Where did this 10 lbs come from???

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-07-2007
Where did this 10 lbs come from???
4
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 11:28pm
I have a dilema. I have always been active and enthusiastic about working out regularly since I was a teenager. My habits have not changed. I go to the gym for at least an hour, 4-5 days a week and alternate between spin classes, treadmill and weight lifting. I have always watched what I ate and allow myself to splurge here or there if I want. After 11 years, I have recently quit smoking and am thrilled with the extra energy I have. I do have a desk job that doesnt require me to walk much during the day. But I have succeeded in motivating (or dragging, depending on who you ask) my friends, family members and a few co-workers to go to the gym with me. HOWEVER.....within the last year and a half, I have managed to gain 10 pounds and no matter what I do or don't do, it WILL NOT come off. I haven't started taking any medications or done anything out of the ordinary that I can think of that would cause this weight gain. I am a picky eater and my diet has not changed. I haven't given in to buying a larger size in jeans just yet. They were too big to begin with (I like baggy jeans) and now they fit the way jeans are supposed to. At least that's what my husband says. Or maybe he's being nice and trying to stay out of trouble, I don't know....Never the less, I want my trimmer body back. If anybody has any insight or suggestions, I would love to hear from you.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 11:57am
I have noticed that the older I have gotten the harder it is to lose weight. As we age, not only does gravity start to fall, but so does our metabolism. You may need to reduce your caloric intake to accommodate your age. It's certainly a conundrum and I am sure frustrating as all heck. Maybe it's water retention? Too much salt or fizzy drinks? Have you thought of seeing a doctor?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 2:58pm
It's been said that losing weight becomes increasingly harder the older we get. That could be one reason for your weight gain- it does sound like you are a healthy and active person, so I'm sure this gain is frustrating to you. I would also suggest going to see a doctor about it if nothing else seems to be working.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 5:11pm

I hear you, I have experienced the same thing, over the past 2 years or so ... I put on about 10-15 pounds I just can't seem to lose, and my habits had not changed. In my case I was also on Zoloft when the weight gain occurred and I believe it did mess with my metabolism, which was probably already slowing down due to age. So it's good that you can rule out medications as a possible cause here -- they seem to be a big culprit in unexplained weight gain.


There's no question that as we age our metabolisms do slow (much as I hate to say it). It even happens to animals, which tells you it's quite natural! And I think we also gain weight for emotional reasons -- excess stress, a bad job or relationship situation -- and all these factors are probably working together.


I also noticed that when I was drinking a lot of diet Pepsi I was retaining a lot of water and weighed more than I do now that I've cut it out -- I don't know if this applies to you or not.


Seeing your doctor is probably a good idea, just so you can rule out any medical causes (i.e. thyroid issues).


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 7:15pm

It sounds like you are doing everything right, so it just could be the aging process - sucky though it is! LOL


As we get older I find that our bodies react quite differently to how we eat, how we exercise, and basically how we live our life. Our metabolism DOES slow, and the weight is simply harder to get rid of. Sometimes even the weight distribution can be different than when we were younger.


I would definitely just pop into the doc to make sure there isn't anything going on medically. Then start tracking what you eat to see if you really are eating the same. An added snack each day over the years can mean a steady but very small weight gain, and then all at once it catches up with you!!


And someone pointed out that our bodies can retain water as well, so make sure you are weighing or measuring early in the day!


Of course joining us here is a great step (my unbiased opinion, LOL). The women here are always supportive and full of wonderful advice and tips!