Cant Lose Weight.

Question
QUESTION: I'm 26, in 2006 gained 55lbs during my Pregnancy, have been 145 since. Would like to get back down to 125-130 (where I'm comfortable). Last May (2008) I starting eating better, tracking my Calories, Carbs, Fat, & Protein, and got a gym membership. I got down to 130 by August. From August to January, couldn't lose anymore weight but was able to maintain it. In January 2009-March, I took time off from the gym because of back to back vacations. In that time off, I've gained everything back. I also changed my birth control to the Depo-Vera Shot. Now that I'm working out again (started in April) I can't seem to lose anything. I work-out at the gym on Mon., Tues., Fri., I bowl on Wed.'s, and play in a Sand Volleyball league on Thurs.'s. I have cut my caloric intake by half (i use to eat out everyday and easily eat about 3,000 calories a day). I eat between 1200-1550 calories a day, 160-230 Carbs, 32-56 Fat, 60-120 Protein. I don't understand why I'm not shedding any weight. It's very discouraging and I want to give up. Also, I've had blood work done to see if there is something else going on, and it all turned out fine. I don't get! Please help.

ANSWER: Kristen,
The Depo is going to make the weight loss harder. I completely understand how much easier it makes life- but the weight gain issue is one to consider.

I still have some questions though. How much weight training are you doing at the gym, what kind of weight for how many reps and sets? How long are you doing cardio for?How high is the intensity level on a scale of 1 (am I exercising?) to 10 (I'm gonna die!)?  How active are you on the volleyball court? ( I know I have played some volleyball where I might as well have been watching TV and other games where I am killing myself!)

I will probably get in trouble for saying this but bowling isn't exercise. Any time you "play" for 2 minutes and sit for 10 you aren't really doing anything for your body.

Also, how tall are you?

Get back to me with that and I can maybe suggest some tweaks to your training regime:)

Lela

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I switched from the pill to the depo because I want more kids, my husband doesn't, and I forget to take the pill frequently. I didn't want an accident to happen with my husbands current stance and I didn't want to do Mirena because I'm hoping to have another in two years and think its a waste of money.
My weight training right now consists of the ab machine where I do 3 reps of 30 with 70lbs. Back extension machine, 3 reps of 15 with 90lbs. Assisted Pull-up/Tricep Dip Machine, 3 reps of 5 with 125lbs (very hard for me, my upper body strength is bad). Overhead Press, 3 reps of 15 with 40lbs. Abdution/Addution leg machine, both ways at 3 reps of 15 with 60lbs. My Cardio (which I do first) is either the elliptical on the fat burning program which is 35 minutes (this works me at a level 4 when the resistance is low and a level 7-ish when its high). My heart rate is usually between 145-165. I also will jog on the treadmill where I walk for five (speed 3.5), run for five (speed 4.7) and I do this for 30minutes with a two minute cool down. This is a level 8-9 to me and my heart rate is usually 170-180 while running and 160's while walking. I am 5'6" and carry my weight from my lower stomach (since my pregnancy) to my thighs.
Here something for you too, my measurements that the gym took on 2/13/09:
Bust-32, Waist-29, Hips-39, Thigh-22
As of 4/27/09 they are:
Bust-32, Waist-34, Hips-42, Thigh-26

Hopefully this will help you some. Also thank you for you're quick response, I appreciate it!

Answer
Your cardio training sounds right on. I want you to up your weight and lower the amount of times you do each exercise. Instead of doing a total of 90 crunches- up the resistance and do a total of 30. Aim for that 30 number with most of your exercises (Not the Assisted Pull up/ dip- work your way up on that one:) ) This will help build some muscle and speed up your metabolism.

Give your body time to bounce back. Between a baby, then eating very clean and exercising, to going on vacation and ( I'm assuming) eating anything and everything, to coming back to the eating clean and exercising- you have had your body on a roller coaster! Be patient, do what you know is best for you (and you are teaching your child good habits too! ) and it will come around.
Have a great day!
Lela

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