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2004/06/12, 10:01 AM
Okay, I new to the site, and I am in quite a dilemma. I am a 30 year old female who was in the best shape of my life a couple of years ago. I decided to go to Canada for five months last year (January to June), and even though I went to a gym there and exercised regularly, I managed to put on 30 pounds(most of which seems to be a fat layer---or that polar bear layer of fat as I call it). Of course my diet was a bit different there because I was at the mercy of those with whom I was staying, but I ate smaller portions, of course. I have been trying now for a year to lose it but with no results. I am quite frustrated and disillusioned because it has never taken me longer than 3-4 months to "whip myself" back into shape. I've also noticed that my body chemistry has changed a bit too. I think the extremely dry, cold climate had a negative affect on my overal metabolism. (I live in the Southeast, so the 30 below weather was a total shock to me). I exercise 5-6 days a week---usually about 30-45 minutes of cardio and lean weight training. However, in the process of doing this, it appears that I am gaining inches--Would this perhaps be due to the fact that I'm building muscle underneath the fat and it takes awhile to burn it? Hence the increase in inches? I'm just at a point where I've researched and looked into many avenues---I found what worked for me a couple of years ago, and it's not working now. I would greatly appreciate any advice someone could provide. Thanks.
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Brantley: \"The growth of a goldfish is only limited by the size of its bowl.\"
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Brantley: \"The growth of a goldfish is only limited by the size of its bowl.\"
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2004/06/12, 10:14 AM
Hi fireberry, welcome to ft.
The first thing that comes to mind is, don't underestimate your body's ability to make accomodation for climate changes. Just like starving yourself puts your body into storage mode, it's just as likely that a length of time in a very cold climate will cause a change too. It's all about the body's natural ability to adapt and survive. I cite the Eskimo people as an example. Because of their geographic location, and in part because of their diets, they tend to have a higher body fat percentage than people who live in more moderate climates. If you need the research for this, I will dig around in my text books and find it for you.
The second thing that comes to mind is, yes, our bodies do change as we age and we have to fight a little harder.
Let's see a list of what and when you eat during a typical day, along with a list of your excerise/weight training.
Do not be discouraged, it doesn't burn any calories or build any muscle and is therefor a waste of your valuable time and energy. You have come to the best place for help and encouragement and you will be successful.
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Anni
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Hard work must have killed somebody
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2004/06/12, 12:34 PM
Hello fireberry, I posted with regard to this in another forum.
And as I mentioned, I lived near Canada all my life and I don't believe we had higher body fat percentages there as down south...
(Eskimo's actually have significantly reduced fat in their blood; Greenland Eskimos who moved to Canada discovered that thousands of years of freedom from heart disease disappeared in one generation when they lowered and changed the fat content of their diet. Their traditional diet consisting mainly of seal blubber protected against heart disease, while a much lower fat diet made up of other animal foods did not.)
As far as your metabolism changing because you were in Canada for just a few months -I don't think that would make much difference other than if your activity was lower due to the colder climate and if your eating habits were off, but the Canadians I knew didn't really eat much different than the rest of us here in the U.S. Again, I moved 1200 miles south and my metabolism didn't get any better nor did I lose weight, though I now have more warmer months to be active outside. Age can make a difference in our metabolic rates, as can other things. When in doubt - check it out, maybe go to your doctor and tell him what is going on. And as Anni said, don't get discouraged, just look carefully at what you are eating, how you are working out, etc. and you should be able to get the results you are looking for. You could fill out your profile and find out what FT has for suggested exercises/nutrition, too. Again, Good luck to you!!
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Veda
MISERY IS OPTIONAL
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
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