Body frustration...is it my age??

Here's the question...could it be that my body since hitting the 30's is changing??

So I am 31 and slowly watching my weight go up and my clothing not fit. I see slight changes in my hips being a bit curvier and legs more muscular...thus leading to me having to go out and buy a size larger in all my clothes. I hate this and it's making me miserable!!

I work out consistently very hard, I am usually training for some race, marathon or 1/2 marathon...I eat healthy regularly but when I eat out usually eat what I want.

What gives...I can't diet or I won't be able to work out the way I do...could it be that Im getting old.

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

Your metabolism is supposed to slow down once you hit your 30's... Maybe you need to change the way you eat, as opposed to dieting.

I a 32 so I understand your pain- and have had a really hard time trying to lose the extra pounds I put on since my wedding 2.5 years ago. I did reach my goal-- and while I weigh less, I don't feel as slim as I did when I was this weight a couple of years ago. But, I was able to lose the weight.

While you don't need to change your caloric intake, but there are a few steps you can take to jumpstart your metabolism.

Really TRY to eat every 2 to 3 hours.. This REALLY works. And not the small meal crap-- a small snack. I like some almonds ( I count out 15 which is 100 calories-- also a small handful is about the same as 15 almonds), a snack size Zone bar (80 calories), an apple, etc.

Also, make sure you have a lot of water before and after meals. A new study came out saying that if you drink a pint of water (the small bottle of water size), you can increase your metabolism 30 to 40% for about an hour. So if you do this while you are eating and after-- it will help you to process the food faster.

Also, I know you run-- but do you weight train as well??

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

Thanks so much for your reply!

You are definitely right...I need to really monitor more closely my caloric intake. Im going to start doing that and the snacks every 3 hours I do already. My water intake could be higher but it's not bad Im going to watch that as well.

I do weights 3 times a week. I do upper body one day, lower body the next, and the last day usually on the weekends I do both.

So frustrating...thanks again for your advice!!

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

I found my weight loss increased when I ate something every 2 hours... So, that's why I started having smaller snacks. My metabolism was at a STAND STILL.. and I still managed to lose 14 lbs over 3 months. This was when I was dieting every day of the last 2 years-- and my scale only went up cause I was eating too little-- albeit healthy.

Also make sure you are eating the most before you work out.

I would try doing weight training more (maybe 4 to 5 times a week)-- and break them up into concentrated muscle groups:

Chest & Triceps
Back & Biceps
Legs & Shoulders

Weight training is really easy to get in since if you do a muscle group workout in one day-- it should only take you 25 to 30 mins to finish it.

If you do that without cardio, you will still speed up your metabolism since 1 lb of muscle burns 28 calories/hour while at rest and 1 lb of fat burns like 2 or 3 calories/hour.

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

Have you tried Pilates or power yoga? Sometimes when you are very physically fit as you are you can bulk up. Classes like that make you longer and leaner. I was amazed at the different Pilates made in my body! And it was covered with a layer of fat!! This is Pilates Reformer on the machine-not mat

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

Posted by melijane

Have you tried Pilates or power yoga? Sometimes when you are very physically fit as you are you can bulk up. Classes like that make you longer and leaner. I was amazed at the different Pilates made in my body! And it was covered with a layer of fat!! This is Pilates Reformer on the machine-not mat

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

Posted by robynfs

Posted by melijane

Have you tried Pilates or power yoga? Sometimes when you are very physically fit as you are you can bulk up. Classes like that make you longer and leaner. I was amazed at the different Pilates made in my body! And it was covered with a layer of fat!! This is Pilates Reformer on the machine-not mat

I love this idea...Im going to look into some studios!!

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

Posted by melijane

Have you tried Pilates or power yoga? Sometimes when you are very physically fit as you are you can bulk up. Classes like that make you longer and leaner. I was amazed at the different Pilates made in my body! And it was covered with a layer of fat!! This is Pilates Reformer on the machine-not mat

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

Posted by randella

Posted by melijane

Have you tried Pilates or power yoga? Sometimes when you are very physically fit as you are you can bulk up. Classes like that make you longer and leaner. I was amazed at the different Pilates made in my body! And it was covered with a layer of fat!! This is Pilates Reformer on the machine-not mat

how often do you work pilates/yoga into your workout?? Or is this your workout now?

My gym has some classes--- and i have wanted to take them-- I'd love to join a pilates studio, but it seems so silly to pay more money when I already have a gym membership.

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??

thanks-- I belong to NYSC, and the one I go to-- seems to offer two pilates classes and two yoga classes a week-- and of course you need to be available to go, AND sign-up since they get crowded. I am going to try to see if I can get once or twice a week. I have a pilates studio near me too-- but I don't want to pay more money.

Re: Body frustration...is it my age??