Here is a very typical email I get from someone trying to lose weight on a starvation diet. They think they are eating well but have no idea how close their bodies are to starving and that it’s actually the reason they can’t seem to lose any weight.
Hi, I am a 24 yr old student trying to lose weight, I ran across an article of yours on line and thought it was wonderfully direct and to the point (thank you, those are so rare). So I decided to send you an email, I never do this, so I’m not really sure exactly what info you need (or if this is even the right way to go about this) but here it goes:
Goals:
Nothing crazy drastic, I’m not in terrible shape, I’ve been trying to shave off the most stubborn ten lbs ever. Nothing seems to be happening.
This is what I’ve been doing for the last 3 months:
Exercise:
I go rock climbing 5 days a week and run about 1 mile 3-4 days a week. Until recently, I’ve been doing the elliptical trainer, instead of running, for a solid thirty minutes 3-4 days a week because I’ve been getting terrible shin splints from running (any good tips for shin splints would be greatly appreciated as well). Also, I walk everywhere; I live 5 mins from campus, and 5 mins from grocery store, so i pretty much never drive (i think the last time i turned on the car was about 3 weeks ago) I agree, when i work out i want it to be a struggle, meaning when I’m done i want to feel like i accomplished something, i dont want it to be easy(probably why i like climbing so much)
Diet:
OK, now, what i eat is the same everyday (i know, how boring…but its what i have time for and can afford), in a salad: 3.5oz if spinach, 6.0oz of broccoli, 5.0oz of cauliflower, 3.5oz of celery, 3.5oz of carrots, and one of the following three: 3.5oz of bell peppers, 3.5 oz of squash, or 3.5oz of cucumber. All of this is mixed up with about 1-2cans(depending on funds) of solid white albacore tuna in water. No dressing, just a cap full of vinegar as dressing(when needed)
Snacks: 1 banana and 1 cup of strawberries a day.
H20 intake is not quite a gal, but pretty close, probably about 20oz short, i drink a cup of coffee in the morning, and three shots of espresso at lunch time.
In addition to this it is probably worth mentioning that I’m an ADD kid, and require medication which (naturally) is a stimulant. And I’ve noticed that towards the end of the day, when it starts to wear off i start to crave sugar, anything with sugar. For this reason, i don’t keep sweet stuff around the apt. But am thinking that maybe this is a sign that it is affecting my metabolism in some strange way.
Again, I’ve never done this and maybe I’m giving the wrong info, or just way off base with what I’ve come to believe are good food/exercise choices.
Thanks for your time, and any info you might be able to pass on
“Fitness Tips Reader”
Answer From Ray Burton:
This is totally an easy one. You are starving yourself and your body cannot get any leaner because if it lets go of the last few pounds it will have nothing to survive off if you didnt eat at all for a bit. You need to eat more!
Here, this will help:
http://www.buildingbodies.ca/Nutrition/Calculate_your_daily_calories.shtml
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