July 2007July 2007
Q:
I have been working out with a personal trainer twice a week for 6 months. We weight train for the whole 45 minutes, but I not losing bodyweight. Why isn’t this working?
- Trying, but Frustrated And Disappointed
A:
You would need to know a couple more things before you could even guess why you aren’t losing weight.
First, did you see a doctor before you started working out? That’s always a good idea. The doctor can guide you in safe, controlled tests of your ability to serve as a starting point for training. Equally important is that your doctor can make sure nothing else is wrong. Problems with the thyroid is just one example of factors that can make losing weight difficult.
Second, have your eating patterns changed? If you are eating slightly more calories than you used to, you might be eating more than you are burning. You can talk to your doctor or a certified nutritionist to determine your body’s actual need versus your consumption.
Third, are you getting any cardio / aerobic training? Are you training in the "aerobic zone?" Is everything you and your trainer do very easy for you? For more information check out some of our previous articles that explain these concepts.
Also, when you say "weight training" do you mean "strength training?" Building strong muscles is good, but is doesn’t necessarily build a lean body. You can have very strong muscles with too much fat on top. A combination of weight bearing exercise to build strong muscle and bone, plus cardio exercise for strong heart and lungs is the most balanced program. Check with your doctor to find out what is right for you.
Finally, did you know that an inch of muscle weighs more than an inch of fat? Muscle is denser, therefore heavier. For example, I weigh about 150 lbs when I am at my leanest, but I also weight about 150 lbs when I am at my fattest. The difference is that when I feel trim I have a 25 inch waist, and when I feel fat my waist measures closer to 28 inches. Same body weight, different body measurements.
If the first three suggestions don’t give you an answer, try using a different measure of your workout progress. Are your clothes loser around the thighs, hips, or waist? Do you feel better? You can have a doctor, trainer, or nutritionist test your body-fat index, then re-test after several months of regular exercise to help find out what is really going on.
-Margo, Randomosity Fitness