Need input on points and activity
 

Hi there. I posted this in the Momentum/Flex Pts thread, but it doesn't look like that gets a lot of traffic, so I'm reposting here in the general WW area.

I am new to 3FC, not new to WW at all. I've been on WW multiple times, going back to when I was a young teen.

In college I was on WW but didn't lose a lot even though I was working out (aerobics and weight room) 5 or 6 days a week. I didn't stay with it long. Now looking back, maybe I wasn't eating enough.

Then in 2002 I lost 60 lbs. with WW. Loved the points plan, loved the 10 extra points a day I got for nursing, and loved that I lost at least a little bit every single week for 6 months. Talk about magic. But I wasn't working out, aside from carrying the baby and chasing the toddler. Got down to 196 that time.

This time I started at the end of July 2009, and as of last week had lost 36 lbs. I'm in a size 14 for the first time since I was a teenager. I'm feeling much more physically fit thanks to doing Zumba almost every single day. My husband has been doing WW with me and has lost 30, and he had less to lose than I did. We are looking good and feeling good.

BUT... my weight has been creeping up all week. I know it's just one week and it very well could be water weight. I'm a bit sore, so it could be muscles retaining water. It can't be fat. I count meticulously, and I'm honest with myself about what I'm eating. I ate all my 25 daily points and my extra 35 this week, because I'm working out every day and I figure my body needs it. I had a higher day (38) and some lower days (27, 29). And yet, I'm *two* pounds higher this week... back to where I was in mid-December.

Any ideas? I'm afraid my body thinks that when I'm working out it needs to hold on to its reserves. This may be what happened in college. I don't know how to convince it otherwise! I don't want to give up Zumba or even do it less -- I really love it.

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

Maren

Eat your activity points? It could also be that your body is used to the Zumba. We need to change our exercise routines ocasionally. Do you do any weights?

If you have sore muscles you are retaining some water weight also, they go together. Do you usually eat all your weekly points? I know some people who can't eat all of theirs or they will gain.

Okay, yesterday I concentrated on getting more water, and thankfully my weight went back to 190, but that's still only maintaining for the week. But my butt and legs are sore today from yesterday, so it could show up eventually. I tend to get really frustrated really fast when I don't have a loss. Even a .2 loss makes me happy, but maintaining makes me frustrated. Mentally, I know that if I keep plugging it will come off, but I like the scale's validation, you know? Plus I would REALLY like to see the 180s again after 20 years.

I've only been doing Zumba daily for a few weeks, so I don't think it could be that my body is used to it. I have a kettlebell, but I haven't worked out with it yet.

I don't usually eat all my weekly points, no. I started eating half of my exercise points because the first week I did Zumba every day I also didn't lose, and I was worried I wasn't eating enough.

This week I'm going to concentrate on getting in my water and try to use less weekly/activity points. I've planned for 27 today -- 25 daily and 2 weekly. Plus I'll be earning at least 6 at Zumba...

Any other suggestions?

I guess I am one of those crazy people who eats all my daily, all my flex, and all my activity points and I tend to lose pretty consistently. If you are working out that much, you probably need to eat more..maybe try snacks that are high in protein as the protein is good for you especially after a good workout!