The most common weight loss questions I get asked

There is so much information out there about weight loss. People have made it so complicated! To get results, you just need to go back to the basics. Here are the most common questions I get asked…

I exercise but why am I not losing weight?

As you would already know, weight loss happens when you burn off more energy than you put in. You could be exercising 7 days a week but if there isn’t an energy imbalance, you will not lose weight. This also means you can’t eat more because you did some exercise… because that would even out your energy balance so your weight will just stay the same.

Think of going to the dentist. The dentist can do some beautiful work on your teeth but if you're not looking after them, your teeth will rot! Exercise will help burn energy and speed up your metabolism… but it’s what you do outside of your training session that determines your results.

Is intermittent fasting good for weight loss?

As mentioned above, weight loss comes from an energy imbalance (a calorie deficit). There are different methods and diets that can help you achieve a calorie deficit without counting calories. Intermittent fasting is designed to make you eat less in a smaller time window. However, if you eat in a smaller window but aren’t in a calorie deficit, you will not lose weight! 

Some individuals say that intermittent fasting works well for them, whereas others find it a struggle. If you can sustain it and enjoy it, go for it. Otherwise if it’s making you miserable, we need to look at something more realistic.

How often do I need to exercise?

There is no magic number, you just need to find what works for you. Any exercise is better than no exercise! Work what you can into your lifestyle.

To lose 1kg of fat, you need to burn 7,700 calories. Let’s say you split that up into burning 1,100 calories per day to lose 1kg in a week. That means you would have to exercise to burn 1,100 calories daily! To give you an idea of how unrealistic this is, I personally burn around 400 calories during a one hour run. I’d have to run for over two hours 7 days a week just to lose one kilo! This is why nutrition is so important when it comes to weight loss, it’s easier to adjust calories from food than it is to do ridiculous amounts of cardio. This isn’t saying don’t do any exercise, it’s just to show you that you can’t always rely on exercise alone to lose weight.

How do I remove belly fat?

Like the rest of your body, losing fat from your midsection comes down to consuming less calories than what you burn. Most of us will hold more fat around our stomach, it's normal - so don’t be too hard on yourself.

You would already know that you can’t choose to lose fat from just one area of your body. No amount of crunches or sit ups will remove fat from your stomach. For most of us, the fat around our midsection will be the last to go. This is because our bodies are programmed to store more fat around there to protect our organs

I’m eating healthy but still not losing weight?

Again, energy balance! The reason why many people will suggest to eat healthy to lose weight is because a lot of healthy foods are lower in calories. Eating healthy will also ensure that you’re getting all the good stuff your body needs to function properly. That being said, if you’re not in a calorie deficit, you will not lose weight regardless of how 'healthy' your diet is. A wise thing to do is consult a professional who can create a plan that is healthy but doesn't cut out your favourite treats or sacrifice your social life.