Hello, I am 5’7″ and weigh 244 lbs. I have been fat all my life. At 12 I reached 200 lbs at 5’4″: while my friends were barely 100. The biggest I’ve ever been was 230 and that was just because of unhealthy eating and no exercise. I had a job as a waitress, always on my feet, I started eating healthy, and doing aerobics once a day, and gradually getting up to 3 times a day over 6 months. At 20 I weighed 204 lbs, lost 40 inches and was a size 14. I was beyond happy. At 20 I also got married, and 2 months later I got pregnant. I was really depressed cause I knew I’d have to gain weight and I was VERY stressed. I ended up gaining 60 lbs, which I’m told was normal for many new moms. I had a C section and couldn’t even begin to really start exercising until all my nerves grew back 5-7 months. My daughter is now 9 months, and I am at 244. I can’t seem to lose any more weight. I eat healthy, take vitamins, the african mango and green tea diet supplements, and I go to the gym for 3-4 hours a day. I burn 1100 plus calories on the elliptical and the bike, and do some weight training. My goal weight is 150 lbs, healthy for a woman my age and height, but I’d be happy to get back down to 204. Any advice at all would be GREATLY appreciated. I know you must be busy, so thank you for letting me ask for your help. Sincerely, Ali D. [via Ask Questions]
First of all, I think you need to read the following posts: How to lose 50 pounds, How to lose 60 pounds and How to lose weight in 7 days. Second, what I am about to say might sound controversial and counterintuitive, but you are spending too much time on exercising and not enough time on finding the diet you can consistently follow over time. Four hours a day in the gym? Unless you are getting paid to be in the gym for that long, you are wasting your time and stalling your weight-loss progress.
Here is what you need to do: The only exercise I think you should do is walking. Walk every day or every other day for no more than 1 hour. As I have already mentioned, your focus should be on your diet, not exercise. Why? Because when it comes to weight loss, what you put in your body is the most important thing. What matters even more? What you do not put in your body. Sugar detox and weight loss breakfast are your friends. Simple carbohydrates found in sodas, deserts, white floor, bread, cereals, bagels, muffins, fast food, milk, dairy with added sweets, pasta, and rice are not your friends.
Do eat a lot of vegetables (preferably with every meal), protein and healthy fats (think fish oil, extra virgin olive oil, organic canola oil, and avocado oil), some fruit (berries is the best option), eggs, egg whites, any fish, and baked or boiled poultry. Side Note: if you eat protein and vegetables every day (three times a day), you do not need to count calories. Be consistent and find what works for you.