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Forgive me; this will probably be rather lengthy.

I recently lost massive amounts of weight (as in, just over 100 pounds). I did it partially through exercise, and partially due to extreme restriction of food intake, to the point of being unhealthy. I realise this is a problem.

I've always carried weight around my middle, and I still seem to be doing so. When I tip my head forward, I can easily feel the bumps of my spine, yet I still have a rather floppy stomach (and, as far as that goes, arms). So, first of all--is this even fat? I can't tell if it's fat or excess skin. Perhaps it's a stupid question, but I have no idea.

Second, if it is fat--any recommendations? I realise spot training just doesn't work. Is there anything that would, or am I doomed to be flabby? If I managed to improve my calorie intake (I'm currently hovering between 575 and 650--substantially up from my sub-400, but still too low I realise) and maintain exercise, will this solve the problem of fat?

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do. I'm to the point where the part of me that wants to be healthy is slowly overcoming the part of me that just wants to lose weight and not eat, and it's that side of me that has me curious.

Suggestions? Comments?

If it has any impact, I'm 20 years old, and female. I've been overweight or obese for the majority of my life, but when I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, my weight spiraled to well over 200 pounds (I'm 5'4" and now weigh around 120lbs). Due to chronic illness, I still have difficulty with exercise; I often go for fifteen to twenty minute walks, and I can also manage outings on many days (such as to the mall), but beyond that, I'm very restricted in my exercise and energy.

Thank you; it's very much appreciated.

Well it's great that you realized the problem and lost a lot of weight. You had a good attitude, but just kinda went about it the wrong way. Everybody carries weight in their middle, it's just how we are built. In regards to the floppy skin, whether it is excess skin or fat; you are going to need to eat much better to try and undo the damage. 600 calories a day is nowhere near enough to sustain your body's energy needs. More like 1500 calories mainly coming from fresh whole foods with 3 or 4 30-45 minute exercise sessions a week; walking is fine. Slow and steady, start out taking it easy and see how you progress.

Sorry this is so long, but I need to explain:

When I was pregnant, I felt so exhausted and fatigued all the time basically for no reason. (I guess it was just from being pregnant, I don't know, but I was pretty tired. All the time.) Also, I was put on bed rest for the last month due to increasing blood pressure. (I have always had normal blood pressure, if this is important.)

Now that he is 4 months old, I don't feel as I did through out the pregnancy, but I feel like I can't keep myself in gear to do much of anything that is productive anymore, and I hate being this way. I don't know if being so tired, as well as a month of bed rest, during pregnancy has caused a drop in my metabolism, or what.

I am overweight, so I certainly don't need to be feeling this way. And feeling this way is all so new to me and rather bothersome, because before I got pregnant, I was quite the busy-body; I liked to be moving around and doing something. I just feel so lazy, and I hate it. I wasn't a lazy person before.

So now, my question to you is, what should I do to resolve this? Not only do I want to have more energy to enjoy my life and get my dishes done (LOL), but I would also like to drop some of this weight. I just don't seem to have the stamina at this point to do my laundry, let alone start a good exercise regimen. What should I do?

If it helps, I was overweight before I got pregnant, I only gained 16 pounds throughout the pregnancy (I was shocked because I always craved sweets in the last trimester), and I lost 31 after he was born. Now, however, I have gained back 10. I'm still below the weight I started at, but I'm slowly climbing back up to it.

I try to eat healthy, but sometimes I can't afford to buy a lot of health foods, because my husband is a meat and tater guy, so I have to buy what he likes to eat or I'll feel bad (and he is losing weight, the little punk, LOL).

So any help you can give will be greatly appreciated! If you need any more information, you know who I am. ;)

-Brandi

Brandi,

Post natal conditions can be pretty discouraging and difficult to overcome, but do keep in mind that physiologically you are made to deliver and recover from child birth. There can also be mental irregularities which accounts for cases of post natal depression.

