Expert: Linda Erwin, M.S. - 5/2/2005

Question
you are sooooo right, i do know the answer to my own question. BUT i NEED last year's clothes to fit the right way. every since turning 40, it has become VERY hard to lose ANY weight. i've always put on a few extra winter lbs, and always used to lose them by spring. but not this time. it's VERY frustrating to say the least. i know i can do it, i was just looking for a jumpstart. for me maintaining is MUCH easier, than losing. but thanks for your time.-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
i am 40yrs old, 5'2" 134lbs 10lbs more than NORM for me.(STUCK winter weight). leaving in 10 days for disney trip, NEED to lose weight. QUESTION...
can i almost starve myself with protein bars, shakes and salads BUT work out 5 days for 30min at 70%-80% of my target heart rate and drink tons of water and lose this weight? would settle for 5-8lbs.
thanks
Darlene
Answer -
Hi Darlene,
I think you know the answer to your question.  Why is it so important for you to lose 10 lbs so quickly and in such an unhealthy way for a trip to Disney World?  If you do what you mentioned, you will alter your metabolism for the worse.  The best thing you could do is eat healthy, get rid of high fat foods, simple carbohydrates, and sweets.  Focus on whole grains, vegetables and fruits, low fat protein and dairy.  Drink at least 8 glasses of water and work out.  The most you could lose of fat per week would be 2 lbs.  The rest would be lean body mass and water.  You want to put on lean body mass so you burn more calories at rest--weight training.
Keep your calorie count to around 1200 per day and keep your fat grams to under 30 grams per day.  Work out 4-5 times per week in an aerobic capacity:  walking, jogging, cycling, aerobic classes, kickboxing, etc.  You will see a significant difference if you stick with that.
Good luck!
Linda

Answer
Darlene,
I know it's harder to lose when you are in your 40's.  We have to work out harder and eat less as we get older.  That's why weight training is really good.  Build your lean body mass so you can eat more and maintain the weight you want when you get there.
Go have fun on your trip and walk your "buns" off.
Linda