I had a daughter 3 years ago. I gained about 60 pounds while pregnant. I dropped 40 of those pounds, but I just can’t seem to lose the last 20. Before her, I weighed 125 pounds. I now weigh around 143 pounds. I have kept this weight pretty constant over that 3 year period give or take a few pounds. I’m not gaining which is good, but how in the heck do I lose?
I have a sedentary job, so I joined a gym about a month ago. Either I need to go to the gym more or I need to find a better way of eating. I don’t eat much, so I guess it must be what I’m eating.
Also, I am on a limited budget because I am a college student. Can you help me?
Before effectively answering your question it would be beneficial to know your height in addition to your weight. If your height is between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 8 inches, 125 pounds is an acceptable weight.
Have you tried the Healthy Body Calculator®? What was your BMI (Body Mass Index) number? A value exceeding 25 indicates a potential health risk. A value of 30 or more indicates obesity-related health risks. A desirable weight for height for adults is a BMI of 20 to 25. How’s yours?
After you have determined that, hopefully, you will be able to see whether or not you are in fact overweight. It is good that you have maintained a constant weight of 143 pounds. Overweight increases your health risk.
Since itis your goal to lose weight you need to remember that combining exercise and a balanced eating plan are essential for success. A healthy guide to eating would include using the guidelines of the My Plate. According to the pyramid, you should be eating 2 to 3 servings of meat, fish, poultry, dry beans (basically proteins) a day. Keep in mind one serving of meat is 3 ounces (about the size of a deck of playing cards). It would be wise to choose meats that have lower fat content such as poultry without the skin, fish or very lean cuts of red meat. You should consume 2 to 3 servings of dairy and choose low-fat products from this group such as skim milk or plain yogurt which are good sources of calcium (you need at least 800 milligrams/day). Eat 3 to 5 servings of vegetables per day without added fat or sauce; 2 to 3 servings of fruit and finally 6 servings of bread, rice, cereals, pasta (all of which are carbohydrates). Select foods without added fat or sugar. Generally, when attempting to lose weight, one would choose the minimum amount of servings, meaning six carbohydrates instead of eleven. Overall, My Plate incorporates the foundations of a healthy, balanced eating plan.
Continue to exercise at the gym. Get at least 60 minutes of aerobic (fat burning requires oxygen) exercise that breaks a sweat 5 days a week. Some suggestions could be participating in an aerobics class, running on the treadmill, riding a bike (spinning), doing the stair climber or perhaps another activity you like. You should be working out at least 3 to 5 times during the week. It might also be helpful to lift weights as that increases metabolism while it increases your muscle size. The more times you work out the better you will feel and the more inclined you will be to lose unwanted weight. Remember to have fun and participate in the activities you enjoy. Best of luck.
