Dear Donovan

I am an avid reader of the weight loss segment in All Woman and I have also been following the suggested eating patterns from the stories published so far and I think I am seeing and feeling the results. My tummy, arms/shoulder areas, however, are still very large.

I am currently not on any form of medication and do not have diabetes or any other health issues except a condition which caused me to be on steroids for a while. This resulted in weight gain, especially in my upper body. I am 5 ft 2 inches and looking to return to my ideal weight of 135 lbs. My last weigh-in was in the 170 lbs region.

1. What is the fastest way to shed belly fat?

The fastest way I have found to lose the belly fat is to do a detox programme. Some persons from the rural areas, for example, will use aloe vera, others will do a colon cleanse. Also, exercise to tone the stomach, using specific exercises for abs. Many times, the absence of proper waste management is the main cause of belly fat. It could be that you are eating too late, or even more than you are going to the bathroom. What I have found is that after few nights of detoxifying, the belly usually goes down. A change in eating habits is also necessary in addition to exercise, or the stomach will come right back up.

2. How do I lose weight and tone my arms/shoulder area and thighs?

The normal suggestion is to lose weight first and then start the toning process, because essentially you want to reduce the fat and replace it with some muscles. These areas will get a little flabby with weight loss, but after the weight loss programme, you can lift weights along with your exercise programme to tone your arms and thighs.

3. I have neither the time nor the resources for the gym right now so I have bought a skipping rope and I intend to jog for about 30 minutes at least three days of the week. Would this be sufficient for my weight loss goals?

This could be a start, but you'll have to find some way of tweaking your programme going forward in terms of duration and/or number of days of jogging. You would also need to pay attention to your food intake because you will run out of steam and the body won't get the shock treatment it needs. You have to give the body that shock treatment because once the body gets too comfortable, it is not going to lose the weight. This can be applied either through your exercise regimen or eating habits.

4. I love pork and I've noticed none of the suggested eating styles use pork. Is eating pork and vegetables okay?

You can have pork with your vegetables, however, you could cut your pork servings. If you reduce this, then this would automatically reduce your fat and cholesterol intake. Try and have more of the lean part. Also use baking or roasting as a cooking method.

When it comes to vegetables, having it raw is better than steaming.

5. I am feeling a bit drained. Could you suggest something to boost my energy levels?

You could speak with a pharmacist who would be able to prescribe vitamins or tonics for you based on your symptoms. At home, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of molasses to one or two glasses of water daily. Molasses has a lot of the B complex vitamins and it also has a lot of iron, which will boost the energy levels. But you will still need to know why your energy level is down, and a visit to your doctor might be in order.