Active and Cannot Lose Weight

Q. I am a young, active female, and I am overweight. I have been an athlete my entire life, however, I have always been heavier than all my inactive peers. Because of college, I now do not participate in as many sports, but I still work out regularly, running about 20 miles per week, but I am still about 15 pounds overweight. I am very health conscious, I do not eat cookies, candy or cake, or fries foods, I eat very healthy foods, and drink lots of water. Can you please give me any advice as to what my problem could be. I need help but can't get it because everyone tell me the same advice, eat right and exercise.

A. You did not mention your body fat or your clothes size. Are you really overweight or are you comparing yourself with your friends? If you are heavier than you want to be, the only way to reduce your weight is to cut calories or change your workouts so that you are expending more than you are consuming. Do not starve yourself, eat 5 times a day or eat small amounts every 3-4 hours. Jogging 20 miles a week burns 2000 calories from exercise, so if you can reduce your food intake by about 500 calories per day less than you are consuming now, you should begin to lose weight. To really know what is happening I would suggest that you start writing down the food and amounts you eat in a daily food diary. I know from experience that it is the best way to study your personal eating habits. Believe me, I come from a family history of obesity and that is the only way I have found over the years to get a handle on my eating habits and weight. Like you I can exercise til the cows come home and I still gain weight. Even if I eat healthy! And I have a healthy appetite. Have you ordered "The Pocket Personal Trainer"? It only costs $12 plus shipping. It is a really nice little course on how to change your eating habits and daily survival tips.

Do not feel like you are spinning your wheels. Something is keeping you from reaching your fitness goals. You just have to identify what habit that is. Most people underestimate their food intake by 20-40% and overestimate the amount of exercise they do. I always start the week out with my cup of cereal and if the week is stressful, by the end of the week the cup has grown to 3 cups! It is just too easy to overeat in our society. Food is everywhere. Just think how fat we would be if we did not even try to stay healthy. I hope this helps a little. Don't give up and stay healthy. You are ahead of the game already because you exercise! Something the majority of Americans do not do.

I hope this helped.  Please contact me for further information or if you have another question!