Typical Day Weight Loss 5

Question
QUESTION: I am a 34 year old female. I have had 2 kids and after the last child have been unable to lose any weight. I'm about 5"4 and approx 165-168 lbs (sorry haven't weighed myself in a while). Most of my fat is in the middle. My measurements are approx 41-37-41. I want to get to at least 150 lbs to start off or even lower. I don't really have much time to exercise but am contemplating buying either a treadmill or an elliptical machine for home (maybe you could tell me which one would be best?). I generally drink lots of water and at least 2 coffees everyday - very rarely pop or juice. My weakness however are sweets. Also, can you let me know approx how many calories I should be eating a day and maybe give me some examples as to what I should be eating for each meal? And how do I lose the belly fat? That's my main concern right now because I still can't fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes (it's been almost 2.5 years!). With the last child I did Weight Watchers online but I've tried a couple of times after the second but end up wasting my money because I don't have time to sit and add my foods to the daily journal. I'm thinking that the main thing for me is to cut down on portions,completely cut out sweets oh and stop night time snacking. What do you think?

ANSWER: Hi Sofia,
I think you can do it for sure, the most important thing is to stay motivated (be patient), weigh your self once every week and take your measurements every 4 weeks.  Treadmill and elliptical are both good, but elliptical is better for the joints and a full body workout so that is the machine I would recommend.  Belly fat will take time, but exercise will play the biggest part in reducing your waist.


In regards to food, eating 6 times a day in small meals can help to speed up your metabolism and make sure to drink 3 litres of water.

Typical weight loss day example:  
B:1 cup cereal, 3/4 cup milk, 1 fruit - Please MEASURE your cereal out.  Please have a fruit instead of fruit juice.
S. 1 more fruit, 8 almonds
L: 1/2 cup rice or pasta, 2 oz chicken (2 fingers size)
S: carrot sticks, 10 almonds, 4 plain crackers.
D: smaller than baseball (3/4 cup) potato, rice or pasta. palm size meat. as many veggies as you want.  Please no soft drinks as they hinder weight loss.
S: 3 cups popcorn and a fruit  
Remember you can eat unlimited vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cucumber etc).   

I hope this helps,
Lea

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

QUESTION: Can you suggest a couple of good cereals? crackers? and as a snack instead of fruit can i have a yogurt with the almonds? also, what is your view on coffee? i cannot survive without it? as for soft drinks, what about diet ones? last question, with veggies can i have some type of low fat dip? is bread out of the question? or can i have two slices of WW bread if eating a sandwich for lunch for example?
thanks for your help.

Answer
Any cereal that is low in salt and sugar, I like all bran, grape nuts and shredded wheat personally.  An all natural no sugar added granola is good as well (1/2 cup).  For crackers, stone wheat thins or ryevita.  You could have yogurt (less tan 120 calories), but it is also important to eat 1-2 fruit per day.  I would steer away from the dip, if you are going to have dip you'd need to eliminate the almonds which means you are replacing 'good' fats with 'bad' fats even if the calories are the same, but it's up to you.  You could have that bread at lunch, I wouldn't eat it more than once a day or even every day, maybe 5 days a week at most.
I hope this helps,
Lea

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