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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to wonder why I gained the weight?

182 replies

Nicebucket · 09/02/2016 07:23

I struggled with weight issues in my teens and early twenties- never obese, but I was around a size twelve and looked chubby.

Then I started losing the puppy fat- I also started to clean up my diet and became more active. Lost loads of weight and was down to a size 6.

Thinnest I'd ever been and I was thrilled!

But in the last year, the weight has slowly been creeping back on... I've gained around 5-7 kilos and I'm a size 8-10.

I'm still eating healthy. I'm still as active. I've literally changed nothing!

Why has the weight come back [weight] I could blame some fluid retention on the pill, but I'd begun gaining weight before I started the pill.

Any idea what on earth it could be if I haven't changed diet or exercise regime?

OP posts:
Katenka · 12/02/2016 20:43

How can anyone enjoy lifting something and putting it down again?

how can anyone like running nowhere in particular?

Because different people like different things, maybe.Confused

RunnerOnTheRun · 14/02/2016 17:59

How can anyone enjoy lifting something and putting it down again?

Because it makes you stronger. Being strong prevents all sorts of future problems such as osteoporosis which a lot of elderly people get if they didn't have a fit adulthood.

Eliza22 · 15/02/2016 11:15

And I love walking my dog...in all weathers, every day!

Gwenhwyfar · 16/02/2016 09:39

Runner - saying something prevents future problems doesn't explain why it would be enjoyable.
Running is because it releases endorphins isn't it?
Walking the dog, I get though it would be a huge burden for me.

Eliza22 · 16/02/2016 09:53

Smile It's great and very uplifting. We don't plod around the streets. It's all fields and swimming in ponds. I love to see her running like a loon (golden retriever) and diving in the water to "play".

Gets MY endorphins going, for sure and do approx 2 hrs dairyman every day so, have toned my legs considerably!

Eliza22 · 16/02/2016 09:54

"dairyman"!? I've NO idea what my iPad's doing!

cosamangiare · 16/02/2016 10:01

Walking dogs keeps me sane! It's a big part of my job and I do 2x 3 mile group off lead walks each day (am and pm) and some individual walks at lunch time. I think walking is seriously and sadly underrated.

cosamangiare · 16/02/2016 10:04

That volume of walked miles keeps me fit enough to run half marathons on just one long training run a week.

Kr1stina · 16/02/2016 10:12

There's no point in saying that you don't like someone else's hobby / sport . We all like different things .

The key is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and fits in your lifestyle. Doesnt matter if it's fencing, gym classes, weights or tennis . It's all good stuff - keeps you fit , reduces stress , improves mood .

I like running because I live in the country, can run when I like, straight out my front door. It's safe and free. I'm an introvert so I like the peace and quiet.

If I lived in a big city, where it was noisy with traffic and fumes and I had to run with others because it wasn't safe, I might do something else .

When my kids were smaller and I had no one to watch them, the only exercise I could do was classes in the gym where they had a crèche .

If I end up with knackered knees when I'm older, like a lot of runners , I might take up swimming or cycling .

You just need to fit things around your life circumstances .

Katenka · 16/02/2016 10:51

Running is because it releases endorphins isn't it?

how often do you lift weights?

Because I feel fantastic after. The point is that just because you don't enjoy doing something, doesn't make it unenjoyable.

If you can understand why someone would like running surely you can see why anyone would like any exercise or sport.

I am not runner but wouldn't put it down. Everyone is different thank god

Gwenhwyfar · 16/02/2016 21:55

"There's no point in saying that you don't like someone else's hobby / sport . We all like different things . "

I didn't. I asked a question. There's a difference. Katenka says she feels great afterwards. That's interesting. Why is that Katenka? Does it release endorphins like running? This is a genuine question because I know I should be doing weights as well, just that the thought of it is awful.
I can understand people liking dancing or brisk walking, I suppose they can be exhilarating.

cosamangiare · 16/02/2016 22:05

I love training with weights (not at the moment, some back person told me to never ever use free weights again - have some hypermobility and other issues) but I absolutely love the feeling of pushing myself to achieve new targets, exceed them, setting more goals. Anything you take up at first = very noticeable immediate progress and gains, whether it's running (my first and best love) or weights or whatever.

ghostyslovesheep · 16/02/2016 22:10

definitely vary your training

this week I will do 2 boot camps involving running and sprinting and toning

one aerobics class which is hard and sweaty

and weight training and core work to strengthen and tone

I love working out out doors best but I enjoy the other things as well

Oh and I'm riding at the weekend!

I put weight on very gradually (I am 45) and recently lost 18lbs on WW - I find it really helps me think very hard about food choices and portion sizes - I'd got used to nibbling and huge meals!

Kr1stina · 16/02/2016 22:37

Oh I see. Usually when anyone says " how can anyone enjoy doing x? " and " the thought of it is awful " , it means that they don't like it . And quite often they are implying that anyone who does it is weird .

