Ask Alfonso: Working Out and GAINING Weight! Now What…?

Hi Alfonso,

So my question is how do you keep yourself motivated when you are getting unexpected results from your workout? Let me explain. I put on about 10 pounds over the last six months and have been wanting to lose it and tone up.

I love Bodyrock but I feel like my thighs have gotten bigger since starting. I understand its muscle but it can be discouraging when I started to change my lifestyle to fit back into my pants, not grow out if them!

I don’t want to fall off the wagon. How can I stay motivated?

Christina

Hey Christina, how are you?

I know what you mean – sometimes our best intentions don’t yield the results we’re looking for. But I have some tips and suggestions for you. Here we go.

The key to all of these kinds of issues is understanding what exercise really is – maintenance and promotion of health and fitness. The ‘results’ you speak of are all about your looks rather than how you feel. Does your current workout make you feel strong, give you energy and leave you with a sense of accomplishment? That’s what you’re really after – a better, fitter, healthier life right?

Now that said I know we ALL use exercise to change how we look. In fact it’s one of the biggest problems most people face in their programs. Too often people choose exercises to change their look over potential health improvements. So they look fit… but aren’t really fit!

I’m very familiar with Bodyrock (check out my Bodyrock review here ) and while I liked it much better when Zuzi was hosting, even the routines that Lisa performs are great for overall health and fitness improvement. So in terms of your choice of programming, you’re on track!

Unfortunately I have to tell you what you’re describing is very common in women. Many girls find that when they first start exercising they lose a bit of bodyfat and gain some muscle, which makes them think that they’re ‘bigger’. Well, sure you may be but you’re fitter, stronger, healthier and now your body is capable of much more. What’s wrong with that? I highly doubt your legs are so big that people stare at you or point at you in a crowd. We as trainees are our own worst critics are we’re trained to see our flaws over our strengths. Keep in mind that the legs are huge muscle groups and can carry quite a bit of weight. So they may respond to exercise more so than other smaller muscles.

Now if you still want to try and ‘slim’ your legs a bit here’s what I suggest. First, cut back on how much leg-work you’re doing – I didn’t say cut it all out, just back. We need to make sure that you stay functional and fit. Then when you do train legs, keep the weight (if any) very light and shoot for high reps to tap into high endurance muscle fibers. Those fibers have a lesser propensity to grow bigger than the fibers used with heavier or more explosive movements. So I’d also cut back a little on plyo jumps as these will target the fibers you’re trying to ease up on. Perhaps you can try two or three upper body exercises for every specific leg movement you perform. That said I have to be honest and say there are no guarantees that anything will change or that your legs will get smaller!

I do have to say this though Christina – I wouldn’t worry too much. I know it’s easier said than done but the way to stay motivated is simple – you KNOW you MUST exercise for a better life. You KNOW that regular exercise makes everything in your life better. Those are not arguable facts. The benefits of regular exercise literally touch nearly every facet of our lives. So as I see it, this is really just a matter of pros versus cons. And in this case the pros clearly outweigh the fact that you’d like your legs to be a bit smaller!

Learn to focus on what makes you great and happy, not what you dislike about yourself. I bet you look awesome!