Expert: Brian - 11/22/2006

Question
I am 20 yrs. old 275lbs right now and planning to lose weight for a trip I have in March, 3 months from now. I have a big mid section from being a couch potato; I am also an athletic guy at the same time, played a lot of sports like football and basketball, Muscular tall frame. I am looking for advice on what I should be Eating and a work out regimen. My goal weight is to be around 215, I am currently doing cardio 4 times a week and lifting weights 5 times a week.
My typical daily diet consists of Breakfast: Salad no dressing, Wheat bagel w/ low fat cream cheese, apple, banana, grapes

Lunch: Cooked chicken, salad, carrots, tuna

Snack: 4 Egg whites

Dinner: Chicken, salad, shredded cheese

I go to the gym twice a day some days. Morning lifting, after-noon cardio. Followed by a protein shake before and after and one during dinner.

I am trying to lose weight gradually and not so rapidly that I have Hanging skin in my mid-section. I would like to look muscular and cut. Not so skinny and lean. I have a 6' 1" frame and broad shoulders so trimming fat is my goal. What should my weight lifting regiman consist of. 1 hr of cardio and?. With my diet I’m on I think I am getting Insufficient protein so my days in the gym are going un-noticed. Should I take my body mass in grams in protein or should I stay in 150-200 grams of protein range.
 I am not only doing this for a short term but for the long run also. I am looking for the beach body but not really trying to go under 200lbs but I understand that might have to be done.
 I would like to thank you in advance for your time and advice. I look forward to hearing your advice. Thanks again Dennis


Answer
Dennis - I'm really not an "expert" in the area of nutritions. Go to AllExperts.com and search on "nutrition" and ask your questions of one of the nutritionists/diet experts.

For weightlifting, you could do a standard regimen (as a former athlete, I'll assume you know what that means, if not write back), but keep the rest between sets short. Doing so increases the number of calories you'll burn.

--Brian