would LOVE some advice! : )

Hello, I really need some advice!

I am unsure whether to stop weight training for a while or not.

I have been weight training for about 5 months now, with the help of a PT for a few sessions. I don't do 'light weights-high reps'.  Also cardio ( HIIT, jog, walk, cycle, elliptical) ATLEAST 3 times a week.

The problem is that I am not losing bodyfat. I am gaining muscle which is great, but because the fat is not shifting, it is making me look bigger and dare I say it, bulkier.

My diet is great. The only thing I could fault would be maybe not enough calories.

So what do I do? Do I focus on cardio for a while? Just drop the weights? I seem to have plenty of muscle underneath, especially my legs.

More info- I was lifting 2-3 times a week, 3-5 cardio sessions, I never do the same routine week after week.

I am 5'5, 130pounds, 26 years and a mother of two. I do also have a hormone imbalance which has made losing bodyfat very hard.

So, any suggestions???

If you're gaining muscle and not losing fat, your eating more calories than you're burning.

First, ask your PT for his/her advice on your routine.  My opinion/guess is you are eating too few calories and have your body in starvation mode. Add 100-200 calories to your diet and see if that helps.  So despite building muscle from your heavy routine, your body won't let go of the fat underneath.  You shouldn't completely stop your weight training, but doing more reps with light weight is a better method, especially if you are a woman.  Doing heavy weight with fewer reps does give you a bulky look.

Original Post by neontiger:

You shouldn't completely stop your weight training, but doing more reps with light weight is a better method, especially if you are a woman.  Doing heavy weight with fewer reps does give you a bulky look.

 Every time someone falsely claims that heavy weights make you bulky, god kills a kitten.

Original Post by neontiger:

So despite building muscle from your heavy routine, If she is undereating, she is not building muscle

your body won't let go of the fat underneath Fat lies on top of muscle. 

You shouldn't completely stop your weight training, but doing more reps with light weight is a better method, especially if you are a woman.  Doing heavy weight with fewer reps does give you a bulky look. This is a complete myth.

Original Post by nealy123:

The problem is that I am not losing bodyfat. I am gaining muscle which is great, but because the fat is not shifting, it is making me look bigger and dare I say it, bulkier.

My diet is great. The only thing I could fault would be maybe not enough calories.

 It sounds like your training is good.... but you can't out-train a bad diet.   So although you say your diet is great, maybe it needs some tweaking.  How many calories are you eating?  If you are eating more than what is required, you may in fact put on muscle & fat, giving you a bulkier look. 

If it has been 5 months, chances are that you are either eating too much... or less likely, too little.

Can you be more specific about your diet. Ie: caloric intake? This sounds more like a nutrition problem than a fitness problem.

Hi everyone and thankyou so much for your opinions.

I know it sounds wrong, but I definitely am not over eating. Possibly under eating?

Here's a quick run-down on my diet.

Monday (I do weights and HIIT, and elliptical)

B- omelette- (1 whole, I white) with spinach and sprinkle of low fat cheese.

S- post workout protein drink

L- green veges and seared chicken.

s- handful of nuts, cappachino on skim.

D- fish and salad. After dinner I might have a small protein bar.

I eat like that for another day or two, then I start adding good carbs like muesli for breakfast, a little sweet potato/pumpkin at dinner, yoghurt and fruit.

Then on Sunday I eat chocolates and give myself a little break. But I do not ever go over 2000 on that day.

I exercise all through the week with one or two days off.

I do not usually consume more than 1300 if that. I was undereating for a while (under 1000) when my marriage broke up, then I went camping and had dessert every night for a week and put on 4 kg so quickly and it was all fat. I just can't seem to make it budge.

So when I did up my calories camping, my body just stored it all away, I'm afraid of that happening again.

Thanks again for your imput!