Am I on the right weight loss track?
Dear Donovan,
I want to start a weight loss programme but I need some advice about healthier meal plans. I am 21 years old and 5 ft 7 inches tall. I am currently overweight as I weigh 170 pounds. I wish to lose around 20 pounds. In the past two weeks I have decided to cut out fast foods, ice cream and sweets from my diet as these unhealthy foods were the source of my weight gain. Also, on a daily basis, I would have porridge for breakfast, then a heavy lunch that consisted of either rice and peas with the meat kind being either fried or baked chicken, fish, mutton or pork. Then in the evenings I would eat a heavy dinner that consisted of either ground provisions and dumplings or white rice with either of the mentioned meat kinds above. In the past two weeks I have started eating fruits for breakfast, chicken or fish salads or soup and a patty for lunch. In the evenings I will eat something light like cereal or have more fruits. I also try to exercise at least four times per week by doing the 30-minute abdominal workout by Jillian Michaels, since most of the weight that I want to lose is in my midsection. I haven’t lost any weight as yet, but it’s just two weeks so I’m wondering if I’m on the right track.
I am very happy to hear that you have decided to lose some weight. Excess weight is particularly dangerous especially when most of it is in the stomach region. In your case extra caution must be taken for you to keep the stomach down, especially if you have a family history of diabetes.
That aside, based on the changes that you mentioned you have made in the last two weeks I am surprised that you have not lost any weight. However, there are some factors that can prevent persons from losing weight. Such factors can include thyroid gland trouble and taking medication, especially those with steroids. Without doing a thyroid gland activity test it would be difficult to tell.
My suggestion to you now as a first start is to do another two weeks of your weight loss programme. In a general way you should get weight loss if you create a calorie-food deficit. This is usually done by making sure the input calories are fewer than the output calories. In essence, what you want to do is to force the body to use up some of the reserved fat. For the next two weeks I am going to suggest that you have two to three types of fruit for breakfast. In addition, you could incorporate eight to 12 ounces of green juice as a morning snack. If you use meat and salad dressings on your lunch and dinner, you can reduce the portion by a half. Also, drink more water instead of juices.
Drinking sufficient water is also important to keep you hydrated and also keep you filled. With regards to your exercise routines, I would suggest that you do more cardio type exercises instead of muscle-building type exercises. After doing all that you can, if you still do not get any weight loss, I would suggest you check with your doctor.
