During college I gained the freshman 15, the sophomore 30, and then some. The summer before my senior year I finally got my act together and lost a good amount of weight. 8 years later and I found myself weighing more (234lbs) than I ever have before. I've managed to lose 21lbs since April by limiting my daily calorie intake to 1200 calories/day (I sit for 8 hours at a desk job) and 24g of sugar/day. I also take some yoga and Zumba classes 2 to 3 times a week depending on schedule. This seems to have worked. I think I'm hitting a plateau though and was wondering what the best course of action would be going forward? I'm not looking to be skinny; I've never really been and don't think that is in my genetic stars; however I would like to get back to a healthy weight and look good. I turn 30 in late October and would love to be less than 200lbs. Any advice?
Thanks,
Fab at 30
Great work so far on losing 21 pounds, which is no easy feat. But I understand how you are feeling now and a 1200 calorie a day diet must be hard to maintain, right?
This is my suggestion: to increase your intensity. Zumba and yoga are great but you need to get your metabolism fired up and start to really challenge yourself in your workouts. Because you will be working harder you are going to need to increase your calories as well, adding another snack into your day (think lean protein, chopped vegetables and hummus or maybe leftovers from your dinner the night before). Since you are on a very restricted calorie diet you do not have any room for anything extra like sugary drinks (or blended coffees, pop, sparking juices, sports drinks, alcohol) and you need to drink as much water as you can. Cut your portion sizes down, but eat more frequently as your portions should be no larger than the palm of your hand (for each food group, not for the entire meal). Cut back on the amount of fruit that you eat (replace your fruit with vegetables as fruit is FULL of sugar) and do not eat anything after 8pm. And try adding things like Hemp Hearts or fish oils to your day to make sure you are getting all of the Omega Fatty Acids that your body needs, which help promote healthy weight.
For your workouts, you need to add at least 1 more day, possibly 2. You are probably thinking you do not have time to do that but when we are working towards achieving a goal, sacrifices must be made. Maybe it is less television, or getting up 30 minutes earlier but you need to make the time for yourself to get yourself moving. Replace the Zumba classes with an indoor cycling classes (cardio is key right now, you should be doing it at least 5 times a week) and get in 3 days a week of strength training, the type that makes you hurt the next morning. There are lots of at home routines you can do that I have posted on Laineygossip so take a look back and add the workouts to your day. Click here to read them. Keep the yoga though, it will keep you balanced and focused.
My last piece of advice is taking it day by day. You are on a long road and the weight did not come on quickly so it is not going to come off quickly. Trust that you are on the path to get to your destination and just keep moving forward. If you slip off the path, don’t fret, simply get back on and start moving forward again. Believe that you can do it, believe that you want it and do not let anything stand in your way of achieving it.
Attached - Lindsay Price after what looks like an intense workout.
