ATD: How Can I Lose Stomach Fat?
Question:
I am trying to lose some weight, especially around my abdomen. My plan is to eat fish, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and drink a lot of water. I also plan to jog twice a day. How much weight could I lose in a month? Fifi
Answer:
Dear Fifi,
It sounds like your plan is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with lean protein, and wholesome produce choices for vitamins, minerals and fiber (especially if you include whole grains and low-fat dairy products as well). I’m also guessing this is a big change for you and, if so, you may be a little bit overly-optimistic at this point. Making many changes in your diet and exercise program at one time is often a difficult regimen to maintain.
Your goal is a healthy one, but if it is only for the purpose of losing belly fat it won’t be of much good once the weight is off. People tend to lapse back into their usual eating habits and gain the weight back once they’ve reached their goal or tired of all the strength and willpower it takes to adhere to the ideal healthy lifestyle.
My suggestion would be taking these goals gradually: For instance, this week make it a point to include one more fruit and one more vegetable each day than you usually consume; resolve to go jogging once a day on four days this week; and drink two or three more glasses of water than you usually do if you are not currently drinking enough. Keep a log during the week of how you do with these goals on a daily basis.
Next week, sit down again with your goal journal and examine how things went. If you were able to achieve these lofty feats, bump it up a notch and try jogging twice a day for three or four days in the coming week, as well as adding another fruit, vegetable, or glass of water on each day. If some of your ideals were not achieved, take a look at new strategies that may help (purchasing fresh fruit and vegetables at the store and cutting them up for easy access as soon as you get home; keeping a schedule for drinking a glass of water at least every three hours, or laying out your jogging clothes before you go to bed at night).
Ultimately, eating the way you have described is likely to keep you at a healthy weight for life, instead of only for as long as you can keep up the struggle with many new habit changes at one time. Don’t despair if it is difficult at first Remember that every step you can make towards your goal will be one step better to a healthy diet and a healthy weight and will certainly pay off in the long run.
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Written by Laurie Beebe
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About The Author: Laurie Beebe has been a registered dietitian for 25 years and is certified in adult weight management. Laurie currently serves as a Related posts:
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