Frequently asked questions

What does metabolism mean? Why does my metabolism even matter?

Your metabolism is the rate at which you burn calories. Those calories are either stored calories (glucose or fat) or calories in circulation e.g. the chicken and salad sandwich you just had for lunch. How fast and how well you burn those calories depends on your energy demands and the amount of muscle you have. Leaner, more muscular people have a higher metabolism than their chubby sedentary friends and can therefore eat a lot more food (even the occasional sweet treat) guilt free!

Do I have to train with weights? I don’t want big muscles like the bodybuilder girls in the magazines.

Don’t worry, you won’t turn into a ‘she Hulk’ by training with weights. That requires years of hard dedicated training six times per week and thousands of calories every day. However for successful weight loss and to look good you need to lift weights at least three times per week. This will tone your muscles and charge up your metabolism so that you burn more fat during exercise and at rest. Think of your weights workout as turbo charger for your metabolism.

Do I really need a protein shake? I don’t want big muscles like the bodybuilder girls in the magazines.

You don’t ‘need’ a protein shake. However you do need to increase the amount of protein in your diet (chicken, steak, eggs and fish). You also need protein every three to four hours…it keeps your blood sugar levels stable, makes you feel full and stops you from snacking. It’s also vital for recovery from your workouts. Some people are too busy with work, school and home life to stop and eat that often, so a protein shake is quick and convenient. It’s also a very small snack if you are feeling full from your last meal.

I’m too busy…I don’t have time to do cardio, go to gym, make my meals then eat them all. My family and work demands are too high. Isn’t there an easier way?

We all have the same 24hrs in a day. What you do with those 24hrs is ultimately up to you. In the end your health and happiness is what matters. If you are happy being out of shape and looking towards the impeding health ramifications then continue what you’re doing. If not, make the change. Just remember a lot of busy people (Accident & Emergency doctors, shift workers like Police and Fire Brigade and politicians) manage to schedule time for gym, meals and family. And a lot of them find that the time they do spend with friends and family is quality time! Hint: if you can name any of the characters on Home and Away you have time for gym.

All the celebrities are doing the Atkins Diet. What is that about? Do I have to do it too?

The Atkins Diet is a brand name for a ‘no carb diet’. It’s been around for a long time and millions of people around the world have lost weight and improved their health using it. The magic of this diet (if there is any) is in the removal of carbohydrates from the diet. This forces the body to find an alternate fuel source…your fat stores! (You might have heard this as being referred to as being in Ketosis). But that means no bread, rice, pasta, fruit or alcohol, so it’s not very sociable and not for everybody. However what most people find is that after the initial five to seven days of dieting their craving for carbohydrates disappears and makes sticking to the diet easy.

Before you embark on any sort of diet you should discuss your goals with a qualified person and have them look at your dietary habits, body type and energy demands to ensure you’re on the right track.