Just lost 7 pounds in the past 11 weeks! (compared to taking FIVE MONTHS to lose 8 lbs last year!) (muscles, gym)

[newbie09]

Went from 155 lbs 1st week of January down to 148 lbs this morning, March 17th, 11 weeks later! Really happy about this-- especially since last year it took me so long, almost FIVE MONTHS from April to Sept, to lose 8 lbs!! (from 160 lbs to 152 lbs) BTW, I'm female, in my mid-50s & just 5'2".

Last year during those 5 months I was eating similar to how I'm eating now (keeping track of daily calories, averaging 1500 cal/day, lots of veggies/fruits, mostly high-fiber, low-fat foods, keeping portion sizes small.) Plus last year during that time, I was walking 5 miles 2 or 3 times/wk, biking, playing singles tennis 4 - 5 days/wk. Yet I lost weight VERY SLOWLY even though started at a higher weight last year.

The difference this year? This year I started doing weight training! Even though doing lighter weights, more reps, probably increased my muscle size? Since early January, I've been going to the gym (YMCA) for exercise classes-- weight training, yoga, zumba, etc. Trying lots of new things, lots of variety, recently started Tai Chi, went to a Turbokick class (for about 10 minutes) and even considering trying a bellydancing class. Been trying to shock my muscles, shock my body into losing weight!! Added tennis (my first love) about a month ago when weather improved here in NC, now playing about 3 - 4 days/wk for 90 min - 2 hrs each time. Still doing biking, still doing walking, just not as much.

So it seems that I cut back on cardio & added weight training, along with other varieties of exercise. Results-- Firmed up, lost inches, lost bulges at the side of my hips, clothes fitting better, much quicker running down balls on the tennis court and maybe my metabolism is better due to increased muscle? Maybe finally burning calories at a higher rate? Just 18 lbs more to go to be at 130 lbs, my goal weight is in sight!

Hope everyone else is having a happy St Patricks Day!!

[OngletNYC]

Originally Posted by newbie09

So it seems that I cut back on cardio & added weight training, along with other varieties of exercise. Results-- Firmed up, lost inches, lost bulges at the side of my hips, clothes fitting better, much quicker running down balls on the tennis court and maybe my metabolism is better due to increased muscle? Maybe finally burning calories at a higher rate? Just 18 lbs more to go to be at 130 lbs, my goal weight is in sight!

Correct. The higher muscle mass gives you a higher metabolism, which in turns leads to burning calories more efficiently.

Congrats, and keep up the good work!

[mia12]

Exactly. I found out too that adding weight training helps a lot.
Congrats and keep up the good work!

[*Sixy*]

Congrats!!! If you love the weight loss effect from building muscle, wait til you see the change in your body measurements!

If you haven't been doing measurements, START! Such a boost to pull the tape measure just a bit tighter each time

[phoenixscorpiogirl]

Good job Newbie 09!
I have to add I have lost quite a bit of weight lately too, my doc was wondering how or what I was doing to lose almost 30 pounds in 4 months...well, Ill tell you, I stopped eating most meat, now I eat chicken and turkey, and lots of fish. Not too much junk anymore and lots of veggies. I also been hiking more like I used to, oh and did I mention now that I have a serious guy we have sex like crazy?(and we met before I lost weight so I think sex does help!)
I am 5'10 and now weigh 173, I want to be back to 145 and Ill be very happy. I had to but new jeans because the ones I had didn't fit, now the ones I bought are getting loose, but I'm not complaining