The Belly fat curse

Three years ago I did a 12 week Body for Life programme. I lost 15 kg in 3 months.

I then stopped training every day and my weight slowly crept up. By September 2010 it was back to 90 again. So I went back onto the 12 week programme. I also stopped smoking - went from 60 smokes a day to zero! Problem is.... In the 1 year since I stared training again I haven't lost a single gram of weight or a single centimeter off my waist!!!

Nutritionists say it is because my metabolism has slowed to nothing after I quit cigarettes. I have, however, put on quite a bit of muscle.

Today I am starting all over again to try to lose the centimeters around my waist. The nutritionist has prescribed Ciplatrim and ALL1 for the next 2 months. This together with resistance training 4 times a week and cardio once a week (45 minutes) is what I am pinning my hopes on this time.

Wish me luck.

Good luck and HUGE congrats on no more smoking!

Thanks so much! I read a great book which made it so easy.

Angela Z. What type of resistance training do you do? I used to do it and aerobic exercise and really got buff. Then I stopped and in a similar tale to yours I gained weight and lost definition. Now I am trying to get back on track and I am struggling with my motivation.

Any tips?

what book did u read to quit smoking? GOOD LUCK!!

Glowstix, the easy way to quit wmoking by Allan Karr is one of the most interesting reference to help you quit . You also can find a lot of help on www.quitnet.org.

Angelo, I don't know how long you've been quit but don't worry!!!! If you had the determination to quit,you will go through this with great ease too!!! Losing weight was easier for me than quitting smoking. But keeping the weight off is less easy than to staying away from cigarettes! It demands a little work but you can do this!!!

Hi Hey Jude. OK here is the programme:

Mondays - Legs
Tuesdays - Chest
Wednesdays - Cardio 30-45 min and abs 20 min
Thursdays - Back and biceps
Fridays - Shoulders and Triceps
Saturdays and Sundays rest!!!!

I change the exercises for each muscle group after 4 weeks so that I don't get comfortable with the movement and weight.

The resistance training is what I really enjoy - that 1 hour in the gym, no phone, no e-mails, no decisions to make! - and I have definitely built muscle. Straight after training (within a minute) I have a protein shake (whey protein with casein) and glutamine).

Tons of exercises for each muscle group on the net, if you don't have a personal trainer, at a beginner, intermediate and advanced level. Also if you can't go to gym everyday you can combine Chest with Shoulders and Tri's and you can do your cardio on the weekend.

Now if I can just get the eating part right. I must say that I have no hunger pangs or cravings on the Ciplatrim.

Good luck Hey Jude and please stay in touch!!!

'the longest journey always starts with a single step'

Hi Glowstix.

The book I read is "the easy way to stop smoking" by Allen Carr. Now please understand that I smoked 60 cigs a day for 30 years (I am 49 now) - and I was petrified to even contemplate stopping.

I would panic at the thought of not having a smoke first thing in the morning, with my Cappuccino, after a meeting, at my computer etc.

Half way through the book, which took me 3 hours to read, I knew I was going to stop, had no fear (zero) and couldn't wait to get to the end of the book so that I could stop (as per the book's instructions).

Well, it was the easiest thing I have ever done to the extent that, one year later, I cannot believe I used to smoke.

I was reluctant to state which book I read as I did not want to be seen as promoting a product - but then Frosty Lady mentioned the book first!!!

Good luck if you are going down that road!! www.allencarrseasyway.com

Hi Frosty Lady

Thank you so much for the encouragement. I agree that keeping the weight off is harder than the stopping smoking!! However I was so disciplined with my nutrition and exercise, that to not lose a single centimeter around my waist has been demoralizing.

I am pinning my hopes on the fact that my natural metabolism slowed to nothing because it had nicotine to do the job for it for 30 years, and that with the 2 month drug programme it'll get the kick start it needs.

I am not worried about my weight - just centimeters around my belly! Judging from your graph, Frosty Lady, you not only lost weight and centimeters, but have successfully kept it off! So that's great!

The only way I can rationalize this whole process to ensure that the weight stays off, is to accept that my daily diet and exercise regime are part of a new lifestyle that will not change.

Thank you so much for the good wishes.