Expert: Linda Yo - 5/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello there. I am really desperate right now. I have been trying to lose weight since last year and I've been eating 700 calories each day and exercising , about 20 minutes of jump rope a day. I am aware that 700 is not enough and will cause my metabolic rate to drop, but if i eat more than that, I will really put on weight. That is my greatest fear. How can I lose more weight by putting on weight? I hate the way I live now, I am eating the healthiest food I can for every meal but it's not paying off. I am almost reaching my goal weight and but I stopped losing weight. What should I do? Eating more than 700 calories will make me put on weight. How do I lose more?
Thank you so much, I really need help.

ANSWER: Dear Jolin,
These are my suggestions:
1. Do strength training to increase your muscle mass. Muscle tissue consumes a lot of calories, about 50 calories/pound than fat tissue, thus if you increase your muscle mass, you will have higher metabolism. I recommend Jorge Cruise's book, 7 Minutes in the morning for simple & quick exercises.
2. Consume foods that are high in fiber & resistant starch content such as brown rice & vegetable stir fry.

Best wishes,
Linda Yo
Author of Asian Slim Secrets

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again. This is a followup question on the shifting calories diet. Should I take the vegetarian diet or the non-vegetarian diet? The non-veggie diet doesnt sound very healthy to me :/

Answer
Dear Jolin,

Vegetables are rich in fiber and they are very low in calories. Vegetables are the best food for weight loss, however, a salad with high fat dressing might contain as many calories as a big hamburger. That's why vegetable stir fry and vegetable soup (that is not thickened with cream) are better alternatives.

Avoid the low carb fad diets. The American Dietetic Association issued a report about Fad Diets Throughout the Years & you can read about it here
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/media_11092_ENU_HTML.htm

In the long run, it's best to maintain a balanced diet.

Best wishes,
Linda Yo
Author of Asian Slim Secrets