i hired a personal trainer about 5 or 6 weeks ago, and have been working out with him three times a week for an hour each time. I am definitely seeing changes in energy and flexibility, but I've only lost about 7 inches total and only about 7 pounds. my pants aren't really fitting much better either.

I guess I'm surprised that it's taking so long. I'm even eating a pretty perfect diet. (five small meals with equal parts protein/starchy carb/nonstarchy carb)

I am doing some workouts on my "off" days too...mostly circuit type workouts, incorporating treadmill/aerobics in between sets.

What results are most typical with weight training like this? I have never done it this way before.

Thanks!

Have you had body analysis done before you started this regimen?
I would like to see the comparison of your body fat percentage and lean mass percentage before and now.

i never had it officially tested. I did weigh myself on the scale though. it checks body fat % too. I was at 42% before I started and at 40% now. Of course I don't know if the scale is very accurate, but that's all I have, except measurements and photos.

thanks!

Hi Lucky,

I think that your current lose is right on track.

You are seeing a weight loss and it appears that your bodyfat percentage is adjusting according to your scale. The idea is not to stop. It is a very gradual process and sometimes there are a lot of small changes that have to occur on the inside before the body is ready to give up the fat on the outside.

One of the things I learned is that the body tends to give up the visceral fat (the fat marbled inside the muscle) before it gives up the subcutaneous body fat. This is the layer that we see just below the surface of the skin.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Just stay steady on the path. We are about the same height and my starting weight was very close to yours. It took me about a year of consistent clean eating and exercise six days a week to meet my current weight. Just keep at it.

Also keep in mind that while it's 80% diet, the exercise, (at least for me) drives my clean eating. If I don't get to go into the gym, lift my heart out, and feel all those endorphins rushing post cardio, then I tend to forget why eating clean is so important. I tend to eat for my workouts.

Best of luck and ENJOY THE PROCESS! (Psst. It's not linear either )

thanks so much! i appreciate your feedback. it does make me feel so much better thinking I'm doing at least *something*. It's hard to stay motivated when the typical signs like the scale, or what size of jeans we're wearing, aren't showing up. We have to rely on our inner health, which isn't usually the standard marker for weight loss. I know I'm doing something good, I'm just not seeing it yet.

I will have to start upping my workouts on the off days. Thinking about doing a brisk walk or something in early mornings to take advantage of that fat burn. I just read working out first thing in the a.m. can burn 3x as much fat. Works for me!

thanks again, and congrats on your success! what a motivation for me! 120 is my goal too, so hopefully a year from now I'll be here motivating others!