Toning up at 50.

[Floyd15]

Just after some advice really. I'm looking to tone myself up but struggling. I'm a gym regular and have recently upped my sessions to 3 strength classes and 2 cardio based classes per week. I walk atleast 10,000 steps every day. I haven't always been the most disciplined with my diet but have recently really cut back carbs and alcohol. To increase my protein I've been adding protein powder to my breakfast smoothie, added another protein drink in the afternoon and eat a grenade bar. I'm dismayed to see I've put on half a stone and my belt is 2 notches tighter. I'm 5ft8 and now 11st 3lbs. My stomach and arms gave gained weight but not toned. Any toned ladies of 50 who can help? I'm sure its my diet.

As others have said this To increase my protein I've been adding protein powder to my breakfast smoothie, added another protein drink in the afternoon and eat a grenade bar. is what is causing the weight gain.

Well done on cutting alcohol. No so sure about cutting the carbs.

Don't assume carbs are your enemy. Beans are a great lunch, rolled oats and flax seeds are a great breakfast. Even a piece of homemade dark bread.
Eat real food, don't fear a carrot or a slice of watermelon, or even a small bowl of black rice.
Think fibre, think feeding your gut microbiome, think adopting a colourful diet that protects you in the years to come, so cardiovascular health, dementia and cancer.

Sweet tooth is a funny one. We are all engineered to be attracted to sweet stuff. But there is sweet and sweet. I don't mind a piece of cake from time to time, but I can go without for weeks. Go for berries, frozen cherries in kefir, ... not a kitkat when you crave something sweet.

Are you having whey protein? That caused me to gain weight on my middle. I switched to pea protein isolate and that is fine.