gardendiva

Hi Lisetica,
Your post could just as well have been written by me, because I feel like I am in exactly the same place as you. I am 47 years old, and have always been thin until I hit my mid-30s. I started putting on weight after quitting smoking. Running, weight training, yoga, swimming…all of these things helped to keep it from getting out of control totally, but my weight has been creeping up a few pounds a year for the last 10 years. I started doing bikram in July, and try to go 3-4 times a week, but I am not seeing any weight loss, or even any change in how my clothes fit. I eat healthy: whole grains, fresh fruits/vegs, lean meat for the most part, but do have a glass of wine several times a week which isn’t the best, I know. The one thing I have noticed is that I am getting stronger. I am able to do the poses with more control, my form is getting better, and I am able to hold the more difficult ones longer. My hope is that increased strength will translate to a better muscle vs. fat ratio in my body. Most of my weight is centered right around my middle, so I feel like I have love handles and a “doughy” stomach, which makes some of the poses harder to do because the “inner tube” gets in the way. I am hoping that continued practice will calm down my appetite and boost my metabolism. I am working on drinking more water and less wine and diet soda, which I know is also pretty bad. I just wanted to chime in and let you know that you are not alone, and to hang in there. I am pulling for you.