Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Britney Spears and Losing the Belly Fat

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Greetings Fitz. So far I've lost 25 lbs and have a few more to go to get rid of that annoying belly fat. I'm training for a duathlon. I bike one to two hours a day, run for 30 minutes or so every other day, and workout every other day (different day than running). I'm 155 pounds, 68" and eat about 2,000 calories a day (I keep track in a spreadsheet). So let's say I burn 900 calories/hr biking, 300 calories/half hour running, and some more doing other workout stuff. Is it okay that I only take in 2,000 calories a day? Should I take in more, less, etc? I eat 5-6 small meals a day and am feeling great, but I just want to maximize my effectiveness for fat loss. Thanks, Ryan

A. Wow Ryan! Sounds like you've turned your life all the way around. Going from 180 to 155 is not an easy task, and your exercise routine is really athletic. I'm inspired! The reason your 'belly fat' is taking longer to go away, is because you're nearing your goal weight. It's easy to lose five pounds quickly when you have 35 to lose. When you are nearing true leanness the pounds take a little longer to lose.

2,000 calories a day is not starving in anyone's book. In fact...it's quite enough calories to fill up almost anyone. I'm really not concerned that your body may be in 'starvation mode', especially since you didn't even mention feeling hungry. You are burning a ton of calories it's true, but you shouldn't need to add calories to lose weight. Accept that this process will take time. You're striving to look like an athlete and that is a lofty goal. Not a silly goal.......just a really high one.

Have patience, keep doing what you're doing, and add some intense ab training to your routine. I recommend push-ups, roman-chair leg lifts, and crunches on a stability ball or BOSU. Do this at least every other day. Keep me posted Ryan. Send before and after pictures when you get to your point B. We're all dying to see your new abs! Fitz

Q. Hi Fitz. The world is bashing Britney Spears' body after her performance at the Video Music Awards and now I feel like garbage about mine. I'm no where near as trim as she is. Does she really look that bad? If so......I'm screwed! Is there hope for the non-perfect people? Angelina

Yeesh Angelina! What the heck is going on in our world? When Britney Spears is considered fat, things have truly become screwy. In fact, I don't think anyone at all legitimately thinks the girl is fat, large, obese, etc... No way! I think some people just want to be mean to her, so her lack of the physical perfection she used to be famous for makes her an easy target. Especially when it's compounded by all of the other Britney drama in the news.

Britney has set the bar incredibly high for herself. Her abs have been one of the most famous celebrity body parts for almost a decade. She's just not holding up that standard any more. She still looks gorgeous, and if she were to walk down the street in a short dress.....most men would drool. She's just less spectacular right now. Comparing her to her former self.......she's quite a bit heavier. Fat is just the stupid term less thoughtful folks are using to say that. Can you imagine having two babies one year apart, achieving her present shape, and then being mocked for it? Not in the real world.

Don't feel hopeless, and certainly don't compare yourself to Britney Spears. Not much surrounding the former Princess of Pop is normal or rational. Strive to be the best you. Focus on being considerate, educated, reliable, kind, ambitious, and fit. Take care of that body of yours, but don't obsess over it. You are not your thighs!

Punches & Kicks,