LA Fitness Pro Results® Master Trainer, Stone T., gives his expert advice on what a good starting point is for working out. Are you hitting the magic number? Find out with us.
Do you have a fitness question? Ask one of our certified Pro Results® trainers here! Your question may be featured in an upcoming Ask Our Trainer video.**
**Selected submissions will be featured on the LA Fitness blog and possibly other LA Fitness digital media entities & websites. By making a submission, you hereby grant LA Fitness a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable license to use and make copies of the contents of such submission for any purpose and in any medium whatsoever, and you hereby waive and relinquish any copyright or other intellectual property right you may have in the contents of such submission and your right to pursue any claim for LA Fitness’s violation of those intellectual property rights.
On this episode of ‘Ask A Trainer’ we speak with LA Fitness Pro Results® trainer Stone T. and get his expert advice on increasing stamina, and improving leg and hip strength – it’s a double question, bringing double the amount of advice.
On this episode of ‘Ask A Trainer’ we speak with LA Fitness Pro Results® trainer Stone T. and get his expert advice on exercises that are best recommended for those with knee issues.
On this episode of ‘Ask A Trainer’ we speak with LA Fitness Pro Results® trainer Stone T. and get his expert advice on whether or not heart rate training zones on fitness equipment are an accurate way to monitor your workout.
I wake up at 4 am to be at the gym by 5am, work out until 7am, and then I work 10 hours. My job is stressful so I forget to eat, and I want to eat healthy. Which foods are best and at what times throughout the day should I eat? My goal is to lose abdominal fat.
– Mike
Hello Mike. It seems to me that if you’re forgetful, stressed out or not hungry which results in not eating during your work day, I’m not sure that making precise recommendations will make a difference. Start with a regular eating routine by setting reminders at set times or regular intervals. Employ sticky notes or smartphone alarms if you have to! Having ready-to-eat food on hand may make the difference between grabbing a bite and not eating altogether.
You only need a microwave or refrigerator for temperature acceptance (rather than food safety) for the following: pop-top cans of chili and tuna, aseptic packaged chocolate milk, and shelf-stable ravioli. Dried fruit, nuts/seeds, protein bars, turkey jerky and veggie chips make for easy dry snack options to have on hand. Don’t forget a convenient refillable water bottle!
Of course, eating in the morning surrounding your workout is crucial to your performance in the gym and success losing abdominal fat. Are you drinking a protein shake as soon as you rise or before you leave the door? At 7:00 after your exercise you should be fueling up on a major breakfast given the 2-hour workout and long duration before your next meal.
– Debbie J., MS, RD
This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!
Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!
LA Fitness registered dietitian, Debbie James, gives her recommendation on where to find resourceful and helpful dietitians and dietary books.
We often think that pulp retains its fiber, while the expressed juice does not. However, it may be time to reconsider. Debbie James, RDN weighs in.
Protein quality matters when it comes to distance athletes sustaining themselves on a vegetarian diet. LA Fitness registered dietitian, Debbie James, gives examples.
I heard over the radio at the gym today that we can ask for nutrition info through this email. I am trying to lose weight. I am 25, weigh 170.4 pounds (last time I checked), and the body fat scanner at the gym says 30.2% with a 25.9 BMI. Since January, I go to the gym an average of 5 days a week but I haven’t lost any weight. My eating habits are the same. Right now, I am trying to keep to about 1,600 calories per day with a low carb, moderate fat, and high protein diet.
I am not perfect with my food (never have been) but I am always making conscious health choices and it seems like what I am doing isn’t working. I can tell I am getting stronger and my endurance is getting better, but I am not seeing fat loss results. I feel like I am just building muscle under the fat. I drink a lot of water, drink almond milk, and keep my dinners at home simple with just a meat and veggie. I only eat boiled eggs for breakfast and usually have a 310-calorie nutrition shake and a tuna packet for my lunches.
I was wondering if you had any suggestions on the cals/macros I need to do. The trainers at the gym say what I am doing at the gym sounds good, but they aren’t sure why I am not seeing results. I was hoping to lose weight for my wedding on June 2 and I am getting depressed that it seems I am putting in all this time and effort and not going to hit my goal!
– Jessica M.
