$Unique_ID{BRK01120}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{Just Don't Feel Fit}
$Subject{weight diet exercise}
$Volume{Q-26, Q-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Just Don't Feel Fit


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QUESTION:  I am 28 years old and teach aerobics three to four times a week.
My weight is about 128 pounds.  The problem is reducing another ten to fifteen
pounds.  Even though I am not overweight, I just don't feel physically fit.  I
do not over eat and watch my fat consumption but nothing seems to help.  I
have battled my weight all my life and it would be nice to finally win.  Any
advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

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ANSWER:  Without a height measurement, it is hard to completely evaluate your
situation, but I probably would agree with you, you do not seem to be
overweight.  You would have to be 20 percent over your normal body weight to
be considered obese.  And that weight should be in excess fat tissue, rather
than in muscle tissue, for it to be significant.  While regular aerobics does
not tend to excessively develop your muscles, it would be interesting to know
if some of your body weight cannot be due to your frequent workouts.  While
you claim you are not overeating, keeping track of everything you consume in a
daily diary, and then converting those numbers to calories might reveal that
even for a person of your age and your (unrevealed) height and physical
activity, you are still consuming too many calories for there to be a
noticeable weight loss over time.  But my medical sensitivities are alerted by
the statement that you "just don't feel fit".  I would want to check out a few
possibilities to be sure that both your physical functions and mental state
are all functioning as they should.  A thyroid problem can be at the base of
your problem, and work and living situations can make a person feel less than
fit without any physical basis.  Too many times, a medical situation that is
relatively easy to correct, is lost in a poorly defined complaint such as
yours.  I don't think your answer lies in another diet, but in an overall
evaluation of your physical, emotional and social situation.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
