To ask how to shift 7lbs?

[MushySeas]

After losing a significant amount of weight years ago, I'm gutted and feeling depressed to have put half a stone back on since I started running a year ago, and I've tried and failed for 6 months now to lose it again. I love running (15k a week on average) but should I give up?

I'm only short so every pound shows.

I eat healthily, and cook from scratch so no hidden calories. I thought running would help shift a few more pounds!

Every day I'm feeling like a failure for putting this weight back on and I feel very chubby and unattractive.

Any advice at all?

It’s so hard isn’t it? Have you tried low carb? I wouldn’t say give up the running but weight loss will be through diet rather than exercise (is my understanding at least)

Sounds like you’re very hung up on your weight. If you’re running a lot, or even a moderate amount your weigh may go up but it doesn’t make you “fatter”. I’m not sure what the answer is but hopefully someone comes along with some advice on how to separate “weight” and “fat” in your head

Maybe adding some strength training in to build lean muscle? It may not make the scales go down but it'll potentially turn any lumpy bits into lean muscle and take off inches. Also low carb might help a bit too?

I would increase your distances. Longer runs of 6+ miles will burn way more calories. Focus on getting fitter rather than a few extra pounds.

I started doing cardio and strength training at home, and have "only" lost 7 lbs in 5 months but my lower half and arms are looking totally different. Muscle weighs more and looks different than fat. Best to go to a gym or GP surgery nurse and do a check for body fat percentage. That may give you a better idea of overall health.

Is strength training something I can do myself or would I need to join a gym?

DitheringBlidiot I suppose I am hung up on it, but I genuinely do need to lose more weight to feel better.

I’d ignore the scales tbh. All that exercise has probably added muscle which weighs more. I just look or measure to know how I feel weight wise. I think scales aren’t too reliable really. Honestly don’t get hung up on numbers....... how do you feel? I cut down portion size when I’m trying to lose weight, that works for me. I love my food and can eat too much 😫

If i cut out carbs for one week i lose a pound a day!

I’d ignore the scales tbh

Even without the scales I'm definitely feeling chubbier, but I do take your point!

Running is great for your body, please don't give it up just because you've put some weight on (not necessarily fat you've put on anyway!).Have your eating habits changed since you've started running? I get really hungry after exercise, but it's important to get the balance between eating enough to heal your muscles and not so much that you put weight on.

Mushy is it actually visible weight or do you think it's more likely to be a gain in muscle since you started running ? The equivalent volume of muscle is heavier than fat so this might account for it. If your clothes aren't any tighter and you aren't gradually creeping up (ie you are stable at the extra 7lb) then I wouldn't worry too much.
Hugs, I know it's so hard

I get that, that’s how I feel atm @MushySeas. Is there a certain area you’d like to tone or just an overall ‘feeling’? There’s lots of gyms opening near me atm that just do classes - 40 minutes of high intensity training. If there’s something like that nearby you might enjoy it? It’s really popular around here.

I couldn’t do any of those diets that cut out a whole food group personally. I just need to be stricter with portion control. I hope you find what’s right for you x

Running is surprisingly rubbish for weight loss I have found, I gained 7lbs training for a half marathon! If you're not calorie counting, you could very easily increase your appetite to overeat the calories you're burning and more. Our bodies have evolved to run (hunt) and be very fuel efficient while doing so. If you want to use running to boost your weightloss, you need to change the way you run; hill sprints, interval training, or longer distances as suggested by a pp- although even a 10 mile run won't burn as many calories as a McDonald's meal! Strength training/weights/hiit can really help tone you up. I weigh exactly the same as I did this time last year but I'm a whole size smaller.

I agree with pp about low carb, come and check out our blood sugar diet thread. There's various different plans that you can use for weightloss and maintenance, and lots of advice

Blood sugar diet and Fast800 thread 15 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/3593022-blood-sugar-diet-and-fast800-thread-15

@shieldmaidenofrohan

My clothes still all fit, but I definitely feel bigger in them - I'm an inch bigger on my waist and seem to have fatter 'love handle' pouches and a fatter lower back :(

From all the weight I lost years ago (I was very obese) I have looser skin on my arms, thighs and tummy so I would never be able to see any muscle definition so it's impossible to see what's what.

I'm 34 but with a chubby yet wrinkled, saggy, gross body.

Lucky DH.

You sound like you’ve done amazingly well. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Yes. Lucky DH!!

Thanks @TeddybearBaby - it's very specifically my stomach area I hate.

I agree, and I'm reluctant to cut out food groups and I prefer permenant changes.

It could be my portion sizes. I seem to be losing my willpower too and I cave in the evening.

I'm good in the day at eat only 3 healthy meals (no snacks) but by 6-7pm I am so hungry that I feel faint when I stand up, so I have to have something.

MushySeas one thing to do might be to measure rather than weigh (or at least alongside) - if you're exercising more it could be you are building muscle rather than laying on fat. This may affect your weight but doesn't mean you're sliding backwards.

*Bigger saggy wrinkled fatter chubby gross body
*
You aren't very kind to yourself. Look at what you've achieved! You've lost so much weight, you can run 15km a week. Did you ever think you'd be able to do that? What you've achieved is amazing but if you always look at these negative things, you won't see the brilliant work you have done. What would you tell a friend who spoke about herself the way you do?

Be kind to yourself you can make some amazing changes to your life but they start from the head down....!

Oh no just saw your later posts - don't hate on yourself like this!!! You have really achieved a lot, don't hate the body that you have looked after so well. And your DH will be with you for reasons that have nothing to do with back fat or the lack of it!

hug

Full disclosure I am also 34 and not happy with my body. But they're the only ones we have! It's impossible to look after a body you hate. Be kinder to yourself! xx

Plus I do agree about food groups but going low carb doesn't mean 'no carbs' and if you change the type of foods you eat for your 3 meals, you won't get the evening cravings because your body processes them differently. It's particularly effective for Apple shaped bodies who carry weight around the organs (which appears to be 'fat on the stomach')

I'm you could easily do strength training at home. A lot of yoga is about building strength in muscles and is great if you run as well. I do a session everyday just by whacking on YouTube on the TV. I think there's a woman called Kassandra who has a channel with all sorts of different levels and types. The great thing is you're not in a class with other people and can pause etc if you're not sure. You sound like you've done amazingly well and really shouldn't be too hard on yourself. Bodies come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes and are still a bit of a mystery as to how things like weight loss and fat distribution work. Just think about how far you've come and try not to get too hung up on 7lbs.

It's that last 7lbs which is so difficult to lose and to keep off, isn't it?. I'd say don't get too hung up about it but continue to do what you've been doing with a little more exercise and fewer treats.

Don't let it get to you, you've done so well already, so hats off.

I'm good in the day at eat only 3 healthy meals (no snacks) but by 6-7pm I am so hungry that I feel faint when I stand up, so I have to have something.

Could you be anemic? I get like this when I haven’t taken iron supplements. Try spatone.

I seem to be losing my willpower too and I cave in the evening.

So you’ve identified the cause, what can you do to fix it?