Why am I putting weight ON!!?

[Gridlet]

I've put 3 pounds on in 3 weeks since starting this programme and I've cut out sweets and chocolate too! I'm not starving myself just eating healthily.

[JayLou]

It was week 4 that I lost a few pounds, I started the programme in the hope to loose weight and nothing happened for the first few weeks, although I felt slimmer the scales did not agree! I have not weighed myself again yet, I just know that I feel slimmer and healthier and I'm sure you will too, keep up the hard work and I'm sure you will see a difference

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to JayLou]

Thanks jaylou! Hope so!

[andystev Graduate]

I wrote a little bit about this a while ago. It might help...

couchto5k.healthunlocked.co...

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to andystev]

Very helpful andystev! Thanks!

[Misstrolly Graduate in reply to andystev]

a very helpful article indeed, thankyou.However, I want to read the next story...

"Get to week 9, 10 or even 11. Once you’re comfortable running half an hour 3 times a week regularly then it’s time to start setting weight goals. And that’s another story… "

I'm well into my stride on the longer runs now, and I would be very interested to find out about fat loss now I'm becoming a "proper" runner.

Thankyou

[Malcy Graduate]

I only started c25 to lose weight - the logic is that if you burn 500 calories in exercise, it's the same as not eating those 500. I set a 1500 cal intake (1000under the norm for a male) = 1kg per week. With 3/4 runs a week burning another 1500/2000, i reckoned I would lose another half a kilo.

Unfortunately, like you, I soon discovered it didn't work like that. I'm no physiologist but it's as though the body has a limit of 1kg loss per week? Certainly the idea of muscle replacing fat seems to be true (and I found interesting stuff about how fat & muscle retain different amonts of water).

The key for me was that I have been losing that kilo a week since January and am now 15kg or two & a half stone(!) lighter. It's brilliant and I honestly would encourage anyone looking to lose weight not to give up on the programme when the scales don't start to fall. You ARE losing fat. And that feeling when you find yourself running up the stairs at work just because - well, just because you can and want to - is phenomenal.

I visited my GP on Thursday and the greeting was "well look at you". People at work previously on a nodding acquaintance are mentioning the difference too. What a boost to the self esteem of an ageing fat bloke - well, not quite as fat now. I still have another 12 kg to lose, but I'm hooked now and looking forward to it.

So do stick with it, count those calories, do the programme and I'm sure you'll see a huge benefit. There WILL be times when your spirits are down and your brain tells you it would be easy just to give up - who are you kidding and all those negative thoughts we all get. But I found that if you just remind yourself why you started in the first place, you can carry on - and these thoughts do diminish as the weeks go by. Reading the blogs here is also good for your spirits - you can see all the emotions being reported there. However, look at how many are positive - I GRADUATED they say. And so can you. Fitter, leaner and, for me, very much lighter.

Sorry for writing so much. I think I got carried away there!

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to Malcy]

Thanks Malcy, Its just a bit disheartening isn't it? I do feel heaps better though!

[juicydee Graduate]

I too got very disheartened as I mainly started this to lose weight but started putting it on, but AndyStev's blog helped enormously and I decided to stop stressing about it. Now that I'm 3 weeks post-graduation and running 30 mins+, three times a week, I can cautiously say that the weight is beginning to shift - I'm trying not to weigh too often so not sure how much has gone, but certainly the 4-5lb that I'd put on since starting C25K! I'm just beginning to fit into clothes that have been too tight, and (gents avert your gaze please) now have to do my bras up one hook tighter :-). I'll blog about this (not the bras specifically!) when I've got a bit more evidence as it's early days still, but please don't be discouraged Gridlet - you are doing the right thing so don't let anything stop you!!

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to juicydee]

Ah! Tnx Juicydee, I could have cried when I got on the scales! I feel much better now though...

[judyB Graduate]

The best suggestion I was given about a year ago was to throw the scale away. Measure yourself and determine weight loss/gain by how your clothes fit. I struggled with this in the beginning because I really, really wanted to know my weight number....but it's been well over a year since I last steppped on one. Just once a year at the doctors - and even then I look away! Keep up the great work! It should be how you feel rather than a number

[Gridlet Graduate in reply to judyB]

Yes this is true... Thanks judyb!

[Becksta87]

I have been going to the gym now for around 2 years. My weight hasn't changed massively but I just wish I had measured myself at the start, the changes in my shape have been more noticeable. I get disheartened when the scales just won't budge but at the end of the day it's just a number. It's seeing less wobble and cellulite on my thighs that has made me see the benefits!

[Jeansybaby Graduate]

Same here week 1 to 3 I lost weight, but over the period of week 4 I've put on a total of 10 pounds.

[OldNed Graduate]

I lost no weight at all in the first month, not an ounce. But then, around week 4, it slowly began to fall away and by Week 9 I'd lost half a stone, down from 12 and a half. It's stayed consistently at 12 since then but I'd like to get more off - I think Bridge to 10K will see off another half stone and I'd be content with that. Slowly does it seems to be the answer.

[bizzyb Graduate]

I get fed up too, the weight doesn't shift very quickly if at all, I am now on week 8, haven't lost much but I have just got into a skirt I haven't worn for 4 years so at least one dress size down if not two, mostly it seem to be the spare tyre thats gone so hopefully the rest will follow! Seems to kick in once you are regularly on the longer runs