I've reached W8R2 enjoying the running but why have I put weight on even though having about 1600/1700 cals per day

[lynnmac1]

Running 3x per week and also walk 2 miles per day to work. I'm a bit worried that I also haven't had a period since I started C25K. Has this happened to anyone else?

[mattaitch Graduate]

How far off a "healthy" weight are you? Could it be you have exchanged fat for muscle which is denser and therefore heavier?

Also how sure are you about your calorie intake? I found that until I bought a set of electronic scales I was wildly underestimating the size of my portions and I was shocked at how small 100g of pasta was!

[lynnmac1 in reply to mattaitch]

I'm not a healthy weight, I'm 14st and 5' 5''. However I do have a healthy diet and haven't put weight during the past year until I started doing this C25K. I particularly watch what I eat now because I didn't want to eat more due to the increased exercise, so I now eat less.

[Innuendo Graduate]

Muscle. I've lost 4 stone this year so far, but hardly nothing in the past 7 weeks since starting the plan. Obvioulsy this is down to builsing muscle and improving your stamina - but I have found a massive different in the fitting of my clothes and have dropped nearly 2 sizes.

As the rund beome longer and you work that little bit harder, the weight will drop off - as longa s you're eating well of course!

[lynnmac1 in reply to Innuendo]

I hope so, thanks. I must admit my jeans are looser

[TJFlute]

The easiest way to find out if you have lost fat (but gained muscle) is to have your body fat% read. You can get this reading with certain weighing scales and they're not very expensive.

[Pixel Graduate]

What might be wiser to do is to get a tape measure out, and measure your tummy, hips, thighs etc.

My other half was very overweight two years ago and after a big diet push he lost a lot of weight very quickly. However, as he became a frequent gym-go'er there came a point where his weight loss started to fluctuate. As we were doing his weight loss alongside a GP, the nurse mentioned at the time that muscle was heavier than fat- so quite often weight isn't the best indicator. It's for the same reasoning that BMI isn't an ideal indicator for some people.

The GP had been measuring him from day one, and true to form- despite having not lost much on the scales, his waist was still going down. I'd honestly suggest giving this a go- if your jeans are looser you may suprise yourself!

As for your periods, I'd get down to your GP about this. It could be down to numerous reasons, and it's better to be safe than sorry with these things if something is seriously wrong.

[happierswimming Graduate]

c25k is unlikely to adversly affect your health so check with your Dr re-periods. it's true that excessive exercise does affect some women but 15k per week even when added to your walking isn't excessive.

[keepntabs Graduate]

There can be a number of reasons why the scale may show a weight gain. You didn't mention how much weight you've put, or when or how you began to notice the difference in your weight. So, it is difficult to say that the reason is an increase in muscle. As another person said, it would be a good idea to measure yourself, and compare them to previous measurements. This would be a good indicator if your body weight is changing to more muscle and less fat.

For consistency sake, you should always weigh yourself at the same time of day, and your routine before the weigh-in should be the same, too. That includes bodily functions. So, if you used to weigh yourself before using the toilet or eating/drinking anything, and now do it afterwards, then the scale may show a weight gain.

If you are a woman that still menstruates, you will experience weight gain through normal fluid retention during your cycle. Also, if you will retain fluid if eat foods that have a lot of sodium in them. You will a lot of sodium in foods that are in can, bottles and jars.

Another reason for the change could be the types of foods in your diet. White foods like regular flour, pasta, breakfast cereals, breads, rice etc., are highly processed, and can sabotage a weight management plan. Try to make sure that you eat whole grain versions of these foods. These also tend to have a lot of sugars in them, and excess sugar becomes stored as fat in the body.

Your calorie intake sounds fine for a moderately active woman who wants to maintain her present weight. If you are trying to lose weight, for example 1 pound a week, you must burn 3500 more calories than you ingest during that week. You should eat about 5 small meals a day, and have a fruit or vegetable with a protein source with each meal. This doesn't always have to be meat. If you aren't allergic, you can eat nuts, beans, dairy or soy. Be sure to note the amount of sugars in the fruit you eat. Be sure to limit flavored drinks (that includes the sugar and cream added to coffee and tea) and alcoholic beverages, because those calories add up, and usually provide very little nutritional value.

If none of the suggestions provided give you a definitive answer to your issue, then I recommend that you follow up with a qualified professional for further examination.

[keepntabs Graduate]

I apologize for not fully reading your post, because I provided some information that wasn't necessary. Actually, it sounds like you may be pregnant, if you are sexually active with a man.

[monak]

Weight gain and lack of period would suggest pregnancy to me until proven otherwise. I'm a GP.

[lynnmac1 in reply to monak]

no definitely not. I have done an exercise programme a couple of years ago and my periods stopped then as well