Dear Donovan,
I am an avid reader of the Jamaica Observer and I enjoy All Woman’s fitness articles each week. I am a woman, over 350 pounds, and I was teased last week by a colleague who read about the Heart Attack Grill Restaurant in America where persons weighing over 350 pounds eat for free. I was made a big joke of.
Deep inside I would genuinely like to shed this weight. I didn’t always weigh so much; I’m married with eight children and it was after my seventh child I think I just did not return to any normal pre-birth weight.
I know I can lose some weight; even 100 pounds would make a difference in my health and appearance. Do you have any suggestions? I am following the weight loss plan of the women in the articles but I think I lack the discipline and I at times cannot afford to eat fruits and vegetables as they are out of my budget so I would stick to what I can afford, which I think is the biggest issue for me right now.
Sorry to hear that you are being teased, however, as you have realised, it is time to do something about it. You will have to change your habits and create a healthy lifestyle which will allow you to lose weight and keep it off. The first thing to do is to try and reduce some of the foods you are taking in for each meal. If you drink soda and eat a lot of pastries, you could cut these out for a start. If you reduce some unhealthy items, the money could be used to purchase fruits and vegetables which are better for your health. I am quite aware that fruits and vegetables can be expensive, but you can cut back on the expense by eating fruits and vegetables that are in season which are usually cheaper. Also try buying from cheaper sources such as from the market in downtown Kingston, and grow some vegetables in your backyard if possible. You can get an old paint can and plant tomatoes and sweet peppers for example. In addition to this, you can introduce some light exercises such as walking, since this will help to reduce your calories so you can witness some weight loss. Use your colleague’s teasing as the motivation to lose the weight, so you can show them the best you.
I want to gain 10 pounds
Dear Donovan,
For about five years now I’ve been weighing 110 pounds and at times I might lose a few. However, I’m trying to gain 10 to 15 pounds. How can I achieve this?
In order to gain weight, you will have to increase your food/calories so that your body can store some of the extra food. Let us use an analogy, let us say that you are making $10,000 per week and all your bills amount to $10,000, it means that you would not be able to save anything. However, if your salary went up to $15,000 per week and your bills still remained the same, then saving would be possible. In a similar way, you will have to increase your saved calories in order to gain weight, however, it should be done in a healthy way — avoid junk food.
You can start by increasing your food portions and using a slightly bigger plate if possible to eat from. Try incorporating more foods such as complex carbohydrates and vegetables in your diet. In addition, you can also try to incorporate one or two glasses of shakes daily, since it’s easier to drink than to eat, and you are taking in more calories in the process. You can also start some muscle building exercises since muscles weigh more than fat and it will help to increase your weight. It might be possible that your metabolic rate is high too, although you have not said anything to suggest this is the case. If this is the case, it means you will have to eat more food to gain the weight.
We will answer your weight- related questions
Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life?
Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, Suite 16, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5.
Send your questions to wilsonn@jamaicaobserver.com.
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My 350 pound life
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