Ok active lowcarbers I have a question. I am fit, I have lots of toned muscles. I am almost 49 years old and I need to lose about 20 pounds. I have toyed with low carbing on and off all year. That used to work for me, not anymore.

July 9, 2011. I have went serious lowcarb, no exceptions. It isn't easy right now, I am only going to weigh weekly, on Tuesdays. So I need words of wisdom on how I can make all this work.

I know my age is against me.
I know I have good strong muscles
I do cardio several times a week, with some light resistance weights.
I am working feverishly on drinking more water. ( I was told by a reliable source that my muscles needed more water.)

help!

Try some HIIT. A lot of the low carb gurus recommend it.

I'm confused. You seem to be saying you've been BOTH LC'ing very seriously, and "on and off" - The "on and off" part makes me think that's the issue perhaps?

Well then I will explain a bit more.
I orginally started lowcarb in1999, Then I lost weight like no other. When I got to goal in a few short months I slowly introduced carbs back. I was able to maintain that weight for several years. LIfe happened and I was unable to continue strict lowcarb.

Pounds came back on and then over time I did several bouts of induction level carbs for a month at a time and the scale wouldn't budge, so I would go back to adding more carbs, cause a month and no loss isn't right when It came of so easily before.

Then I got to where I thought hmmmm, maybe I need to add more exercise. That has done nothing for me either.

The on and off refers to me lowcarbing at induction levels a month and not seeing any results despite my being strict and exercising.

I am trying it again, because my body feels better when I cut out the carbs, I do hope the scale moves because I could stand to lose 20 pounds. I am aware that age and being perimenpausal will play a roll. I would think with me teaching 4 - 6 zumba classes a week and having an active full time job would help the pounds to fall off but it isn't so.

Hm, 5-6 Zumba classes a week sounds like a cardio red flag.
That's a lot of sugar-requiring exercise in one week. I would suspect high cortisol and inflammation that never has a chance to come down (not enough low-level recovery).
Also, no chance for your body to adapt to fat burning.

You might want to check out Sisson's articles on "chronic cardio".

Not to scare you about the Zumba but there is also a cool success story for a 50-something husband and wife who have been athletic all their lives, with lots of exercise like you, who got even better with Sisson's Primal approach.

i will give the articles a look, i have a small middle, it's my butt and thighs that carry my weight

looks like it is basically atkins, from what little i can gather on the page you sent without purchasing the book.

I teach Zumba, two days a week. two regular Zumba classes on Monday, with some Zumba toning thrown in there and then on Thursday I add a Zumba gold, which is non impact and not quite as fast but a slow cardio.

I will keep researching. thanks for your input

Get your thyroid checked.

http://stopthethyroidmadness.com

That i would agree with, i haven't had it checked in a couple of years. thanks

Learing lots today, thanks

Ah, that sounds like a different issue if your middle is small.

Is Zumba movement like sprinting? that sounds like a female sprinter's build - strong thighs and butt. But I hear ya on the unwanted layer of fat over it.

You are so close that maybe it's a matter of recomposition and exercise modes as well as tweaking your diet.

Could it be that some of your extra 20 pounds is actually muscle and bone that you want to keep? It's good to weigh more in our 40s than in our 20s if we have kept muscle and bone density!!

Well I have to say, I have been doing very very strict lowcarb and the scale is moving in the right direction. I am clueless as to why it's moving now but I hate to question it too much as I may jinx the lowcarb fairy that has been flying near me.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm keeping it simple, basic food, no extras and still working out.

Enjoy the ride!!!!

WOW, from what I have heard, Muscle weighs more than fat. If you do induction and exercise at the same time, you are going to have transference of the fat cells into muscle tissue and the weight will balance out or you may even become heavier.

Try induction for 2 weeks without exercise and see if you lose weight then add exercise back in.

I can't not do exercise, I teach Zumba and I can't cancel classes now can I?