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Q. Hi Fitz! I'm 38 years old, and have been trying to lose about 40 pounds for what seems like 40 years! I watch what I eat and exercise a bunch, but can't seem to lose a pound. What am I doing wrong? Bill

A. Hello Mr. Bill, I'm so happy you wrote. You're not the only one out there who truly feels stuck at a weight you're not happy with. That feeling is both frustrating and rampant. Having said that, I believe I know what's preventing you from losing that weight. In my book, 80% of weight loss comes as a result of our consumption habits. You're probably just underestimating the amount of calories you're consuming.

Lots of people tell me that they eat "pretty well," but are astonished by the truth when I ask them to make me a comprehensive food journal. And when I say "comprehensive." I mean ... they have to write down every single thing that crosses their lips. Jelly, creamer in the coffee, mint from the coworkers candy bowl ... everything! It's then that I can sit down with people and do the real math on how many calories each person is consuming.

Although nutritious eating is a multi-faceted subject, weight loss is not. The equation for weight loss is: burn more calories than you consume. Period. For example Bill, if you were stranded at sea with no food for three days and did not exercise ... would you lose weight? Hell yeah you would! Probably a few pounds of real fat and a few temporary pounds of water weight. as well.

This is what I recommend you do.

• Multiply your present weight by ten, and you'll get an approximate estimate of how many calories you burn each day. (This is not an exact number, but a rough estimate to work with).
• Add exercise to increase this number.
• Create a journal in which you will detail exactly what you consume each day. Read labels and measure your portions accurately to suit serving sizes.
• Aim to burn between 100 and 1,000 more calories a day than you consume. (For example: If you consume 2,000 calories each day, aim to burn 2,100 or 3,000 each day.)
• Measure your progress with a scale at least once a week. The scale is an unbiased measuring tool. Use it!

Because of this generations exaggerated portion sizes, and mindless snacking of things we "forget to count", most folks underestimate their caloric intake dramatically. This is a meal to meal, day to day issue. Read labels, use your journal, and if you choose to go high-tech try out the BodyBugg by Apex Fitness. It's a great tool which calculates the calories you burn and offers a program to help you calculate the calories you consume as well. Kind of like a computerized personal trainer.

Get to work Bill! Turn your body into a furnace and those 40 pounds will incinerate.

Read this article on calorie underestimation.

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