Here's the situation:

I've been on a low sugar diet for about 1 month now. I have lost 12 lbs. I feel great and have more energy. I'm still not at the energy level I'd like to be, but this is good in the meantime. I am also doing cardio and my balance ball. Cardio one day - the BB the next.

Here's the thing tho: My clothes are no looser. They are still tight in the thighs and waist. Armadillo - I know you say not to look at the scale but to judge by the way your clothes fit. The scale (doctor's scale at our clinic) says I am losing and I feel lighter, but the clothes are telling me otherwise. I am perplexed.

I say give it some time.I am the opposite.My scale says I have lost no weight,but my clothes were fitting a bit better.My husband said I was gaining muscle.Just remember you are making yourself healthier and give your body time.You can look forward to getting some new clothes in the near future.GOD-bless

But it's all so kattywampus Lady E. Yes, you're gaining muscle so the scale isn't showing weight loss for you, but you are getting leaner. But me????? I should be gaining some muscle AND getting leaner and showing very little weight loss. Instead I am showing the weight loss and nothing else. Oh, I don't know. I must be missing something here. But you are right, I am living healthier and feeling better than I have in ages! That's what counts. Maybe one day I'll wake up, put my jeans on one leg at a time and when I pull them up, they won't stay!!

Research has shown that at this time in our lives there is redistribution of weight regarding our bodies. More weight seems to go to waist and thighs as the overies stop producing, which would fit with what you are saying. 12 lbs weight loss is a really good achievement. I say just keep going, progress will just take a little longer to show at this age.

Cheers,

XIII

Yes, I will just keep on keeping on. I feel too good to stop. It's just that I've never had this problem before. If I needed to lose, I'd lose and right away I could feel it in my clothes. You're right about the redistribution of weight. If I hadn't freaked out about this, I probably would have come to that conclusion myself.

In your case, losing weight is great, if the scale is moving in the right direction, that's good. However, it is a bit unusual to have lost 12 pounds, and not to have gone down at all in your waist. Are your breasts smaller? What about your rear end? The pounds had to come off in SOME measurable area.

In any case, I'm wondering what your diet looks like? If you are not eating enough protein, you are not building up your muscles. Also, weight alone may not tell the whole story. You need to know your lean body mass vs your percent bodyfat, and there is really no good way to measure this, excapt for a DEXA scan, or a trained fitness coach or trainer who can do a seven point caliper test with accuracy.

I am worried that for whatever reason (most likely your diet) you are losing lean body mass (muscle mass) instead of bodyfat. If your diet is too low in protein or healthy fat, you will burn muscle instead of stored fat when you exercise. Sounds crazy, but it's true! Lot's of women our age hold onto bodyfat mecause of hormonal changes, and we need to change the way we eat, and what we eat.

Since I know you are exercising, I'd like to see what your diet looks like.

Can you post a sample of what you eat in any given day? I suspect you are not getting enough protein, and that the other macronutrients in your diet are out of whack, too.

Hi Arm!

Here's what I had yesterday (which is pretty indictative of what I eat everyday):

Bowl of whole grain cereal (no milk)

Carrot sticks w/ a little bit of a dip

Sesame sticks as snacks throughout the day

For dinner: roasted vegetables in a corn tortila

1 Skinny Cow ice cream bar

So you see, no protein! Or very little on a daily basis.

Yes, my stomach as gone down a little as well as my breasts. And of course any weight loss shows itself in my face first!

Thanks for you time!

Agree about the importance of protein ... you're eating mostly carbs and for me at least, that leads to water retention/bloat and also increased intestinal gas ... all of which makes my waistband tight!

I try to have snacks as well as meals include some protein, and eat at least 5-6 times a day in small amounts.

Your diet is not good. You are starving yourself, your macronutrient ratio is 99% carbohydrates (BAD!!) and your metabolism has slowed down because of it. You are losing lean body mass. That is where your weight loss is coming from. You will soon find that you are eating just about nothing, and will no longer lose any more weight. Plus, your meatbolism can cause adrenal shutdown, thyroid shutdown, and acute hormonal flux, as your body desperately tries to regulate itself.

This is OK for teenagers and young women, they can recover. But at our age, this type of diet causes initial weight loss, but extracts a toll on us that is just too great in the long run. You will becone exhausted, and find your hormonal symptoms increase over time. But don't fret, help is on the way.

Do the math, and do it correctly by using the following equation to calculate your basal metabolic rate (BMR):

BMR = 655 + ( 4.35 x weight in pounds ) + ( 4.7 x height in inches ) - ( 4.7 x age in years )

Then:

Multiply your BMR by 1.2 This is the total number of calories you need in order to maintain your current weight.

TO LOSE FAT, subtract 300 to 500 from that number.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that calorie levels never drop below 1200 calories per day for women or 1800 calories per day for men. Even these calorie levels are quite low, if you are actively exercising.

Get yourself a calorie counter, and find out exactly how many calories you are eating every day. EXACTLY, no cheating.

You need to educate yourself on MACRONUTRIENTS = Protein, Carbohydrates and healthy fat.

