better for weight loss than say white bread or french fries.

    On calorie counters it's easy to say "Oh, well I'm within my caloric goal for the day", but you need to take into account where those calories are coming from.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    It may be the quality of carbs and fat you're getting that are impeding your weightloss.

    Fat's okay when it comes from things like nuts and olive oil. The same goes with carbs - slow acting carbs from whole grains and some fruit are better for weight loss than say white bread or french fries.

    On calorie counters it's easy to say "Oh, well I'm within my caloric goal for the day", but you need to take into account where those calories are coming from.
    the majority of my carbs come from whole grains - not so much fruit because we get very little in our produce box and id almost rather the kids have it. ive been trying to use frozen fruit for me, and the fresh for the kids.
    tuesday and sunday of this past week arent really my best days - but they dont happen often.
    also the majority of my meals are home made (like, maybe eating out a couple times a month)... i rarely cook with butter, its olive oil if anything. i eat avocado when i can, and nuts a bit more often.. i just dont like eating the same thing everyday.
  • Beeps2011
    Beeps2011 Posts: 12,195 Member
    No frustration necessary!! You are RIGHT on track! (heavy) weight-lifting is the right strategy.

    Read this:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/431684-pics-of-my-ginormous-man-muscles

    And then come join, here on mfp, the "NROL4W" group and the "women strength training" group for information and support.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    No frustration necessary!! You are RIGHT on track! (heavy) weight-lifting is the right strategy.

    Read this:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/431684-pics-of-my-ginormous-man-muscles

    And then come join, here on mfp, the "NROL4W" group and the "women strength training" group for information and support.
    but is it normal for clothes to actually get tighter in the first two weeks? i think thats really whats frustrating me most.
    ive read that thread, and cant wait to have great results from lifting. i guess im just impatient >.>
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    It's two weeks......:sad:
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    it sounds like you are gaining muscle....initially your clothes will be tighter and stuff, but it's not fat. relax and keep up with it. the weight will continue to come off. muscle burns fat
    ^^^^^^^^
    THIS!

    And track your body fat as well:
    Body Fat: http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

    Weight is but one factor to consider.
  • jcr85
    jcr85 Posts: 229
    it sounds like you are gaining muscle....initially your clothes will be tighter and stuff, but it's not fat. relax and keep up with it. the weight will continue to come off. muscle burns fat
    ^^^^^^^^
    THIS!

    And track your body fat as well:
    Body Fat: http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

    Weight is but one factor to consider.


    Haha. If you gained that much muscle in eleven days please tell me where you got the steroids at...
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    It's two weeks......:sad:
    yea... it is. and when i go from a comfortable 18 to a tight 20 it kind of has me worried. so sue me
  • geauxsaints1
    geauxsaints1 Posts: 20
    Did you have a body fat analysis done in the beginning? I agree with a lot of people on this post. You may be gaining muscle and it is heavier than fat. I have met a lot of people that have gotten bigger by strength training. Some opt for a lot of reps and little weight for toning and not few reps and adding weight.
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    Did you have a body fat analysis done in the beginning? I agree with a lot of people on this post. You may be gaining muscle and it is heavier than fat. I have met a lot of people that have gotten bigger by strength training. Some opt for a lot of reps and little weight for toning and not few reps and adding weight.
    i didnt have one done at the beginning...i had just joined a gym and couldnt get with a trainer until yesterday. had it measured then (almost cried) but i dont really know what my starting point was :(
  • RainbootsToBikinis
    RainbootsToBikinis Posts: 465 Member
    take your measurements again when you hit the two week mark, and then give it another two weeks. Give any new program at least a month before deciding it's not working for you.

    Edit : My first week of lifting weights I gained 6 pounds, as you start to work your muscle your going to retain more water than normal. Up your water intake and watch your sodium, I'd bet that the weight your feeling is water weight.
  • mandimuscles
    mandimuscles Posts: 107 Member
    It always takes time. Yes, you can lose and still have your clothing fit differently & tighter. It's about the food you eat, how much different it is from what you're used to, how much muscle is building, etc. It truly is temporary as long as you don't quit. I have been there. If you stick with it, you will see results. I'm sure you don't want to when you feel discouraged, but in your mind you know that you're doing something good & healthy for yourself with working out. Let THAT be your motivator, not your scale or your clothing, they will both follow suit soon. :)
  • dancassidy
    dancassidy Posts: 1
    Weights are great when used correctly. Start as you usually do with your weight work out first, this will help burn up all the gluton or sugar energy out of the muscles. Immediate after your weight work out you need to follow up with 1-2 mile walk to start burning off the calories. Will also help you with your cartio. Even though muscle weights more than fat, which it sounds like you are in transition, muscle burns more calories faster by raising your metabolism. It does take will power to continue. You just have to know that you are not alone. We are all out here fighting the same battle of the bulge. You set yourself a goal of one month. Stick with your goal and reasses at that time. I sometimes bloat when there is to much salt in my food. Make it a great day!:smile:
  • lisawest
    lisawest Posts: 798 Member
    What is most likely happening is NOT the "gaining" of muscle. (That is nearly impossible to do while eating at calorie deficit.) You are reactivating muscles that you haven't used in awhile. When you do this the muscles starting storing extra glycogen (sugars) for energy while you work out. The problem with storing glycogen is that the cells store almost 4Xs the weight of the glycogen in water (it helps the cells use the glycogen). After your body starts to get use to the new level of activity it will stop storing as much water. Whatever happens, DON'T give up! It takes several weeks (4 or more) for the results to really start showing. You're doing great!
  • rockerbabyy
    rockerbabyy Posts: 2,258 Member
    thanks guys :) ill just keep doing what im doing. im trying to keep my carbs and fats down, but i struggle with it a lot.. i even log all my meals a day in advance so that nothing sneaks up on me, but i cant seem to find that balance.
    i really love lifting, and would probably do it even if i didnt lose weight because its just fun for me.. of course the smaller waistline would be a plus :D
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