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials! From everything that you’ve described, it sounds like your current intake is lower in energy than what’s predicted for quick weight loss (your estimated resting metabolic rate is ~1890 calories). It’s great that since you’ve increased calories and activity, you have not gained weight and are getting healthier. However, your diet is low in fiber – a diet high in fiber can help you feel full longer and clear your bowels to reduce abdominal bloat. Getting rid of any excess water weight will bring out more definition and reduce your waistline.
Since your wedding is just around the corner, at this point you might want to focus on combatting bloating for a slimmer look while incorporating unsaturated plant fats to nourish your skin for that bridal glow. Keep sodium low (goal under 2,400 mg) while boosting potassium (goal 4,700 mg) by eating more bananas, beet greens, juices (carrot, orange, pomegranate, and prune), yogurt (non-fat and low-fat), potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and tomato products, and white beans.
Here’s what you might tweak for the next couple of weeks:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
* Green Tea Smoothie: In a high-powered blender mix 1 cup vanilla almond milk, 1 teaspoon powdered green tea, ½ avocado, ½ banana, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed and ½ cup crushed ice. Blend until smooth. 310 calories, 5 gm protein, 39 gm carb [6 gm fiber], 755 mg potassium, 160 mg sodium.
– Debbie J., MS, RD
This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!
Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!
LA Fitness registered dietitian, Debbie James, gives her recommendation on where to find resourceful and helpful dietitians and dietary books.
We often think that pulp retains its fiber, while the expressed juice does not. However, it may be time to reconsider. Debbie James, RDN weighs in.
Protein quality matters when it comes to distance athletes sustaining themselves on a vegetarian diet. LA Fitness registered dietitian, Debbie James, gives examples.
If I eat 1 package of sugar-free instant oatmeal with 16 blueberries for breakfast at 6 am, is it okay to eat 8 whole wheat crackers and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter an hour before I work out with my trainer at 10 am?
– Michelle
Yes! The early morning meal restores glycogen and primes blood sugar, while the pre-workout snack would help maintain a constant fuel supply. However, together they may provide less than 500 calories to sustain you for 5 hours (6 a.m. – 11 a.m.) which may not be enough to really push through a tough workout. I’d recommend a post-workout snack such as a yogurt cup, hard cooked egg with pretzels, or hummus with pita and carrots unless you’re going straight for an early lunch. Good options would be vegetarian chili, a turkey sandwich or salad niçoise (greens, tuna, potato and string beans).
– Debbie J., MS, RD
This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!
Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!
LA Fitness registered dietitian, Debbie James, gives her recommendation on where to find resourceful and helpful dietitians and dietary books.
We often think that pulp retains its fiber, while the expressed juice does not. However, it may be time to reconsider. Debbie James, RDN weighs in.
Protein quality matters when it comes to distance athletes sustaining themselves on a vegetarian diet. LA Fitness registered dietitian, Debbie James, gives examples.
LA Fitness Pro Results® Master Trainer, Stone T., gives his expert advice on whether or not cardio or strength training is best for weight loss.
Do you have a fitness question? Ask one of our certified Pro Results® trainers here! Your question may be featured in an upcoming Ask Our Trainer video.**
**Selected submissions will be featured on the LA Fitness blog and possibly other LA Fitness digital media entities & websites. By making a submission, you hereby grant LA Fitness a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable license to use and make copies of the contents of such submission for any purpose and in any medium whatsoever, and you hereby waive and relinquish any copyright or other intellectual property right you may have in the contents of such submission and your right to pursue any claim for LA Fitness’s violation of those intellectual property rights.
On this episode of ‘Ask A Trainer’ we speak with LA Fitness Pro Results® trainer Stone T. and get his expert advice on increasing stamina, and improving leg and hip strength – it’s a double question, bringing double the amount of advice.
On this episode of ‘Ask A Trainer’ we speak with LA Fitness Pro Results® trainer Stone T. and get his expert advice on exercises that are best recommended for those with knee issues.
On this episode of ‘Ask A Trainer’ we speak with LA Fitness Pro Results® trainer Stone T. and get his expert advice on whether or not heart rate training zones on fitness equipment are an accurate way to monitor your workout.