A little help please..

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mark.

I'll start off with some basics, and you can ask anything else that you may need to know to help give me the best answer you can.  I'm 18, and weigh about 170-175 lbs.  I used to weigh 200 lbs last September; but then I stopped eating alltogether because relationship problems I had was depressing me, then I started running and exercising more, etc.  So within the past year I went from 200 down to as low as 167 lbs.

Anyways now; I've been talking to this girl and will be meeting her in about 3 months and 1 week or so.  So here's where my problem is.  I'm not necessarily fat, but I'm not exactly a body-builder, or weightlifter with abs either.  In other words, I'm not really fat, but I have a belly which I would like to lose some of..

That's why I'm messaging you about this, because I'd like to lose some weight/ stomach-fat in 3 months before I meet this girl.  It's not only for her, but I'd like to do it for myself as well.  

Here's some of what I like to eat/ drink, and what I can't eat.

LIKES:  I like ALL Fruits/Vegetables--> but NOT Bananas, or Cucumbers too often,  I eat cucumbers VERY rarely.  Salad, Cereal& Milk, Yogurt, Chips, Meat/Cheese Pizza, Granola Bars, Fries, Sausage, Bacon, Diet Coke, Water, Apple/Orange/Grape Juice.

DISLIKES:  Beef, Ham, Turkey, Chicken, Fish, Hamburger, Eggs, Cheese, Butter.   


As you know; it's winter right now, and I really hate the cold so I don't run any right now..  However; I "AM" willing to go outside to the park and walk the walking-trail too.  

So based on what I told you, is there anything you can help me with here?  Any daily exercise plans, eating habits/ meals, etc.  you can help with please?

I'd really like to lose some of my stomach-fat and a few pounds within 3 months; and instead of starving myself some like I considered, I figured I'd ask for help from here first.  

Please help. I would really appreciate it, and I AM willing to change my daily life-style and eating-habits.          Thanks,   -Matt-

ANSWER: Hi Matt,

Are you willing to join a gym, or have any weight lifting equipment at home? Doing some weight training will be crucial in your efforts to reduce body fat.

Besides that with your nutrition, are you currently eating breakfast?
how many times a day do you eat now?

-Mark
www.fitnessxpressu.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I WOULD be willing to join a gym, but I'm currently unemployed now and low on money.  As far as weight-lifting equipment at home, no I don't have any.  I was considering it though.  We live in a downstairs apartment, so what would you recommend?

For my dailiy eating-schedule?  I get up at about 9:45 and leave to go to school about 10:15 and eat 1 bag of 4 mini-muffins *from IGA, etc.* and a little bottle of Apple Juice.  That's my daily breakfeast.  Once I get home; sometimes I'm hungry so I eat some more muffins, or 2-3 bowls of cereal.  If none of that sounds good, I eat some chips.  About 6-7:00 I sometimes make a pizza, or some Pizza Bites and have an Apple for desert.  Sometimes I have an Apple before I go to bed, but that's about it.

I hope this was able to help you with more advice.  Ask any other questions you'd like me to answer.  
         Thanks, Matt.

Answer
Hi Matt,
Well, if you're unemployed the gym may not be your best option. You could invest in a set of adjustable dumbbells (about $40), and a stability ball ($20) and this could provide you with numerous exercises.

As for nutrition. I would begin by adjusting your breakfast. Do you like oatmeal? How about eggs? The good news is there is a lot of adjustments you can make to your nutrition that will help with your results.
I'd cut out the apple juice as the sugar from it will lock in stored body fat where it won't be fueled, and more likely to be stored as fat.

-Mark

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