I work out 3 times a week - why did I gain weight and inches?

Question

I have lost 85 pounds in the last year and a halfand have kept it off for six months. I have been working out with a personal trainer three times a week for this same six months. I do cardio and strength training. Today we did a six month fitness assessment and while my weight is the same, I gained inches everywhere we measured, including FOUR inches in my waist and shoulders. I had the same person measuring, and, if anything, you would think they would want me to have gone down since I need to pay for three more months next week. My clothes are fitting tighter. I have no idea what to do. I have spoken with my nutritionist and doctor and neither one knows what to do. I am 49 years old and weigh 180 pounds.

Any advice would be appreciated.

I eat oatmeal for breakfast, lunch is nonfat yogurt with a protein pack, and dinner is six ounces of protein and a package of vegetables. I haven't eaten a single bite of junk food in 18 months. I have carbs in the yogurt and oatmeal, but that is it. This is so puzzling.

Answer 1

It makes sense that you added inches in your shoulders if you are doing strength training. Are you working with the strength training more than the cardio? If so, then you are probably adding muscle, which could trade weight. In other words, you've burned fat with cardio but also built muscle with strength training. That could add inches. I'd take a break from strength training and work only the cardio for a while and see if that drops some weight and inches. How's your diet? A lot of people leave the gym and stop at Burger King on the way home, then can't uderstand the results.

Where are you clothes fitting tighter? The chest? It could be muscle. The waistline? You may have something else going on. When was your last physical exam from a doctor, not a trainer?

Answer 2

Brand new studies exhibit that circut weight coaching is absolutely better for weight loss for cardio. The idea at the back of it's that your body burns extra fats seeking to rebuild muscle mass than it does with an accelerated heart price. And the fats burning will simply final as much as 18 hours after your weight coaching. It must be a rigourous circut of training nevertheless it handiest wants to last about quarter-hour. Just right success

Answer 3

The waist size is puzzling, but muscle weighs more than fat so as you add muscle you gain weight. I went on a mountain biking binge a long time ago and added 20 pounds and couldn't figure it out. I added a lot of muscle in my legs but I didn't notice it myself, someone else made a comment.

Answer 4

That's very puzzling. Honestly, I don't have a real answer for you. Four inches is a lot in the waist. Maybe you're not doing the right kind of exercises in the abs? Like, working the obliques? Good luck.

Answer 5

cutting-edge examine coach that circut weight preparation is unquestionably greater effectual for weightloss for cardio. the belief at the back of this is that your physique burns greater fat attempting to rebuild muscle groups than it does with an speeded up coronary heart fee. And the fat burning will unquestionably final as long as 18 hours after your weight preparation. It ought to be a rigourous circut of coaching even nonetheless it in basic terms needs to final approximately quarter-hour. good success

Answer 6

If your packing on muscle then thats your difference. If you haven't reached your target weight yet, you might be building muscle under the fat. Weight training/strength is not good until you have reached around 20-15% total body fat.

Answer 7

You eating more? That's normal. More of the same? There is the problem. Look at you chow. Lots of carbs(white bread, white potatoes, sweet stuff...and processed foods.) not good. More meats, beans, veges, fruit. That'll help while you work out, as it will give you the energy and keep the fat down and burn it away.

Answer 8

muscle! that same thing happened to me but your body probably looks better. I gained then i lost in all the rigth spots give it a few more months. dont lift heavy weights. talk 2 your personal trainer and tell them you dont want 2 get bigger even if it is muscle.

Answer 9

You are building muscle and muscle adds weight. It may not be noticeable at first but as you burn off fat you will notice more muscle and you will begin to lose weight. Keep at it!

Answer 10

muscle weighs more than fat, since you've been strenght training for so long, you have accumilated more muscle. Your shoulders and waist are now bigger due to increased muscle mass.