Alcohol, Belly Fat, and Weight Loss

I received a refreshingly honest question this morning from an admitted alcoholic requesting fitness advice. As the question was not marked private I will share it with you here as I believe it is useful.

Dear Lynda,
I'm a 6 feet tall male, weighing 96 kgs(overweight). I have stubborn pot belly which I want flattened. I don't look particularly fat otherwise. I also want little more wider shoulders with little more bulky arms, along with that flat stomach.

Regarding my diet, I eat little(juice for breakfast with a banana, some rice with mashed potato for lunch, and something light for dinner)However I'm an alcoholic requiring 3-4 drinks of rum daily with my dinner.

My question to you is-

1)Will I have to stop drinking completely? Is it not possible to get a flat stomach and great shape by doing ab/weight & aerobic exercises along with diet control WITHOUT QUITTING ALCOHOL?

2)I do not have the money to go to the gym and in my part of the world, not everyone can afford it (it's expensive). But I do have light weights at home? Shall I start? Bench press? How much? how much cardio and ab exercises? What kind of ab exercises? Kindly outline some simple/starting exercises that I may start at home.

A detailed reply would be highly appreciated.

Dear RJ,
Thanks for your question and your honesty.

The most important thing you can do for your health and your body is stop drinking. You will not be able to get rid of your stomach without that.

Also, you are by no means eating enough or a good variety of food. Between the fruit, alcohol, and white carbs you are just loading your body with sugars. You need lean protein, complex carbs (fruits, vegetables, whole wheat, brown rice, etc), good fats, and lots of water.

Instead of adding exercise right now while you continue to eat poorly and drink way too much, I suggest that you go to AA straight away to get help with your drinking and start eating better and REALLY taking care of your self. Just think, if you don't spend all that money on rum you'll have more for healthy activity!

Given that, go to exrx.net for a comprehensive database of weight training and other exercises you can do at home with or without weights.

This may not be the answer you want, but it is the answer that makes the most sense in terms of your life and health. I wish you all the best.

Regards,

Lynda

Tags: Diet, Exercises, Alcohol, AA, fitness, news, alcoholism, lynda lippin