Your body has gone through a lot of changes and will continue as you become older and you are feeling the mental and physical stress from it. Be confident that you can change your current condition if you empower yourself and set a goal. Most people with fitness don't set goals and when they do, it's fairly unreasonable. Start with your mental state- get into a positive mindframe that you are going to be productive and overcome this obstacle. Keep in mind also about your smoking habit and be prepared for a slower metabolism if you quit or adjust to this condition if you have already quit.

As far as not being able to afford healthy meals, the good news is that it is cheaper to eat healthy than it is to eat unhealthy. All it takes is chicken, fish, beef, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain breads, oatmeal, some peanut butter and dairy such as low fat milk and eggs. Making meals in advance, such as grilling 10 chicken breasts on Sunday night and making a big pot of whole wheat pasta and filling 5 separate Tupperware containers with this gives you lunch for a whole work week for less than 10 dollars. Tuna (The Ultimate Nutritional Advantage) with fat free mayonnaise or salsa and rice is a great meal, also extremely cheap. See what I am getting at? Start out slow- get breakfast down first and when you get consistent with it, move onto lunch and so on. Big thing- EAT BREAKFAST lol. Remember also that different carbs have different values on what's called the GI or Glyemic Index; slower digesting carbs such as oatmeal and pasta are best eaten earlier in the day while fast digesting carbs such as rice are best eaten later in the day. This combination of slow/fast at the right times will also help prevent you from overeating late in the day.

Now what can you do for exercise? It doesn't have to be complex Pilates and an hour on a treadmill. Start out slow, why not try a little walk around the neighborhood after dinner a few nights a week? Watch the sunset, burn some cals while rocking out to some 80's tunes :-P

Try it out, baby steps and don't get discouraged if things don't happen immediately. Stay consistent and keep that good mindframe and you'll be just fine.

i know your not suppost to eat before you go to sleep but at times i just want a tiny bedtime snack. what are the best foods to eat before bed?

Low fat cottage cheese, some tuna, a little bit of low fat milk, just avoid excess sugars and breads.

Okay, I've heard from several sources that you're supposed to have the equivalent to your body weight in grams of protein.
Is this right?
But then, should someone who's 300 pounds eat 300 grams of protein? That seems a little ridiculous.
Is it possible to overdo it?
I thought I understood this whole thing, but apparently not. How do you measure how much protein you need?
I'm 19/f, and I'm trying to get leaner and more toned. I weigh about 125, and I do work out pretty much daily.
I have a question in the pool, but I wanted to hear from you specifically.
Thanks in advance.

That kind of protein consumption is commonly mistaken for the right kind- which is 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of LEAN bodyweight, not just overall bodyweight so it is very easy to overdo protein consumption. It is my belief that even this is too much. We as humans are basically water and protein and I believe that if you're getting a decent amount of protein each day from dairy and meat- it's very very hard to become deficient of protein. For your goal/bodyweight I would keep it between 50-100 grams a day since you're not a hardcore bodybuilder looking for size and strength lol.

my dad got a new scale, ever since i've been goin nuts over it. i weigh myself daily
i'll always weigh myself and if it's higer than i like i'll go running and weigh myself again
it got to the point where i got really sick from dehydration because i knew drinking water would make the scale say i weigh at least a pound more

my mom is freaking out because i keep on getting sick but when im not weighing myself or exercising all i do is think about it, i get fidgety and anxious. at least when i weigh myself it goes off my mind for a while

what should i do? is this just curiousity or something bad?

16/f

That's not curiousity- that's obsession. Weight is just a number, and a very deceptive number at that so don't take it too serious.

So you know- drinking water doesn't really make you gain weight- its when you don't drink water that your body retains fluids.

16/f

I know a girl, and she can honestly lick her elbow. She`s shown me and other people how easily she can do it. I`ve always heard this is impossible, should she enter record books or is it somewhat common?

Haha, thanks for the advice! =)

They also said it was impossible to get a man on the moon by the end of the 1960's. I would hold off on calling the Guinness book.

I can squat around 350, bench 200, and clean 130ish. I'm 5 6, 130 pounds, 16 years old, and around 10-14% body fat. I have 13 inch arms and tiny legs. I was wondering if it's normal to be that strong for my size and if you have any tips for gaining mass.

