Gina Jackson Personal Fitness - FAQs & Feedback

Q: In the past I've struggled with eating disorders, and have realized that the only way I can control it is to have a 'bad' day once a week. In this way I've been able to start living a healthy life.

I'm in the healthy weight range now, but my BMI is near the overweight range. I eat 2000 calories a day, and 4000 every Sunday. I walk my dog for 30minutes everyday. I also do a 15minute workout every morning, consisting of 5 minutes skipping, 5 minutes of weights, 5 minutes of the bike, and 30 sit-ups. I'm also a waitress and do lots of running around.
Will I be able to get down a few pounds with this routine, or will I put on weight?

Answer: Unfortunately, this kind of fitness/dietary/health plan will result in not only a "bad" day but a likely flabby body in the long term.

The amount of effort, time and intensity given to fitness (strength training, cardio, resistance training workouts) needs to equal or surpass the amount of calories consumed on a daily basis to result in weight loss or healthy weight management.  While we may rationalize it differently, walking the dog doesn't not constitute as a "cardio" workout - it is just that, "walking the dog." 

Five minutes of skipping and cycling is in my opinion, realistically, a "warm-up" to the 45-60 minutes of resistance training for the total body which I recommend be preceded or followed by a 30-45 minutes of cardio training.  You are simply not spending enough conscious time working on a quality fitness regimen that will help you achieve any measurable BMI adjustments.

•    Cardio Recommendations:  30 Minute Cardio Workout
•    Strength Workout:  20 Minutes To Leaner, Long Legs

•    Dietary Recommendations:

You really may need to get rid of the "Bad Day"and make every day a good day!  Reward yourself for the good days that mirror the above plan (or closer to it than your current program) with some type of treat or snack at the end of the week. Make it delicious but considerably less than the 2000 (extra) calories noted.