Q: I have managed to lose about 40 pounds on my own in the past 10 months, but I have hit a plateau. I’m not sure how to get my weight lower and get past this? I now weigh 180 , down from 221. I exercise about 5 days a week for about 1 1/2 hours each session. I usually walk/run 4 miles on the treadmill for an hour then work with a weight machine for about 30 minutes.
A: Your body is a fascinating machine that adapts to pressure placed upon it (exercise). Your body has probably adjusted to your current workout. You must change your workout up. Try a different type of cardio or change your weight training routine to a circuit routine and if you haven’t started making healthy changes to your diet, you will definitely need to start. You can only get so far with one change (exercise) and not the other (healthy diet choices).
Q: So I get that men lose weight more easily, but why? It’s driving me crazy that my husband givers up alcohol and loses 10 lbs, but I gain 10 lbs.
A: Weight loss is simply consuming less calories than are being burned. Men lose more weight faster because they naturally have more muscle mass. It takes more energy (calories) to feed muscle than fat therefore the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you will burn while exercising and at rest. Simply put men have the ability to create a calorie deficit easier than a female which equals faster weight loss
Q: What are some easy ways to count calories on the go?
The easiest way to count calories on the go is to download a calorie counter onto your cell phone. Most cell phones have this capability. Another option is to purchase a pocket calorie counter booklet. Most people eat the same the daily, so the best way is to look up your favorite foods and commit their calorie count to memory.
Q: If I burn off 100 calories from my daily walk, does that mean I can eat another 100?
You can eat an extra 100 calories if your goal is to maintain your present weight but if you want to lose weight you should not consume that extra 100 calories it needs to go toward the calorie deficit needed to shed the extra pounds.
Q: Is a calorie a calorie a calorie? Or does it matter that it comes from fat or protein or sugar?
Technically a calorie is a calorie; you can consume too many calories eating nutrient rich foods or nutrient poor foods. You could lose weight by eating candy bars as long as you calorie intake was less than your calorie output but you wouldn’t be healthy. You should always have in mind to make sure you are getting the nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy and fit.