11 - Losing Fat over 40
By David Grisaffi, CHEK
Corrective Exercise Kinesiologist
Question: I'm over 40 and I follow a good diet consisting of bran cereal with banana for breakfast, an apple for my mid-morning snack, a low-fat meat sandwich with a fruit cup for lunch, and pasta for dinner. I think I'm eating healthy, but I'm not losing any fat. What's wrong?
Answer: Trying to lose fat with diet alone is not the ideal approach. I would suggest without a doubt exercise to complete your nutrition. I have never seen people who rely on diet alone be successful in the long term. You will get better results with a combination of diet and exercise, including strength training for the entire body, and additional abdominal exercise http://www.flattenyourabs.net for more information on ab training.
As you get older, your metabolic rate slows down, and you will lose muscle tissue with inactivity. If your caloric intake is too low-even if you choose healthy foods-it can accelerate muscle loss. The less muscle you carry, the fewer calories you will burn.
In addition to a sound diet and my abdominal exercises, I suggest a good strength training program at least 3 times per week for 30 minutes, coupled this with cardio work and nutrition and you have the triple win!
Another possible reason you're not getting results is that most of the calories in the sample menu you listed come from simple and starchy carbohydrates (sugar). Simple sugar causes insulin to rise and fall,(see past articles) leading to stubborn fat gain. Keep away from high fructose corn syrup and artificial sugars such as Equal (aspartame) they mess with your metabolism and liver function like no other substances. GET RID OF THEM ALL TOGTHER!
Although the carbohydrates you've chosen are mostly from natural sources, I recommend increasing your intake of fibrous carbohydrates. Fibrous carbohydrates include leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, asparagus, green beans, mushrooms, cauliflower, peppers, and salad veggies. These types of carbs are low in caloric density and high in fiber-great for fat loss programs. Continue to include natural starches in the form of whole wheat, whole grain products, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal. Balance these starchy carbs with lean protein sources such as eggs and egg whites, turkey, chicken, fish, and lean red meat (preferably organic grass-fed beef).
I also suggest you supplement your food intake with a couple of items for weight loss and follow these simple but useful suggestions below.
1. Use as much organic foods as possible. If you can not get organic, get fresh and wash it with produce wash like biokleen. If you got another step buy only organic produce without skins. Then eat regular oranges, cantaloupe, grapefruit etc.
2. Water intake is a must. Use filtered water as fluoride the last time I looked with a harsh chemical. Stay clean of bottled water in plastic.
3. Don't eat past 7 PM. This makes to much sense not to do, but many fail at it.
4. Add Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil to your diet. Have two teaspoons a day one in the morning and one in late after noon. You will be amazed at what happens. (If you do this e mail me and let me know your thoughts - david@flattenyourabs.net)
5 Eat breakfast every day to prevent blood sugar ups and downs which cause - OVER EATING!
Hope this helps till next week
About The Author
David Grisaffi majored in physical education and is a certified high performance exercise kinesiologist with the prestigious CHEK institute. David holds a total of 6 certifications, he is a high school wrestling and baseball coach as well as an independent trainer and strength coach, known especially for his work with professional boxers and golfers. David is the author of Firm And Flatten Your Abs an online best seller which teaches you how to lose body fat and develop "six pack abs' while improving strength, function and athletic power at the same time. You can contact David or learn more about his programs at www.FlattenYourAbs.net