I eat about 3k calories a day, milk and cereal for breakfast, small sandwhich for lunch, and whatever I can get my hands on during dinner(which happens to be a lot). I used to drink muscle milk and why protein but they don't really work for me beacuse they make my bowels feel funny. Got any tips for gaining mass?

Oh yeah, and any tips for getting rid of the layer of fat on my stomach?

A true clean squat of 350 for someone who weighs 130 with tiny legs and 13 inch arms sounds a little suspect but good for you anyway. I find it hard to believe you're getting 3k calories in from a bowl of cereal, a sandwich and some other 2300 calorie meal at dinner. I think you're kind of over estimating ;-)

When you want to gain size and strength you have to eat a lot (not cereal and sandwiches- real wholesome food) and train heavy on the big compound lifts- the chins, squats, deadlifts, military press, barbell row, etc.

There's no special tricks or gimmicks or Muscle Milk miracles- just heavy training, good eating hard work and discipline.

P.S

If you're trying to gain mass; you can't also be trying to reduce fat at the same time...unfortunately we aren't hybrids and it's one or the other.

I just want to get big i am a running back for my football team. I lift all the time everyday in school but nothing seames to work what should i do?

This is the problem with football players. All they do is Hang Cleans and Bench Pressing for power and "Squats" that only go down about 3 inches. Then people wonder why football players are often hurt- there's no development of real core foundational muscle, just a bunch of kids screwing around seeing who can bench more.

Running backs derive their power from their legs and you may bench 330, but if you can't squat (Real squats, not football-esque squats) at least twice your bodyweight for comfortable reps then you are seriously out of proportion in strength.

Now, what should you do?
Focus on real power training without isolation exercise. Stop doing all the different waste of time types of bicep curls and DB presses and tricep pushdowns and all of that crap and focus on the big boys- squats, chins, deadlifts, clean and press, barbell rows. THAT is how you get big and strong- not by just exercising only the muscles you can see in a gym mirror with isolation movements and achieving a stupid palm tree look.

Is it allowed? There is no information on the DMV website, and I need something in writing. I did call DMV and a woman told me I was allowed. I took her name down but I need something in writing so my parents will relax and let me go out of state. I could try calling again and asking for that woman and having her send me a fax saying that I have permission to go out of state but I want to know what the formal rule is. Does anyone know?

You are subject to the VTL of the state that you're driving in. So just because you have a license in NJ, doesn't mean you meet the requirements to drive everywhere. I don't know what you mean by NJ provisional license really- whether it's a junior license or a temporary license while you await your actual state issued one, but hopefully it's the latter for your sake if you plan on driving here.

In NY for example (city and state) you cannot have a license at 16, only a permit and the only way you can have a Class D license (Full license) at 17 is with Driver's Ed- otherwise you have to wait until you're 18, so if you have NJ's equivalent of a NYS Class D full license and you're at least 17 then you should be alright. If you have a junior license, don't even try and drive here because you aren't allowed to- not even those with a NYS junior license can drive in NYC and only at limited times with restrictions in NYS.

Bottom line- wait until you have NJ's equivalent of a full driver's license and not just a provisional.

NYS Junior license law is for NYS drivers under 18 and those with out of state licenses (you are both). It's basically the same thing in NYS- With a limited use Junior license (before the 6 month mark of your 18th birthday) you can only drive in NYS for specific purposes at specific times (doctor's appointments, work, school, etc.) once you are within 6 months of your 18th birthday you are issued a full DJ license which allows you to drive 5am-9pm in areas of NYS with the no more than 2 people under 21 passenger restriction. So if you just turned 17 or aren't within 6 months of your 18th birthday, I wouldn't drive in NY.

Hey guys,

I am 16 years old, and I will be 17 in about a months time. So, I can get a license this summer. It is a ridiculous to ask my parents to buy me a car, and there is no way I can save up to buy a car either.
So I am deciding to buy a motorcycle. The thing is, there is NO WAY that my mom would ever let me go buy a motorcycle if I tell her ahead of time. So I plan to save up on my own and just buy the motorcycle w/o asking her first. What do you guys think of this?
Also, I would appreciate any advice on how I can convince my parents to let me keep the bike once I buy it.

