help interpreting gym results

[Smurlene]

So, today was my second monthly weigh in at Curves. I am pretty disappointed by my results, and I am hoping that some of you might helpful me figure out how to do better next time around. Here is what I found out.

I have been on SB since Jan. 2006. During that time, I have walked and done yoga consistently, then slacked off over the winter. I joined Curves on 4/14. My results from my first month:

total inches lost: 17.75
total pounds lost: 9
body fat pounds lost: 5.33

Now, I certainly did not expect that great of a loss every month, but this month was disappointing:

total inches lost: 1.5
total pounds GAINED: 1.0
body fat pounds lost: .99

My diet is almost always 100% SB P2 with 2-3 servings of grains and 1-2 servings of fruits per day. I do have two teaspoons of honey each day in my tea. I did eat pizza and brownies two days in a row last week (student end-of-the-semester parties), which have made me retain water.

I walk three miles at least four days a week (sometimes six), I workout at Curves three days a week, and I do yoga and walk to catch the bus three days a week.

What am I doing wrong? Here are some theories:

My body is catching up with the major loss last month.
I have PCOS, and given that the syndrome makes it far harder to lose weight, then that is why I am struggling.
Those pizza and brownie splurges really add up.
The stress in my life is making me retain fat.
I am building muscle.
Weight loss is neither linear nor predictable, and I should just be glad that things are going in a downward direction.

Any thoughts? Suggestions for improvement?

[LegalBeagle]

From what I've heard about Curves, I cannot imagine you actually lost 17 inches in one month from the workouts there. I bet that data is incorrect.

What do they do, tape measure you, or what? How do they calculate fat pounds lost? Using a body fat % scale or what?

[Smurlene]

Legal...They use a tape measure to measure inches, and they use a body fat calculator that you hold in your hand. Does this help?

The results did seem high to me, but I noticed a visible difference.

[LegalBeagle]

I've heard that they tape measure you loosely when you join, then do it tight after one month so you see "amazing" results and want to join for life!

I think you are doing great. No matter what you choose to do, exercise regularly and keep eating right and the weight will continue to come off. You are making wonderful progress!

[Smurlene]

Well that just ain't right, but I totally believe it. I don't trust them very much, which is why I chose to do a month-to-month and not a yearly contract. I am probably not going to stay with them much beyond summer and maybe not even that long. Thanks Legal!

[Love2paint4you]

I have to say, I used to be a member and I wasn't impressed. I didn't find Curves to be much of a challenge whatsoever.

[LegalBeagle]

I think it's good for older people, or for people just starting out exercising, but if you can walk a couple or a few miles at a time, you are probably too advanced for Curves. IMO.

I have a few friends who belong and all of them have moved to "real" gyms for more of a challenge.

[ladybugnessa]

MY personal opinion is that Curves is a great starting point for someone who was not (is not) moving.. i.e. curves is better than nothing. I went there and interviewed them.

it did not appeal to me. I don't like not being able to make my own choices about what to do when. I don't like that there are no classes and I did not like that the hours were so limited.

Meanwhile the gym i joined is full of hard bodies... I wish i had joined the other local all women's gym...

[Smurlene]

I completed agree. My biggest problem, other than not feeling challenged, is being totally bored. Oh man, it is so boring to do the same thing everyday.

I will most likely join a "real" women's gym by fall depending on what part of town I move to. I can totally appreciate the hard body thing. That is what happened the last time I joined a regular gym, and it really did make me feel uncomfortable.

[Love2paint4you]

MY personal opinion is that Curves is a great starting point for someone who was not (is not) moving.. i.e. curves is better than nothing. I went there and interviewed them.

it did not appeal to me. I don't like not being able to make my own choices about what to do when. I don't like that there are no classes and I did not like that the hours were so limited.

Meanwhile the gym i joined is full of hard bodies... I wish i had joined the other local all women's gym...

I'm SO fortunate. The gym I belong to markets itself to "regular people". There are a few hard bodies, but by far the majority of members are indeed regular people, most with a few pounds to lose. We all wear very unspectacular work out wear and nobody stands out. I love it there.

[A-Rod]

do gyms really exist anymore where everybody is ripped and clad in spandex? i thought that was a thing of the 80s.

i work out at bally and at all three locations i frequent, i'd say at LEAST half of the people are NOT hardbodies.

[Smurlene]

The gym I joined when I first got here was odd. The little cardio/weight training circuit in the very front of the gym was populated by "regular" folks, but the largest space in the gym by far was filled with nautilus and free weights, and ALL of the people I ever saw using that area were hard bodies, mostly men. Although I love nautilus equipment, I used those machine only once because I was very intimidating and actually heard two members saying things about "fat girls" fouling up their workout routine. It was a very depressing place.

And the trainers!!! Oh, what a bad experience. I have never felt quite so bad about myself than the few times I worked with a trainer. They were insulting and did not take any of my concerns seriously.

[maltby_gardner]

Even if the Curves workout is initially challenging, going in 3 times a week and doing the same exercises in the same order and for the same amount of time...well, your body is going to adapt to that pretty fast and unless it were possible to change it up somehow, you would soon stop seeing results.

I'm thinking it's better than nothing for beginners, but only just.

[Smurlene]

Paula,

What a great point!!!

And, you know, I can see how "some" women have benefited from the Curves plan, but many of the women I see regularly have said that they have lost only a few inches and maybe 10 or 15 lbs over a couple of years. I guess the inner athlete in me is screaming out for a challenge!!

[LegalBeagle]

Smurlene, sounds like you are ready to challenge yourself exercise-wise! How exciting! I can't wait to hear what you decide to do!