I was so happy to see that many of you took me up on my offer and asked me some very valid and interesting questions about fitness and weight loss.

Today I want to share with you the answer to Jan’s question as there were quite a few of you with similar questions and the answer to this one will help all of you… no matter whether you are a man or a woman – this is a great question and the answer will most certainly shed a lot of light for all of you.

Here is Jan’s question:

Jan: Hi Vanessa,

I’m a 38 year old guy and I’ve had a lifelong problem of having extra weight around my midsection.  The only way I can seem to get rid of it is by going on a very low calorie diet, like 1,200 calories per day.  However, I can’t sustain such a low calorie diet because it leaves me too weak to exercise and I also need energy to make it through my normal work day.

I normally eat around 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day, which gives me enough energy to make it through the day and to also exercise.  But at this caloric level, I can’t get rid of the weight around my midsection.  And my exercise routine consists of running and lifting weights four days per week.

I just seem to store the fat around my stomach area and can’t seem to get rid of it.  Do you have any suggestions or tips on how I can “trick” my body into getting rid of the extra weight?  My legs, arms, and shoulder areas are lean and muscular, but the flabby gut never seems to go away.  Any advice you could give me would be much appreciated. Jan

Vanessa: Jan, 1200 calories is definitely not enough for you and eating that little will definitely leave you with no energy and has potential to slow down your metabolism to a snail’s pace.

I suggest that instead of working on a daily calorie amount, let us calculate a weekly calorie amount and that way you can customize the amount of calories consumed on a daily basis based on the workload for that day.

For Example: You say you work out 4 days per week, so on those four days, make sure you eat between 2100 and 2400 calories and on the days when you are not working out, eat between 1500 and 1800 calories. That way you will always have enough energy to work out but you will still keep your calorie count for the week low enough to actually lose some of the fat around your waist.

If you do the math… at an average of 2100 calories 4 x per week and 1500 the other three days you are consuming 12 900 calories per week, whereas when you eat let’s say an average of 2200 calories a day that comes to 15 400 calories per week.

In other words you are still eating 2500 less calories per week and at the same time you are not letting your body settle into a routine so it keeps burning the calories.

I do not have details on your workouts but I would suggest that in stead of just running at a steady pace, add some interval training to your workouts twice a week by doing Hill sprints. Another way to incorporate very effective interval training to your workouts is by training with Kettlebells.

I have a great Kettlebell workout available on a two DVD set. It gives you everything you need to make huge gains. Strength wise, cardiovascularly as well as help you singe that fat off your body! Be prepared to get into shape really fast with kettlebells, even the UFC fighters train with Kettlebells these days. It is a tough workout, but Man… you’ll see the results fast!

I hope that helps you Jan.  You can play around with the amounts of calories you want to consume daily and come to a weekly amount. As long as you keep the weekly amount the same, you can tailor make every day’s eating schedule so it suits you best.

Ladies – the same goes for you… this will help you get rid of that excess fat around your hips and thighs while still allowing you to eat enough on the days you want to work out so you can still get the most out of your workouts. And try my Kettlebell workout.

Only ten minutes a day is already an amazing workout. You’ll see what I mean once you try it!

Kind regards

Vanessa Bader

P.S. Make sure to check out my Hot Burning Body Workouts. The best way to achieve fast and effective weight loss is to watch your calorie intake and plan it carefully as well as continue to work out! Sorry, there are no short cuts… but this is definitely the shortest and most effective way.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have with regards to fitness, exercise and weight loss and I will answer you to the best of my ability!  Let me help you reach your goals!  My biggest wish is for you to be happy and healthy!