STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I think that you should have noticed a difference by now.  While working out is way better than not working out, perhaps you aren't working out to your maximum potential.  Maybe work with a trainer or a friend so that you make sure you are doing the proper weights/exercises/ sets, in the proper form, and make sure you are doing enough cardio.  I find that i don't lose weight or gain muscle if i don't literally exhaust myself working out- not sure its the best way, but i make sure that i literally almost am in tears because its so painful.  Its the only way i've gained real, solid muscle tone- by running and doing some sprints or stairs, or lifting some weights then doing a set of really heavy weights (not too much to throw out my form or anything)  That extra little oomph always makes my workouts hard, but so much more rewarding in the end.  I guess i set a boot-camp ideal for my workouts- i want my body to be challenged and jolted into shape.  I would love to be on a show (minus the show part) like fit club on VH1.  I am not the type to walk for 30 mins at a slightly faster pace and consider it cardio.  I walk all the time during the day already- i think that should just be expected.  While it is a great way to maintain your weight, i don't think its great for losing weight unless you want to do it very very slowly.  Also, make sure you are eating the same amt. of calories or a little less than what you used to eat without the exercise.  i find that sometimes i go for a long run then want to eat all the food in the world because i just burned a ton of calories.  Bad.  Bad. 

I'd say that if you worked out in a way that you are sore the next day, 4-5 times a week, some weights, some cardio, some days of both, plus dropped your calories- maybe 1500 cals a day instead of 2000 and ate as healthy as you could (less refined carbs, more whole grains, fruits/veggies, and proteins), you should see some results pretty quickly- maybe 2 weeks even.  I know that after two weeks at the gym i already look different- my butt is higher, my abs have muscle tone, i can start to see the hamstring muscles...and after a month i would probably have lost a dress size.  Of course, i don't work out like this normally- i should start again though.

Hmm...don't use the scale anymore.  Let the mirror do the talking.  You may not be doing the right exercise for the results you want to see.  I would consult a trainer.  Most gyms have them at not cost since it's included in membership.  Also, are you eating the right foods?  Also to note that I once on the news saw how you shouldn't use fat free dressing on salad greens.  You need a little fat to digest the greens to get the healthy benefits of them.  I wouldn't count calories either.  Just stay away from fast food (unless it's healthy) You just have to watch portions.  Plus make sure you get sugar too in small amounts, don't eat large meals (for lunch it's usually a yummy Lean Cuisine for me).

Here is a sample of what I usually have to eat every day.

Breakfast- Carnation instant breakfast with 2% milk or Aunt Jemima Great Ones microwave breakfast (scrambled eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns)

Snack-hmm..candy, cookies, crackers, occasional fruit, soda.

Lunch- Lean Cuisine or similar microwave dinner or burrito from mini mart.

More snacking here.

Dinner- Hate to admit this but past two years it's been A LOT of fast food, tv dinners, or dining out!  (Sometimes it's just cheaper and easier since there is only two of us) I cook a real dinner maybe once a week.  I need to not be working anymore.  My time is best used at home cooking and cleaning!

Flinstones vitamin (damn, I forgot one today!)

Okay, maybe I have a bad menu except the daily vitamin.

I had the same issue last year.  I was going to the gym every night after work and spending 30-40 minutes on the treadmill and lifting weights 3x per week as well.  Slightly restricting my calories, but overall trying to eat for nutrition.  The only difference I ever saw was that I could run longer without wanting to pass out.  I took 'before' measurements and 'after' measurements (upper arm, bust, waist, hip, upper thigh, lower thigh).  In 3 months, I had lost 1/4 inch on my arm, nothing on my bust, 3/4 inch on my waist, nothing on my hip, 1/4 on both my upper and lower thigh.

So.  Not.  Worth.  It.

Cardiovascular fitness is good, but I don't think everyone responds as well to the standard 'cardio & weights' regime.  This time around, I've lost 11 lbs in the last 4 months, same eating habits, by walking and doing pilates.  And it's a regime that I can actually maintain and work into my daily life.

My FH and I walk for 40 min or do an hour bike ride almost every evening (5x per week).  I do lunges and situps maybe 2x or 3x week, and I do random other pilates stuff like side bends, leg lifts, pushups on the counter ledge, when I'm waiting for something to heat up in the microwave, or I'm waiting for my face toner to dry, etc.  I haven't been this size, or this toned, since I was a full-time dance teacher!

Anyway, enough about me .  If your body is telling you 'This isn't working!', then listen!  Maybe you would respond better to pilates, yoga, swimming, tae bo?  Are you eating enough fruits, vegetables, and protein?