weight loss

When you find a diet that works, let me know as I too would like to tone down my stomach.

I was just like you. When I went to boarding school I was very thin, when I went back home, I was about 10 pounds heavier. all throughout high school I had a little chub on me, but I was definitely not fat, just not very skinny. I’ve always HATED working out and running and anything that will help you lose weight. Since November 2007, I’ve been going to the gym about 3-4 times a week. For four weeks I did about 60 minutes of just cardio. Then after those four weeks for two weeks I did 40 minutes of cardio and some time on the rowing machine. Now, I do 30 minute cardio (on the cross country trainer/stepper), intense upper ab exercises and I just started my lower ab exercises. Also, I’ve began to use machines that work out the muscles in your legs, to tone.

If you hate working out, the first few days/weeks will be hard no doubt. But once you get past them I guarantee you will get used to it, and your body will be able to handle it. You really really have to push yourself. Losing weight seems easier than it is. But that extra day, even an extra 20 minutes, at the gym counts.

Also, with exercise, I went on a diet. I normally never ate fruit before. I would eat only carbs such as pasta, potatoes, bread etc. Right before I started all this, I was a vegetarian so I could not even try to fill up on protein (which is great when you’re trying to lose weight, dont fill up on carbs). So to say the least, I did not eat healthy at all. Once I started working out and becoming very motivated, I started dieting. My daily diet may not sound like a lot, but I can assure you I am not anorexic. I know that this diet is actually not the healthiest but I have lost weight very fast with my exercise and this type of diet. When you start of,f I recommend that you eat more than what I’ve written, and then progressively eliminate items such as potatoes etc.

Average Diet:

Breakfast – one bowl of oatmeal, apple, milk

Lunch – Apple, Pineapple slices, watermelon slices, carrot sticks, water

Dinner- Tangerine, Apple, Vegetable soup, fish (or chicken/turkey), water

Also, remember to continuously drink lots of water throughout the day, it will definitely help you in the process. As far as snacking throughout the day, its a must. Most people think that just eating the typical three meals a day and nothing else will help them achieve their weight goals. It is actually the opposite. You should have light meals and continuously snack on healthy, low carb, low fat foods such as fruit. I usually have a few oranges/apples throughout the day. Also, a mistake that people tend to make is once they achieve their weight goal, they stop dieting/working out and then they often gain at least half the weight, if not more, back. So once you’ve lost the weight, obviously your work outs and dieting will not have to be as extreme, but it is important to keep on going. Your diet does not have to last forever, just be aware of what you eat and when you eat (i.e.-no pizza at 1 in the morning).

The effect of my diet/exercise routine:

November 2007~
Height- 5’1
Weight-113 lb.

January 2008 (present)
Height-5’1
Weight-101

12 pounds in two months. I would say my method was quite successful. Wouldn’t you? Give it a try. If you just stay motivated, it will work. Stick to the guidelines and having “just one slice of cake” can effect the routine. You can do it. I thought I couldn’t and here I am.

P.S.- yes crunches do help to flatten your stomach but ONLY after you have lost a lot of the fat your stomach beforehand. If you do not, you will just build up muscle under the fat, which will cause your stomach to stick out more. Do a month or two of cardio before starting crunches and other similar exercises.