That's Fit

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 one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

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.

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. Hey Fitz. Yesterday I did two classes in a row - Cardio sculpt and Extreme training, which are both really tough. Two days before that I ran three miles to the gym, did a class and ran three miles home. For the first time in a long time I did not enjoy the exercise one bit. I have been exercising regularly for a long time now - usually I love it. I have been practicing good nutrition habits with the occasional sweet tooth fix, drinking lots of water and STILL the number on the scale is staying the same. I feel like I am on the verge of burning out. I can't seem to lose the flab around my tummy - particularly under my belly button and backs of my thighs, no matter what I do. Plus, short of starving myself and getting very cranky, I don't know how to actually lose the weight. Funny how a number on a machine, the scale, can be so vital to my state of mind. It's ridiculous, really. PLEASE - do you have any advice? Cindy

A. Whoa there Cindy! You need a break! Sounds odd for me to say this, but put your sneakers away and sit the heck down! Fitness is not supposed to make us insane, fitness is supposed to help us maintain our sanity. You are burnt out to the max, and need to just let it go for a while. I'm not suggesting forever, but take at least a week off. I know what you're going through. You already have an elite fitness level, but particular parts of your body are just not responding the way you want them to. You have incredibly high standards for your body. That often leads to frustration. Especially when you're 'starving' and running a million miles a week!

I know that we all have the best of intentions when we're attempting to stick with a healthy eating plan but obviously it's impossible to be perfect all the time. There are always going to be days when you want to eat or drink someting that doesn't fit into your diet. The key is not to give up altogether on those days by continuing to eat unhealthy food.

What's the best way to make up for a bit of overindulgence? This piece is pretty useful as it gives suggestions for what else to eat on days when you've fallen off the wagon. For example, if in a rush you choose to have a greasy, fast food meal for lunch, the article suggests making up for it at dinner by eating a big salad topped with chicken (to keep you full), beans (they're full of fibre) and oil and vinegar for dressing (low in sodium unlike the burger and fries at lunch).

Or, if you've used up much of your daily caloric intake at breakfast with a high-cal muffin and full-fat latte, for lunch you should try a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with lots of veggies. It's low fat and the the fibre in the bread and vegetables will make up for the lack of fibre in the muffin and latte.

It's best to remember that one little slip isn't an excuse to ruin your healthy eating plan for the rest of the day as well. For more suggestions, check out the article in full.

Having been an avid dieter for years (before I discovered that a lifestyle change was really the answer to weight loss), I can attest to caloric restriction as an answer to weight loss.

It's not the easiest answer, as irritability and hungry feelings come along with the ride for many of us. But it does work, and when you combine that outlook with exercise, keeping the pounds off for the longer term really does work, according to a review of many clinical trials on the subject.

Keeping lost weight off for four years (or more) was found most effective when the diet approach involved cutting calories (as opposed to just exercise). The results did not change with or without exercise. In a sense, food gives your body the fuel it needs, while exercise keeps the repair man (or woman) away.

I've read and read about the daily ritual of caloric restriction and have been fascinated by what I read. In the case of many people with an ultra-conscious habit about monitoring what they eat, the reduction of calories (but not nutrients) is supposed to be a ticket to a longer life.

A new study confirms that, and scientists say they now know what caloric reduction prolongs lives. The conclusion: that the link between food restriction and longevity may stem from being a molecular response to the stress from cutting back calories.

In effect, the stress from cutting back on calories preserves cellular function in our cells, which gives us the enhanced ability to fight off age-related diseases. Who knew stress could be so useful?