ellebelle

Because I am a health freak (and just a freak in general), and because
I used to want to be a personal trainer, let me just
tell you that weighing scales lie!
First off, whenever anyone begins any exercise program they will
loose only water weight at first.
Secondly, always remember that muscle weighs more than fat.
If you are doing any weight training at all in your workout routine
then you will gain weight.
(other piece of advice is to not weigh yourself until at least a month into any training program)

Therefore, the reason why your pants are "shrinking" but you
are "gaining weight" is because you are losing fat
and gaining muscle. THAT IS GOOD.
Muscle should occupy your body, not fat.

The thing with the scales is that they don't measure
fat vs muscle weight.
They don't even measure your overall metabolism levels
or your resting metabolism levels (ie how fast your metabolism
is working when you are sitting down, etc).
So, just don't be alarmed that you gained 2 pounds.
As long as you haven't been eating bon-bons and shit, and
if you have been working out 3/4 times a week then you are
golden.
Be proud of yourself!

From here on out, you should be losing "fat" weight.
Also, there is a difference between losing inches and
losing pounds.
You can lose inches without losing a pound.
Losing inches is still an excellent sign, however.
That just means that you are well on your way, and
you should soon begin losing the actual poundage.

Gosh damn, I should reconsider being a personal trainer... lol
I am passionate about fitness stuff.
A couple of years ago I was also the assistant manager
at the GNC.
I learned so much from working there as far as vitamins
and health shit is concerned.
Anyway, I may not know everything, but if you need some
advice or have any questions alls you have to do is ring
my bell darlin.

Gosh, I swear you really are my soul sista, because yesterday my brother and I
went shopping at Costco, and he ended up buying a few bottles of B12.
Any of the B-vitamins are great vitamins to always take. Here are the reasons:
- they are the main vitamins that supply your body with energy
(that's why in drinks like Red Bull you will see an assload of B-vitamins in it)
- Biotin, in particular, is a great B-vit to take to promote beautiful growth in your
hair and nails.
- And, yes, B-vitamins (like B12) are essential vitamins for the production of
red blood cells (having healthy red blood cell production is critical for your bodys energy levels, as
it helps to also prevent things like anemia)

I know what you mean about the sulphuric smell because of medications.
Unfortunately, there really isn't too much else you can do about that
that you probably don't already do.
Well, maybe there is one thing: you could probably stand to take a herb called "milk thistle".
Milk thistle is essential for cleaning out your liver. The reason I suggest
milk thistle is because there is a lot of junk in the medications (well, for one, it's because they are synthetic) that is left behind in your liver and
kidneys that just accumulates. Milk thistle will help to clear that out. Lots of body
builders use MT religiously because of all the proteins and supplements they take.
"Goldenrod" is also another herb for cleaning out your kidneys, bladder and liver .

It's also important to take a good multivitamin. There are good multivitamins
and there are some that are not so okay, because
they contain a lot of synthetic crap.
So, if you choose to take a multi (which is always recommended for
everyone no matter the age), I would say go and shop at
the health food store or even try GNC's multi.
They make multi's that are for different ages as well. They are made
the same it's just that the multi's for menopausal women (and, I don't mean you
in particular ) will contain things like "dong quai root powder" and "damiana leaf
powder" to help stabalize those hormones.

It sounds like you are doing everything well.
Of course, just make sure to be eating lots of protein (lean meats) and drink
gallons of water to cleanse your system.
(and, I sound like a hypocrite here, because drinking gallons
of water is something that I have a hard time doing. I barely even drink 3 or 4 glasses a day)
Also, it's a good idea to do a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
Anaerobic exercise works wonders for pumping up your heart rate
and for building lean muscle.
Like when you are lifting weights, use light weights, but just keep doing
as many repetitions at a quick pace until you basically tire your muscle.
Then move on to the next exercise.
Basically, you just want to keep moving at all times. Circuit training is another
excellent option. They should offer some of these things at the gym you go to.

OK- I think that's all for now......... lol
Hopefully, some of that helps.

Oh- and tell Sean that I said "hello", too.