What’s this week’s weight loss question? Let’s dive straight in…
One important question is what is your BMI now? If you are already thin enough that you just need to drop the ‘last ten vanity pounds’, the way to do it (apparently) is to eat your resting burn worth of calories and exercise over the top of that in order to trick your body to let go of those pounds- and even then there’s a lag time before your body will let them go and it’s extremely difficult.
Also, you may be surprised at how many calories you actually burn in a day, or don’t. Especially if you are short or petite in build. My wife gains weight on anything more than about 1200 calories a day because her resting burn is just not very high.
*edit:
Also, just wanted to chime in and say that I agree with Bashful Bondage Bunny. Varying your calorie intake- and especially having a cheat day where you go ‘over’ (although you don’t necessarily have to have junk food, you can also go with niceties that your body isn’t used to, such as frozen yogurt, deli cheese, etc) seems to be extremely helpful to the process.
You’re not eating enough calories, so your metabolism is dropping because your body thinks you have a non-ridiculous reason (like famine) for starving. Keep that number above 1500 to keep your metabolism high.
Comment by Tiktaalik — May 9, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
A lot has to do with what type of calories. The number game never worked for me. You are probably about ready to start a summer vacation, try this, this summer. It is a healthy way to loose weight. Be dedicated to it and do it exactly.
I use this plan to slim down quick, especially the last few pounds. It is my version of several at-home diet and exercise plans I have bought, it works great if you do it exactly and do not even have one thing extra OR missing from each meal, and do the exercise as listed.
You eat the same thing everyday for every meal. It is boring and you will get tired of it after about 4 days but if you stick to it you will be glad. The main thing is to stick with it for 14 days without messing up at all or missing exercise. It takes ALOT of self discipline and denying yourself, but in the end you will see the fruit of your labor.
5 meals a day, eat every 3 hours exactly on time weather youâre hungry or not. Only water to drink, and drink a lot.
(I tried to put some details on food prep like no salt etc. But the food is supposed to be in natural form, just like God made it, nothing extra.)
Meal 1:
2 egg whites (cooked with non stick spray, no salt),
1/2 c oatmeal (no milk, butter, etc, just cooked in water or dry),
small banana (less than 6 inches)
Meal 2:
2 oz turkey breast (oven roasted from the deli, no bread),
small potato about 3 inches in diameter (cooked in micro or raw, plain, no salt)
Meal3:
2 oz chicken breast (boiled in water, no salt)
1/2 c white rice (again plain, no salt or anything)
1 c frozen mixed veggies ( boiled in water, no salt)
Meal 4:
2oz chicken breast (boiled in water, no salt),
small apple about 3 inches diameter.
Meal 5:
2oz chicken breast (boiled in water, no salt),
small potato about 3 inches in diameter (cook in micro),
1-2 cups of lettus with 1 TBS (no more than that!) of fat free Italian dressing.
Exercise:
Cardio: At a minimum you should walk very briskly for 20-45 minutes 6 days a week, light jog if you can. (You may want to start with 20 and build up to 45. It is easier to split it up in am and pm but whatever works for you.) DO NOT OVER DO IT HERE, IT WORKS AGAINST YOU!!!!! TRUST ME!
Weights: Do some weight bearing exercise 3-4 times a week. 30 minutes doing the circuit machines at a gym would be good. Just make sure you hit all muscles. If you know what you are doing in a gym, it is best to do upper, lower, day off, upper, lower, day off. (Don’t forget to walk/jog on the weight bearing days too. I usually split my jog up, for example 20 min jog, then weights, then 20 min jog. That way I am not too tired for the weights.)
It is very strict, but it works if you follow everything exactly. Also you need to make sure you have the time so you do not get frustrated with too much pressure and quit. The workout can be done in about an hour to 1.5 hours. If you prepare food in advance it can make it a lot easier too.
GOOD LUCK, email me and let me know if you use it and how it works. I have shared this with several of my friends and they swear by it, it is like melting butter. Remember, do not get too excited when you see the weight dropping off and start to push yourself harder, slow and steady is the KEY. Otherwise you will jeopardize your results. Take Care.
*edit: in response to Fed, I believe it is closer to 1200 calories. But you should definetly run any diet or program you plan to do by your parents or doctor to make sure it is safe for you.
Take care.
Comment by mindy — May 9, 2010 @ 1:15 pm
the secret to keeping your body out of starvation mode and keeping up your levels of the fat burning hormones produced by exercise is to have a cheat day. One day a week eat things like pizza and macaroni and cheese, things with carbs + fat. This keeps your body from thinking it is starving. Your cheat day may make you gain half a pound that day but then you go on to loose 2.5 lbs by the end of the week. Whereas without the cheat day you may only go on to loose half a pound by the end of the week because your fat burning hormones are low, and your metabolism is slowed.
Comment by Bashful Bondage Bunny — May 9, 2010 @ 1:49 pm