So I'm glad to hear that you weren't saying that . Because I'm sure none of us want to put down anyone for doing sport. There's enough people out there suggesting that women shouldn't lift weights and those who do are odd.

Ghostly - well done on the weight loss. And the fitness.

ghostyslovesheep · 16/02/2016 22:39

Thanks Kr1stina - I've always loved exercise but I also liked pasta - too much Grin

hollinhurst84 · 16/02/2016 22:45

Gwen - definitely endorphins with weights. I like pushing myself, I like the pain, the sweat. Same as spin, when I'm in spin it's just dark and the music, I can't think about anything else it just melts away. Spin and weights are for my mental health, then I do pole and aerial hoop more for fun and flexibility stuff. And ride my horse!

I can't run any form of distance, never have been able to but I enjoy sprints

AyeAmarok · 16/02/2016 22:53

It sounds to me like your body doesn't like being size 6 - pretty much no ones does! Size 8-10 is thin an dprobably much more healthy. Underweight = bone damage, risky fertility etc etc.

8-10 on a 5ft 3 person is not "thin". And most 5ft 3 people would be perfectly healthy at a size 6.

Statements like this are just ridiculous. It's like the one upthread where someone said it's impossible to have a tummy and be a size 8-10. Of course it's possible. It's not even particularly unusual.

OP, why don't you just start doing some exercise 3-5 times a week and start to get yourself fitter, and seem what happens? And cut back on the alcohol as that really does cause bloating around the belly.

AyeAmarok · 16/02/2016 22:53

It sounds to me like your body doesn't like being size 6 - pretty much no ones does! Size 8-10 is thin an dprobably much more healthy. Underweight = bone damage, risky fertility etc etc.

8-10 on a 5ft 3 person is not "thin". And most 5ft 3 people would be perfectly healthy at a size 6.

Statements like this are just ridiculous. It's like the one upthread where someone said it's impossible to have a tummy and be a size 8-10. Of course it's possible. It's not even particularly unusual.

OP, why don't you just start doing some exercise 3-5 times a week and start to get yourself fitter, and seem what happens? And cut back on the alcohol as that really does cause bloating around the belly.

Yseulte · 16/02/2016 22:58

Agreed.

As I said upthread we're the second fattest country in Europe, what's regarded as 'normal' here is really quite large. Slimness is somehow seen as dangerous, unhealthy.

Original poster
Nicebucket · 17/02/2016 04:40

Umm, I am still thin Wink I'm not saying I'm the vanity size 8, it's the actual size 8. I would just rather be size 6, I felt better about myself then.

I know we're the second fattest country in Europe, but that doesn't mean anything over a size 6 is fat. It wasn't my intention to imply that when I started this thread.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 17/02/2016 04:43

Anyway! Update: I've had breakthrough bleeding which turned into a horrible period for the second month in a row.

So I've stopped the pill with immediate effect! Let's see if any water weight comes off

OP posts:
Katenka · 17/02/2016 06:45

Why is that Katenka? Does it release endorphins like running? This is a genuine question because I know I should be doing weights as well, just that the thought of it is awful.

I have no idea. You have answered your own question. Some sports are exhilarating. So are weights for some people. I couldn't think of anything worse than dancing. But I get that some people love it. It's really not that difficult to understand.

Knowing my body is getting stronger and can do things it couldn't do a few weeks a go. Is exhilarating.

I am also a kick boxer. Lots of people don't understand why sparing is fun. But I enjoy it. I enjoy the flexibility exercises, pad work, perfecting tornado kicks etc.

I just don't get anyone who can't understand that some people find something fun, simply because they don't.

Birdsgottafly · 17/02/2016 07:32

I agree that it could be the Pill and to use MFP.

However, don't underestimate the effect of stress on your body and its ability to make you put weight on.

I destress by walking (usually with my dog) and weightlifting, which with a Kettleball workout, has really changed my body shape, at nearly 48.

I'm a size 10, I'm 5'3", I'd look ill at a smaller size, I was medically underweight and only a size 6-8.

Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2016 09:15

"I just don't get anyone who can't understand that some people find something fun, simply because they don't."

Just wondering where the fun comes from. I know I should do weights myself, but I don't know how to motivate myself.

Knowing my body is getting stronger wouldn't be good enough, I'd have to get something out of the actual activity.

Unfortunately, my leisure centre just doesn't offer many of the things mentioned here, no aerobics, no bootcamp or circuits. I've tried spin, but it's much to painful on the saddle area. I've had people tell me this will get better, but I can't see how those narrow men's saddles can be good for us.

Katenka · 17/02/2016 09:25

Just wondering where the fun comes from. I know I should do weights myself, but I don't know how to motivate myself.

This conversation is going nowhere. I hate running, but don't get confused about why some people love it.

You cant motivate yourself to do it, that's fine. I can't be arsed going for a 5k run.

If getting stronger isn't enough for you, it's not enough. It's is for me. Like runners get something out of going a bit further or bit faster.

If you want to be told some magic answer that will motivate you do weights, Research it. Look up the benefits.

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