| Q: Can I lose weight with a thyroid disease? This disease causes weight gain, but if I exercise, will it work? |
| A: Absolutely! Your thyroid is one element of weight loss, but burning calories through exercise and eating healthier calories will definitely help you lose weight. Exercise helps speed up the metabolism — even yours — to make a difference in your overall weight. Plus, muscle tone is always good for fighting the aging process. There are a million reasons to get healthier by eating right and exercising regularly — such great benefits!
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| Q: Should a person who is very overweight — for example, 50 pounds — make more dramatic changes or take different actions than someone who has less to lose? |
| A: Well, everyone should try to lose about 2 pounds a week to keep the weight off. We all need to keep the calories down and our exercise up! We can do this by eating 1,400 calories and exercising 30 minutes a day, regardless of how much we weigh. It'll take a little longer at 2 pounds or so a week, but it'll be worth it in the long run! Just be patient and don't give up!
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| Q: Do you think losing 1 pound a week is a reasonable goal for someone who hasn't dieted or worked out in a while? |
| A: Yes! One pound is good, and with exercise you can lose up to 2 pounds a week! But honestly, my diet plan isn't a strict diet; rather, it's an eating plan for life. Just keep that in mind when working out and eating well! |
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| Q: I have a potbelly. Is it possible to just lose fat from my middle? |
| A: Not really. When you lose body fat, you lose it from all over your body. That being said, you can do toning exercises (such as crunches) to tighten that tummy, which will make it appear thinner. And since it's a little easier to lose fat from your abdominal area than places like your thighs and hips, you may find that your belly is the first thing to shrink when you lose flab! The main thing is to be patient and keep exercising! |
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| Q: How does menopause impact weight gain? |
| A: After menopause your body begins to store fat like a man — in your abdomen, rather than in your thighs, buttocks, and hips — thanks to a drop in a type of estrogen called estradiol. On the bright side, since these abdominal fat cells are smaller and less resistant to releasing their cargo, it's easier to lose extra tummy fat! Still, many women actually gain weight after menopause. Part of this is because during menopause you maintain levels of another type of estrogen called estrone, which slows your metabolism and encourages fat storage. Many women also lose muscle mass, which also decreases your metabolism.
But don't throw your hands up in despair! There's good news, too: You don't have to gain fat after menopause! A simple 15-minute muscle-building routine done five days a week can reverse this muscle loss, and my Fit Forever! program will help boost your metabolism permanently! |
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| Q: I've been on the program for three weeks and I've gained 2 pounds. How is this possible? What am I doing wrong? |
| A: Be patient, it will come off! Remember that weight fluctuates up to 4 pounds for a woman during a month. Also, muscles weigh more than fat, but they take up less space. This is why you can lose dress sizes without seeing the scale move. Keep working at it and have faith—the weight will decrease in time. Meanwhile, you're getting fit and healthier, which is great! |
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| Q: My doctor says I can't do exercises that raise my heart rate because of heart problems. Can I still lose weight? |
| A: Yes! You can - by watching your calorie intake on my Eat Right eating plan in Fit Forever! But, can you print out some stretching exercises to show your doctor? Stretching should be good for you. It improves the circulation. Exercise is one of the best ways to fight heart disease, so ask your doctor if you can walk and stretch. |
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| Q: After doing your program for three weeks, I have lost an inch around my waist but no weight. Is this normal? |
| A: Yes, it's very normal, and it's great news! You're losing inches, and dress sizes, and the weight/pounds will come off soon. It really is great news! And one of the reasons it's happening this way is because you're toning up, and muscle takes up less space than fat, so you're reshaping your body, which is wonderful. But keep it up, and you'll see pounds come off, too! |
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| Q: Denise, I have been doing the Shrink Your Female Fat Zones for a week now. About how long before I should start seeing results? |
| A:It usually takes about three weeks. You should see some results in the first two weeks in terms of how you feel, but by week-three you should see visible results-hopefully, inches lost! |
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| Q: Are those "lose weight" pills and diet supplements worth it? |
| A:Such supplements are marketed with great promises, but the claims they make are not always based on valid studies or accurate data. Unfortunately, many diet supplements are not mandated by the FDA, so neither the effectiveness of the drugs nor the truth to their claims has been evaluated at the government level. There are, of course, some great products out there that do not have to go under the FDA's scrutiny, but generally speaking, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. There is one phrase to remember when buying nonprescription diet aids and supplements: buyer beware. The best way to ensure weight loss and overall good health (including keeping your unwanted weight off) is to exercise, eat right, and cultivate a positive attitude. |
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| Q: How often should I check my weight?
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| A: I am a big believer in checking the scale once a week. If you're a woman, you flex your weight about 4 pounds every month, so it's best to weigh yourself every Sunday or Monday morning before you put on your clothes. |
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| Q: I've been working out for a month and have seen changes in my muscles and a 5-pound weight loss, but now I've reached a plateau. Do you have any suggestions to help keep the progress moving? |
| A: Yes! Change your workout routine! If you can add five more minutes of exercise any three days a week, the extra time will jump-start your metabolism. Variety is always good. It surprises your muscles, so they won't get too adapted to a regular routine. Mix it up! |
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| Q: What's the best workout video to start with, considering that I'm 55 and need to lose about 50 pounds? |
| A: There are two totally different 20-minute fat-burning workouts featured in the "Blast Away 10 Pounds" video, my favorite aerobics video for beginners. For toning, my new "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones" video is great for firming and stretching. Give them a try! You can do it! |
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| Q: How many miles should I walk a day to lose 2 pounds per week if I am eating right? |
| A: If you walk two to three miles three or four times each week at a fast pace, you should soon see some fantastic results! |
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| Q: I know a lot of people who have lost weight by cutting out carbohydrates. Is this a good way to trim down? |
| A: Absolutely not. Carbohydrates provide your body with energy. You need them to fuel your workouts and all your other daily activities. That being said, it isn't a bad idea to cut back on simple carbohydrates, such as white bread, crackers, and frozen yogurt—these foods tend to be low in nutrients and high in sugar. Stick with complex carbs, like oatmeal, whole-grain bread, high-fiber cereals, and fresh fruit, which provide essential nutrients and help keep your blood sugar on an even keel. The key is to choose your carbs wisely; never attempt to eliminate entire food groups. |
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| Q: I weighed 125 pounds before I had my first baby in 1995. I weighed 190 after I had him. I then had another baby in 1998 and weighed 200 pounds after I had her. I now weigh 225 and cannot seem to lose weight, no matter how hard I try. What can I do? Will I ever be able to lose the weight? |
| A: Don't fret! It is very possible for you to lose weight. However, it takes time, discipline, and commitment, as well as a good diet and exercise program. Start with walking! It burns fat and does wonders for your health. It's also an exercise that you can do anywhere: your neighborhood, on a treadmill at home, in a local park, at the gym, the mall, the beach, or the school track. A basic endurance walk would require you to warm up by walking slowly for five minutes, then picking up the pace and pumping your arms and using your butt muscles to power your body forward. Maintain a pace you're comfortable with for 15 to 35 minutes, and then cool down by walking slowly for five more minutes. Additionally, I recommend sticking with the Fit Forever! program. You'll be dropping dress sizes before you know it! |
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| Q: I just wanted to know how many calories do you have to burn to lose one pound? |
| A: 3,500 calories = 1 pound |
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