Good idea.

Allow me to interrupt the fantasy if I may.

I hope you understand that you're going to need to get a separate motorcycle operator license, being that you cannot drive a motorcycle with a regular driver's license and if you have a motorcycle license, you cannot operate a car with that license. What are you going to do in the winter when it snows? What about on a really rainy day? You're going to pay the costs to get both licenses? If it's NY you plan on doing this in, you're looking at a hefty bill.

I don't know if you understand registration and insurance and just how much it is going to cost to insure a new 17 year old driver on a motorcycle, but that's a lot of $$$$$$ It's not just "O ok I bought the bike I am going to tear it up out there" and FORGET ABOUT the cost of your insurance if you get cited for a moving violation on that bike (and cops are always looking for people doing wrong things on bikes).

Now, I know its a boy toy thing but it's just not the right time my man. You're an insane liability to insurance being a new driver and maybe- just maybe you can think of it through your parent's perspective that it is crazy enough driving out there in a car with the amount of accidents and DWI related deaths that you don't have a chance on a bike instead of saying "Me Me Me Me".

okay to start out im 14. im about 5' 2'' and 97 lbs. i have been working out a lot lately...i have swim practice 6 days a week, i run 2.5 miles every other day, and i bike ride about 3 miles every sunday. i have been doing this for about 2 and a half weeks now and i havent lost any weight at all..will i ever?

You're 14, you're 97 lbs- why you want to lose anymore I don't understand but just because something doesn't happen in 2 and a half weeks doesn't mean it'll never happen. It isn't the end of the world.

I'm a teenage girl, and I'm pretty active I guess because I work out a lot (but when i'm not exercising i'm just sitting) and I'm a ballerina and I take other dance classes, and i'm amazingly careful about what/how much I eat and I examine every calorie I consume.

I eat between 1200-1700 cals per day (but usually around 1350, 1700 would be unusual) but everyone else my age goes way above that, and they don't watch what they eat and they don't even KNOW what calories are! And they are sticks.

I'm about 20 pounds overweight, but I used to be obese (like 45 over) and recently I didn't watch what I ate for 4 days- just 4 DAYS and I gained 5 pounds.

My anorexic friend and I were at the beach together (she doesn't even work out) and I just ate what I wanted, but she was eating more than I was, and she didn't gain anything.

Why is it that I'm the only person in the world who has to be extremely careful about calories/what i eat???

and why am i fat? Is it just that I have a crappy metabolism that only burns like 1 calorie per day? I even drink green tea which is supposed to boost it!

Reality check time:

-You're not everyone else
-You're not the only person in the world with a slow metabolism
-Your obsession is a bit ridiculous

If you keep comparing yourself to everyone else then you will never be happy. Stop counting every single calorie, accept what you see in the mirror and if you can't then take a practical; not obsessive approach to change whatever it is you want to change.

Besides- worrying causes you to retain fluid :-P

so im having a doctors appt soon and my mjom asked me when id like to have it, and i did marijuana last week
they like pee test us, and can they see the drugs? i heard that marijuana stays in your body for like a week
and also if she asks me iive ever done drugs, what shoul i say, becuase i know that she cant tell anyone by federal law, bu then again, drugs are illegal

Maybe you should have thought about that before you smoked the herb.

Welcome to the world of taking responsibility.

i need some serious pumpy songs. like things that make you get pumped. I need as many as you know for a basketball camp i'm going to in a few days. ANYTHING will be greattttt.

Eye of the Tiger, Hearts on Fire and Gonna Fly Now are timeless.

i was just wondering, when working out, what is the best time to do it??? like during the day... ? i want to lose weigh, so when would it be more beneficial.. and how often??
thanks!
=)

Morning definitely. Your body has burned off most if not all of whatever carbs you had before you went to sleep and is going to turn to fat for an energy source until you get more carbs in you. That's why it's best to work out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Is taking L-arginine for too much insulin dangerous.I have been reading about it on the internet but there is too much to read annd there are so many terms I have to look up.This bodybuildinng supplement of nitric oxide could either increase insulin sensitivity or kill the pancreatic beta cells.I don't know which.Is this dangerous? Would you advise taking it if is the only option?

