Ask An Expert: Tommy, I'm active, but I still have problem areas. Please help!
Q: My name is Krystina and I'm 15 years old. I currently do cheerleading twice a week for roughly 5 hours a week, but I'm also enrolled in Jiu-jitsu (martial arts) which I do 2-3 times a week for about 4-6 hours per week. But also my school offers dance, which I am also currently taking through school, an hour per day. Overall I workout for approximately 14 hours per week. But I still have fat around my stomach area which I am most concerned about. I have lost some weight around my stomach area but for me it's not enough. My boyfriend has told me I don't need to lose weight, I just need to tone up. I almost quit cheerleading this year because we have to wear the crop tops, and the skirts which will show my mid section, which I am most self conscious about. I was just wondering if you have any suggestions or comments for me. I would appreciate any criticism and comments that you could give me.
A: Hello Krystina, thanks for your question. For a 15 year old, you are very busy; Just the way it is supposed to be. As your training hours add up you need to make sure that you are fuelling the machine (you), because you want your body burning calories as efficiently as possible. You sound like the type of person who is always on the go, grabbing “food” whenever you can; If you are then your problem is likely poor nutrition. Increased activity levels require increased energy expenditure, meaning that you will have to properly fuel your system with food every 2-3 hours.
Your body is likely holding onto those stubborn pounds because it is not being fed enough causing your metabolism to crawl instead of sprint. Check out a registered dietician (Maria Thomas at Urban Nutrition) for more detailed information on setting up a meal plan that will work for your activity levels.
Once you have attacked the nutrition issue you should consider adding a day or two of resistance training in your weekly routine. You didn’t mention it, but it is also an important factor in shedding pounds and transforming softer muscles into harder more toned ones. For you that may mean cutting out an hour in one of your other activities or adjusting what you do when you are in the gym.
It’s not about working harder, it’s about working smarter. It is simpler then it may sound, it just takes a little planning, a fierce determination and little positive changes on a daily basis. I think your boyfriend is right; you are only 15 so enjoy your teenage years and try new activities and exercises.
Getting and staying in shape should be fun, so make it fun for you, I would assume that is why you do many of the things that you do. Putting pressure on yourself is not going to help; positive reinforcement is always successful if you believe in it.
Stay the course and you will get yourself there.
Good luck,
Play safe and have fun,
Tommy Europe
Written by: Tommy Europe, host of The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp and Bulging Brides
http://www.tommyeurope.tv/
Do you have a quesiton for our experts? Email askanexpert@slice.ca now!