Aim for 30% Protein (if not more!) 30% Healthy fat and 40% Carbs (from vegetables and whole grains, NOT white bread, rice, pasta or processed food in a box!)

Now, start on the road to a healthy, fit body.

You want to lose the ugly, nasty, BODYFAT and build up the lean mass you are destroying by eating the way you do!

WEIGHT ALONE IS NEVER A MEASURE OF HEALTH!!!!!!! It's your bodyfat percentage that is bad! Skinny people can have a high bodyfat percentage relative to their lean body mass, which is unhealthy! Just because the scale shows a lower number doesn't begin to tell how healthy your metabolism is.

Armadillo,

Will you give us an example of what YOU would eat in a day? Please?

De
Dear Armadillo
Would you please give us ladies what a good diet should consist of.I am five foot six and weigh a hundred and twenty pounds but my fitness trainer said my body fat is high and I really look pretty slim.So it seem am storing bad fat so would like to reduce this.I exercise three times a week Cardio and Weights.I also do Yoga about twice a week plus walk when the weather here is not too hot.
Any tips greatly appreciated
Elizabeth

Okay, I'm all over the protein part of this. I've already mapped out some meals, snacks etc. I still want to stay away from processed sugars. I will get chicken, a pork chop, eggs, beans, lentil etc. My fave peanut butter. I am stumped tho on what to take for lunches/dinners at work. We are not allowed to use the microwave (don't ask - - long story), so I need to get creative.

And like the others, I am curious as to what your diet consists of. It is so kind of you to share your knowledge with us. I truly do appreciate it.

First off, last night I was able to fit into a pair of capris 1 size smaller than my current size. We went to dinner before going to a concert. I had a chicken salad with dressing on the side - had them leave off croutons etc. Basically it was just the grilled chicken and lettuce and tomatoes.

Today I could barely wiggle into the size 14 jeans I am currently wearing. Last night the size 12's fit fine. I dunno, but I won't give up either. Went to the grocery store. I have chicken, turkey breast meat, peanut butter (oh how to limit myself to 3 teaspoons a day!), turkey burgers, and cheese.

Did you drink the dreaded 8 glasses of water yesterday? Also, you need to be aware of sodium, too much can cause water retention, leading to swelling. Sodium hides everywhere, it is evil how much hides in stuff....salad dressings, and most condiments, any store bought soups, any thing processed. Restaurants use salt mercilessly. Could be your excellent choice of dinner last night was full of sodium - in the chicken!!

I discovered the evils of sodium while trying to eat healthy. Anything that is fat free is high is sodium or sugar, anything low in sodium is high in fat or sugar, it is frustrating to say the least.

There are some cereals (like oatmeal) and some veggies that have higher proteins as well, not to mention nuts. I know, I am always struggling to get enough protein.

Look at the turkey breast you just bought from the deli counter. Over 400mg of sodium per 2 oz of meat! And just when you thought you were buying something healthy! Salad dressing, breakfast cereals and soup are all culprits with super high soduim, too.

Not all of us have a problem with sodium. I can eat an entire salt-lick without a problem. But Marrin, it looks like you may be sensitive to it, and are retaining water as your body tries to equilibrate itself.

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but you need to drink more water to flush out the sodium, and get rid of the retention.
This won't happen overnight. You have to "train" your body NOT to hyper-react to salt intake by drinking a lot more water. And it MUST be only water. You can drink other liquids if you wish, but do so sparingly until you cut back the sodium in your diet. Caffeine and alcohol should also be cut way back until you are no longer getting puffy.

Are you taking estrogen? Estrogen and even phytoestrogens (like soy) cause edema (water weight gain and puffiness and swelling in the abdomen). This is the most probable culprit, if you are on HRT or taking supplements.
Good luck and read every food label

I was thinking about the sodium tonight. I've not had problems in the past with retention, but in menopause......it's a whole different ballgame unfortunately.

I am drinking lots of water and nothing else.

I'm also curious about what you eat Armadillo....please let us know what you eat in a typical day.

Thanks,
DianaJJ

Over the weekend I incorporated protein into my diet: chicken, piece of pork, some cheese, egg etc. Two people asked me today how much weight I have lost

Thanks for your help Armadillo!

A question about Ativan and it's effect on exercise and metabolism!
I've been taking Ativan for generalized anxiety and panic attacks...does anyone know what effect it has on your metabolism?
I try to use my elliptical machine 4 or 5 days a week 40 mins at a time to help with the weight gain this lovely menopausal time seems to pile on it's hard enough staying motivated but the thought of the ativan slowing the metabolism I'm trying to increase through exercise is depressing
thanks!

I guess the slowing would depend on how often you take Ativan, and what other meds you are taking with it. If you just take it on an "as needed" basis, then it may not have much of an effect. I know the sedating effect causes you to have decreased energy levels, which lead to decreased activity, which would ultimately to lead to weight gain.

I asked my doctor about this at one time. Drugs like Ativan and Xanax have no effect on metabolism. Their work is done through the brain. But of course, if you get so relaxed that you stop moving, that could cause a slowdown in your metabolism.....

Armadillo and Pixiegirl! thanks so much for the info I'm heading for my elliptical shortly..at least I'll feel the 40 mins were worth the effort!