Expert: Kim Farmer - 9/27/2009

Question
Hi, I am 13 years old. I weigh about 60kg. I am about 160cm tall. I am not a muscular person.

1.Recently I have started skipping for weight loss. I was wondering how long I should skip for and how many times a week a should do that to lose around 0,7kg-1kg per week.
2.I was also wondering that if I lose 8kg-10kg will I still have a prominent pear-shaped figure?
3. And, if I lose that amount of weight will I become shorter?
4. If I lose that amount of weight, how will it effect my metabolism (like will I still have to do the same amount of exercise or will eating healthily be enough)?
5. Are my goals realistic?
6. Is skipping the best way to do it?

Thanks - answer A.S.A.P please

Answer
Hi Nella-
Skipping is a great aerobic exercise, please keep up the good work!  For most people, regular aerobic exercise for about 30-40 minutes most days of the week in combination with a nutritious diet is a great way to start to lose weight (about 1-2 lbs/week).  Did someone tell you that you need to lose weight?  Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is only 23 which is normal.  Nevertheless, to answer your next question, you may be stuck with your body type (pear shaped) since this is oftentimes genetic, although with weight loss, you will be smaller overall.  You will not become shorter with weight loss, at your age, you are still growing.  

Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories which is very dependent on your weight and your exercise regimen.  The more you weigh, the more calories you will burn at rest assuming all other things equal.  In order to maintain the weight you lose, I would recommend that you continue exercising at least 4 days a week and continue to make healthy food choices.

Your goals (losing 1-2 pounds a week) are realistic and skipping is only one way to achieve the weight loss with cardiovascular exercise.  You could also try running, walking, bike riding, hiking, aerobics, jumping rope, swimming, etc.  Whatever physical activity that you enjoy doing would lend itself to your weight loss assuming you are doing it often enough and a level that is intense enough.

Thanks for the question(s), I hope this helps.


Kim Farmer
ACE Certified Personal Trainer
ACE Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist
www.milehighfitness.com