Ask Madelyn Fernstrom

I am 42 years old. My workouts consist of 5 days of cardio (45-60 min), 2 days of strength plus cardio/strength combo. I follow WW points.

It seems that my scale is either staying the same 122 lbs (5'4") or less but my pants are getting more snug.  How can this be?  Is my body changing? Is my weight being distributed differently as I get older?  I am so baffled and very frustrated. 

Hopefully someone can shed some light on this. 

Hi! You'd be amazed how common your problem really is - doing everything right, but your pants are snug! First, congrats on your mental focus, and ability to stay on track with both eating and exercise. Even staying the same weight takes a lot of effort - just "not gaining" is success, as you're avoiding "weight creep" so often seen in anyone over the age of 35. You don't say what kind of cardio or weights you're doing, but some people gain more muscle mass in the lower body - particularly the thighs (where there are several large muscle groups). As a general rule, if you're doing a lot of lunges, and squats for leg strength with weights , you might want to rethink that set of exercises. Also, for the cardio - the step machine sometimes "bulks" up the lower body for many women - and you might want to consider the elliptical or bike, or the treadmill in the mix. For the most personalized opinion, I'd suggest having one or two sessions with a trainer or exercise physiologist to review your current plan, and learn how to tweak what you're doing to tone without too much muscle buildup. Your aim, it sounds like, is to be proportioned. Keep up the good work - you're doing great. Let me know how you are doing!

Health Journal with Dr. Fernstrom!

Hi there!

You are me! I am 44, 5'3, weigh 120, and workout 4-5 times a week for 45 min. The mid-section of my body is taking over!!! I am frustrated as I always had a flat well toned tummy, even after three children. Now it is a daily battle, and I am losing! I have added the AB lounge into my workout. For the other part, I either walk briskly outside or on the treadmill. It is difficult and extremely annoying....good luck, and let me know what works for you...the AB lounge is definitely helping.

Thanks for "weighing in" on this! Great advice. That spot exercising - more attention on the abs - really does help. It's so different for women who have never had the abs as a "problem" area. For those with years of abs issues, this comes more naturally.

One easy thing that REALLY helps - that you can do all day long - is stand up straight. Good posture forces you to hold in your abs, and "works" them without special exercise. Try it whether you're sitting or standing. Most of us have a tendency to slump around, particularly when sitting. That's my new go-to abs-er-cizer.

Other thoughts? When it comes to abs, we need ALL the advice we can get!

Health Journal with Dr. Fernstrom!