Wife just turned 40 and although she works out (weights + light cardio) 5 days a week, doesn't drink, and eats barely any processed food + eats plenty of protein, she's suddenly gaining weight/fat and feeling really down about the situation. Nothing has really changed other than she's eating even healthier than before since the weight gain started. My guess is it hormones, her thyroid tested normal as well as all other markers. Her mother had the same thing happen right around menopause.
if she is weight training and eating plenty of protein, id wonder: 1) if the scale weight isnt reflecting increased muscle mass; or 2) her "plenty of protein" (protein sources, esp whole foods, are calorie-dense). Her intake may be a little higher than she needs, esp if the focus is lifting and only light cardio.
Id bet she just needs to recalibrate the diet or adjust the routine to bring her cal intake in line w output.
Assuming no health issue.
Good luck!
"Just tell me the truth, no matter what you say I promise I won't get mad."
"Promise?"
"100 percent, I just want the truth."
"I fucked your sister."
I guess I have nothing to add.
But yeah, accurate calorie counting is the key if she's really upset. It's annoying but works.
As an aside, Water retention can lead to feelings of bloating and can be combated slightly by increased water intake and less sodium if she has a high Na diet. Either way, this is not something to worry about long term as it is a not a true reflection of weight and evens out.
Intermittent fasting also works but not as fast.
But yeah, accurate calorie counting is the key if she's really upset. It's annoying but works.
As an aside, Water retention can lead to feelings of bloating and can be combated slightly by increased water intake and less sodium if she has a high Na diet. Either way, this is not something to worry about long term as it is a not a true reflection of weight and evens out.
This is the answer. You can lose weight on a diet of hot dogs, Cheetos and Twinkies if you limit caloric intake to less than what you burn. Not a good idea, but the point is you have to determine caloric intake and make reductions in order to lose weight.
Calories in vs. calories out.
Nothing else matters.
Caveat, if she's increased her water consumption it will show up on the scale. But, it will plateau.
I will add that walking is better than jogging for weight loss as is weight training over cardio.
I think she'll get the idea
I’ve worked out regularly for most of my adult life, but as I got older (just turned 63), I found it hard to lose weight despite how much I worked out. I started incorporating HIIT sessions between my strength sets, and lost 25 lbs in 3-4 months. I made some dietary changes too, but nothing drastic.
I have a treadmill, so my HIIT cycles involve a warm-up 1/4 mile (7 mph), and then a faster 1/4 (8.5 mph). It’s worked well for me.
All kinds of ways to do it. But for me what I was able to do with very little effort was not eat anything after 4pm, Then don’t eat again until 11am.
I eat whatever I want between those hours, though do try to keep it healthy and limit bread/beer intake. Weekends I do whatever the hell I want. So yes you could be more strict about it but you don’t have to, to see a difference.
You do NOT want to be her supervisor--the calorie police--who tells her to "Put down that cookie!"
See if you can find a female friend of hers who also wants to lose weight, to take on that role. Maybe somebody who goes to Weight Watchers with her (although I'm not big on
Weight Watchers.)
I lost a ton of weight on a ketogenic diet, which I continue to follow and have kept the weight off for the last 20 years.
A+ no notes.
Been working out for maybe 15 years now.
They lost weight by eating French cheese?