Personally, I've used Nitric Oxide supplements with no ill effects at all. The idea of the nitric oxide is that it dilates the veins and opens up more pathways to and from the heart, pumping in new fresh oxygenated blood into the muscle and flushing out lactic acid waste in a more effective manner. This kind of effect that the supplement companies try and sell you with the Nitric Oxide (We call them NO supps), so I have heard; can be duplicated with 5g of L-Arginine and a 8-12 oz glass of orange juice.

Taking too many of anything whether it be amino acids or weight loss supplements, whatever it is; especially when it deals with insulin levels is not a good thing. If you are having insulin problems then you should see a doctor and get the OK before starting your own supplement schedule.

how do you lower your entire body's total fat percentage in order slim down your tummy?

Lots of hard work and dedication. Accept no substitutes.

This is for only people who are in the medical field or people who are experts on herbs, and supplements.

I (a female, 52 years old) have always been thin and have always had a fast metabolism and still do. Here are the dosages of the things I started taking a few months ago:

Kelp: 1 tablet three times a day (150mcg each tablet)
Alfalfa -1 tablet two or three times a day (500 mgs for each tablet)
Garlic - 1 tablet once in awhile (400 mgs each tablet)
Chromium Picolinate - maybe 1 tablet twice a week (200 mcgs)

And I noticed I lost weight which I do not and never wanted to do. However, how do I determine what is a good amount to take to keep my metabolism working efficiently. You see I know as one ages their metabolism can slow down and I dont want mine to. Thanks for all your help in advance

Chromium Picolinate was a breakthrough miracle supp about 10 years ago, but recent research has proved it to be pretty much a waste of time to take (That's why it's so cheap now) So I always tell people to not waste their time using it. Alfalfa a lot of people swear by to reduce cholesterol and glucose, but there really hasn't been a whole lot of credible research done on it and with kelp you're getting a high amount of iodine that is really unnecessary because of the development of so much iodized food- especially in America, but it can potentially help with your thyroid. Garlic I feel is ok for people to take.

Your metabolism is going to slow down eventually no matter what you do, will these supplements help? Sure, but you're really just delaying the inevitable. The best anti-aging "pill" there is, is just plain old exercise and good eating.

14/f 5'2 126 lbs, size 5

I want to get down to a size 3 in 4 weeks. I need help on dieting and excercize. So tell me what to do. Dont tell me to skip junk food and blah blah. Tell me exactly what I need to do. I need a plan that will let me have chocolate everyday. I eat dinner with my parents so fixing my dinner isnt possible. I am also a vegetarian. My problem area is my thighs so help please

Tell you exactly what you need to do?

To start, you can get real. God forbid you would have to actually work at it with diet and exercise. I promise that no diet that allows you to eat chocolate everyday is going to get you any real results.

hi. do you know any good excersises that will help me get a four pack? I'm 39inches right now, and I want to loose all my extra fat off me and work towards that. Can you give me a good work out plan that is easy to stick with? im 150lbs and 54.5 inches tall, if that helps.
can you also possibly help me work towards a good eating plan to help me with this? i overeat a lot, and can't seem to stick with diets. i did once, but then i messed up and i'm trying to get back on track again. I just became vegetarian a few days ago, but i know enough on how to get enough protein and stuff. I just need to know how to get a variety.
Thank you for your help. Sorry if that was confusing.

If you can't stick with a diet, becoming vegetarian is not the answer; that kind of plan takes rigid discipline.

Discipline has really got to be in your personality, sure you can develop it from exercise and trying to eat right but for it to be most effectively you really need to have it before you start the healthy lifestyle.

I know you would love for me to tell you that there is some magic way I can tell you to do it, but it's all really up to you and from how you asked me this; I don't think you feel very confident in your abilities. There's no sense in committing to something like this if you have no confidence because it's not a hobby or something you do to get ready for summer; it's a lifestyle.

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