I havent been around in a while because things were going well and just kind of got out on my own. Have been struggling lately and looking for some help!!

Little background - my husband in April started the process of getting placed on a transplant list. About that same time I had decided to train for my first marathon in October. Things were going along pretty well - I was starting to run more and was running about 4 days a week. I was always doing some other kind of cross training in the morning with videos or wii games.

Then came July and my husband had his transplant and life went a little crazy. I had stopped most of my morning exercise and was running maybe once a week. I hadnt given up on my marathon training but I was just doing the long runs. Of course what I was eating wasnt the greatest because it was hospital food. But the scale was staying and wasnt going on. So I thought I was doing ok.

Eventually we moved back home -well we are living with my mother who does not cook so healthy - and I started running 4 days a week again and doing 18 - 20 miles on Saturday alone. I was doing workouts most mornings and was watching what I was eating more and the weight started packing on. Each week another 1 - 2 lbs.

Now it's October and I have gained just about 12 lbs since then. So over about 2 months time I have put on 10 lbs the other 2 were over the other part of the summer. I am just at a loss. I have been running more than ever - watching what I have been eating and doing the cross training so what gives? My tummy has definitely expanded and my jeans are tight and I can tell when I am running that I have the added weight.

Could it be that I wasnt eating enough during training? Is it the stress? Is it I am not eating the way I really should be eating? Very frustrated.

My marathon is on Sunday and I want to really figure out what I need to do next to get this weight back off and get the belly gone!!

I don't know the answers to you questions...but I did want to give you a big hug. I have confidence that you'll get it figured out!

Well, first, I'd say don't be hard on yourself- my gosh! Look at all you've been through!

As to the weight gain...you mentioned your mother doesn't cook the healthiest. I was eating what I thought was healthy and exercising 7 days a week and not losing a thing- my doctor made some suggestions and so I cut my carbs in half and started losing weight. I think that simple carbs somehow make it easier for our bodies to hang onto the fat and even gain weight, even when we don't eat that much. You might consider cutting back on carbs, if you haven't already. I cut all processed foods (to get away from HFCS), juice, sugar, honey, and cut way back on things like pasta, rice and potatoes. I lost 10 lbs in a month doing that.

Thanks for responding I know after this week my carbs will go way down again in hopes that will help. Also I did go in last week to have my thyroid rechecked to see if it could be the problem as well. I know I have been very bloated feeling too. Maybe that could be the answer too. At least give a good direction to figure things out!

Not sure how old you are.. but is it possible you could be pregnant??

Might account for the belly-weight, bloated feeling, and sudden weight gain?

Just a thought - I had my 3rd baby just before I turned 41, and got pregnant the first month we tried... so it's not such a far-fetched idea!

GL with figuring it all out!