Ali

I exercise regularly, both cardio and strength training through a mixture of different sports. This ranges from gym sessions to swimming, kickboxing and the occasional run. Every time I work out, I aim to build up a good sweat and have to finish feeling like I've done something, otherwise what's the point?? My diet has remained consistent - small, regular meals or snacks, including 3x calcium portions per day, 5x fruit and veg and a good mix of carbs and protein.

I want to make it clear at this point, I am not concerned about my weight. In fact, the only time I make it below 10.5st is when I'm really ill, even when I was a UK size 8. I exercise because I enjoy the way it makes me feel and I like to know I can run up the stairs if I need to without dying.

Four years ago, I was a competitive athlete, training twice a day, five days a week. My body fat was 18.9%. Definitely low for the average person, but about right for what I was doing.

Shortly after that point, I had major surgery on my spine. Although I had to stop competing and cut back a little, I still remained fairly active and, although my body fat increased to 22%, it was healthy and didn't bother me in the slightest. I had reduced my calorie intake to a relative level.

Following an accident and two further lots of surgery two years ago, I've gradually built up my exercise again and, over the last 6 months have really nailed my training. I work out 5-8 times per week, with rest days as appropriate. My body doesn't feel overly tired.

At the moment, I have managed to get my VO2 score back up to around where it was prior to my back surgery (52.8) and my muscles are as strong as they were at that point too. I feel great! I have bags of energy.

So what's my problem? My body fat has continued to creep up. Despite getting my fitness levels back, having a balanced diet and regular and varied exercise, it has reached 28% and I cannot get it to reduce. For the first time in my adult life, I'm having to buy larger clothes because the increase in muscle and lack of fat loss means mine are getting rather tight!

I used to feel like I fully understood my body and used to easily know how and when to push it, what affected my body fat and muscle training etc and, to a point, I still have that, but I am totally stumped about this body fat thing.

Anyone got any ideas? I am a 32 year-old female.

I do NOT do fad diets or quick fixes. If you can't put the hard work in, how can you feel proud of what you've achieved?

Just wondering, with the heat and all. Think I've clocked up about 4 litres today without thinking about it!

No, alcohol doesn't count.............

OK, I wanted to try it.......Lots of people have commented on having a headache or feeling nauseous, just like I did for the first few days, but now that's settled down. One of my colleagues has noticed a strange body odour tho - not all the time. To him, it smells like cuppasoup. To me, it reminds me of sugar puffs, even tho I haven't eaten any. Definitely notice the the smell when I take the patch off. Am I the only one, or has anyone else come across this?