How can Running effect WL and WW?

[Aphreal]

Im noticing a stall/yoyo thing goin on.

Im thinking it has something to do possibly with my running and eating the same daily.

I was always lead to believe that you dont gain muscle unless you lift weights. However I run 3-5x a week (my 'off' days are walking days). Ive done pretty well. Run about 3miles each session. I notice alot of change in my body as a result. COULD this cause a stall or gain?

Also I eat about the same everyday. Its a rut I just noticed falling into. Nothing I did on purpose.

Could these two things hinder my downward spiral.

I know being so close to goal will be harder but I dont want to start seeing again while POP. However, if I know that running and leg muscles would be the cause, I can handle that.

thanks! I hope I made sense

Tiff

[bizz]

G'day Tiff graemlins/wave.gif running will definately build up calf and thigh muscles, will tone and is fantastic for you! Have you measured yourself, you are most likely losing inches :D Varying the diet they say is good, but I too tend to eat very similiar foods each day, but mine is not through being in a 'rut'. Maybe you should vary your food intake and see if that makes a difference.

[bizz]

One other thing, if you're are running before WI that too will make a difference as when exercising muscles retain water!

[Kathryn In Canada]

You must be developing some muscles in your legs if you are running so that could be it. The best way to tell is with body fat % but the scale I have (not the Tanita) is not very accurate, nor is the one at Curves. You kind of need a professional to do it for you. (My 5'5", 135 lb neighbour was measured at 50% body fat at the local Express Fit. Two weeks later they remeasured and she was at 22%. That give you an idea of how a professional is a good idea!)

As for the food rut. I see you have a little one and I found that I was in a huge rut until my kids got older and started to be away from home during supper time (one worked as a waiter, the other at McDonalds). Suddenly, dh and I were interested in experimenting a little bit and the cooking process was the goal, not the final meal. Since you probably don't want to wait another 13 years for this to happen to you (!) if I were you, I'd pick one day a week and make that 'new recipe' night. Try a new recipe once a week, and that will increase the size of your meal plans in a short period of time.

Crock pot meals can be wonderfully low-point and simple to boot, so that's where I'd start, but then again, I'm living in the cold north where a rib sticking meal is called for these days.

Good luck.

(BTW: I checked out your pictures - they are amazing!)

[Aphreal]

Thanks guys! yes I have (3) kiddos and they are 10,4 and 1 so it will be a while HEHE. They stick their nose up at EVERYTHING I make! I did however go through the mexican food thread looking for something new. Thats a good idea.

I do like how my legs are looking smile.gif perhaps Im just being impatient. Ive heard about these last few dreaded pounds and how hard they are to get off. I was hoping I just found a scape goat for the reason.

I will keep on keeping on. Ill be sure to remain OP in points and let it take care of itself...Even with leg and thigh muscle, I shouldnt see too much of a gain, If I do, Ill need to re-assess and see if I can find error in my journals.

(hug)s as always, I appreciate input

Tiff

[girlinmotion]

Tiff,
The running will burn calories and build muscle. That will eventually increase your metabolism and enable you to maintain while eating more food. Definitely a good thing. It will also tone your cardiovascular system and protect you from heart disease etc. Wow, sounds like you should keep it up huh! graemlins/thumbup.gif

I have to argue that it probably isn't the muscle building that is slowing down your weight loss though. I read that it takes the average fit person months to build even one pound of muscle. However, one reason for your stall could be eating the same amount every day. Try to give your body a variety of point values a la Wendy. Have a really high point day, some low point days and some medium days in your week and see if it helps.

Another possibility is that it could be because you aren't eating enough? If you aren't already, make sure you are eating at least some of your APs from your runs. Eat them in the form of healthy things, if you can't figure out what to eat then just have a glass of milk...an easy healthy 2 points.

The last possibility is that you could be retaining some water in your muscles. If your muscles are sore, that means you have some lactic acid buildup and probably some water retention. The way to alleviate this is to vary your choice of activities from day to day to give your muscle groups a day break between workouts, drink more water, and stretch frequently. Hot baths sometimes help too.

Good luck, and keep up the good work! You will get there soon enough!

[youngfrankenstein]

I think you should try to vary your daily points more. Kind of like a modified Wendi Plan. I don't do too much in this area specifically but I always have at least 35 points on Sunday. Just to give me a little up and down.

[Aphreal]

looking back I see that like 5 or 6 days out of the week I have 26 or 27 points. Odd but It the same every day! My only high day is Saturday when we eat out. The rest are the same.

I eat ALL my ap! I know better smile.gif

I think I should try to spike my week like.. maybe wed with either a low or high day. To shake things up smile.gif

Thanks girlinmotion.. I know im eating enough because I always eat my target, all my ap and most my FP.. I wonder if I shouldnt move to the next target of 20.. Hmmm

Tiff