What else can I do?

Question
I have just recently decided to do something about the extra 25 lbs that I have been carrying around.
I am 27 years old, 5'4" and weigh 150 lbs.
I eat very well, and I count my calories.
Today, for example, I ate a bowl of All Bran with 1% milk, with a piece of melon, then for lunch I had a bowl of soup with a little piece of cheddar cheese, for a snack I ate an apple with some natural peanut butter. For dinner, I ate grilled salmon, a bit of brown rice, some green beans and a mixed baby green salad. For a snack tonight I'll be having some hummus with cucumber and green peppers.
That is a typical day for me.  Sometimes I'll have a cookie or something else unhealthy, but I do track my calories carefully. I am staying within 1400 per day.
I exercise on my elliptical on most days for 30 to 45 minutes, and I have little free weights (2lb and 5 lb) that I use about twice a week. I don't know a good program for the weights though.
Should I be adding more resistance to my routine?

Answer
Hi Julie,

With figures you have provided, you require about 80g of protein a day- that is the equivalent of nearly 3 chicken breasts. Your resting metabolic rate is about 1000, which is low, so will always find it difficult to burn the fat.

Your first step is to raise the metabolic rate by having a balanced protein meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tracking calories can easily lead you down the wrong track- as you have just discovered! It about understanding what the calories are made up from.

If you do not have time to prepare a balanced meal every day then I personally use the nutrition/protein shakes. They are perfectly balanced nutrition with the correct amount of protein personalised for you. You can see more about them at my site.

Exercise is always good and my recommendation is to definitely increase the weights. Doing less reps with more weight will increase your fat burn for longer.

Hope this has helped to point you in the right direction.

All the best.

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