I'm 5'7", and I just recently hit the 140 mark on the scale. I definitely don't want to get any heavier, and would much prefer to be down around 130.

This month, I started doing pilates about 2-3 hours a week, which I LOVE. I definitely feel like I get a workout when I do it, but I haven't lost any weight.

This makes me think that I need to go on a diet or change my eating habits in some way. Except that deep down, I am opposed to diets - I think food should be enjoyed. I've been trying to simply be conscious of food without actually dieting, but I think has actually made me hungrier. Is that possible? Every time I think about whether I'm eating well, I start to seriously crave some chips or something! I'm not usually a snacker, but as soon as I noticed my weight, I've been dying for snacks. Does this happen to other people?

Any advice?

Doing pilates - that is a cardio based workout where you are burning more calories through exercise - correct?

I would assume that you are suffering from the lag that most people suffer from when starting an exercise program.

The body is designed to survive - diet and exercise is really against survival - least ways short term goals. When you suddenly up the amount of exercise, the body will go into conservation mode - Same thing with reduced calorie dieting.

The body will then start conserving and converting as much food as possible into a secondary fuel source (fat) so you will have enough to live on since now suddenly you are struggling to either catch the food, or in the case of starvation diet, there is a famine going on.

As part of your exercise program your body will need more carbs - carbs convert into sugars which are released into the blood stream slowly over time. Sugar is pure energy for the human body. I bet if you look at what you are craving that it is carb based food - perhaps high in salt as well since in the process of doing a cardio you sweat out salts.

Just because you stopped exercising does not mean your body is finished. Any and all exercise causes damage to the muscles - yep even turning over in bed does this. The body will require more proteins and other stuff (like vitamins) in order to rebuild those muscles. So you might end up with cravings for things which have higher amounts of protein or some certain vitamin your body is lacking.

Cardio programs reach plateau early on - usually 3 months into cardio and your body reaches the point where the damage to the muscles is low, thus the need to repair is low. As a marvelous machine the body will over repair - thus scar tissue is tougher, thicker and less likely to be injured again. This happens with the muscles as well.

These are the factors at play; you must consider them in your exercise program. For instance, eating a few carbs 10-15 minutes before your cardio program will give you a boost in energy and performance and will reduce the craving for fuel after the exercise. If you are in weight training you follow with protein shakes, and continue giving more protein to your body since you are aiming for more muscle mass which requires proteins.

If it is the salt you are craving, then you should take up the habit of drinking a sport’s drink like Gatorade which has replacement salts and nutrients.

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All of that to point out that diet and exercise goes hand in hand. We have badly misaligned the word “diet” to mean starvation or restrictions, the reality is that diet means balancing out your bodies needs with what your body does. Thus in your exercise phase, you need to feed your body that which it needs in order to perform at its peak.

You are doing a good thing to keep exercising. You may not see results on the scale immediately, but you will likely see your figure change. If you are doing pilates, it's very likely that you are building muscle. To do that you need to eat so going very restrictive on calories won't do much good. I think that you have to look on it for the long term and realize that if you build up some muscle from the exercise that when you decide to restrict calories that the weight will fall off much easier.

You will look better but you won't see the results on the scale in the short term. Try to avoid snacking and pig outs and just eat regular sized meals and lots of veggies... basically try to eat healthy and in reasonable portions and you'll be happy with the results.

Well then, here's my plan:

Eat some bread or pasta 10-15 minutes before exercising, and drink something akin to Gatorade afterward.

Continue exercising. I'm thinking of upping the amount of exercise I do, as well (I use videos, so it won't cost me anything to exercise more). I enjoy it and would much prefer to exercise a lot and be able to eat than to have to become a calorie-counter.

Eat well, including veggies and some protein now and then (which is basically what I usually do -it's just that the word "diet" has made me feel munchy lately ).

In two or three months, once I've built some muscle, lower the amount of calories I'm taking in. I'm not quite sure how I'll do this, but I'll cross that bridge once I come to it.

Let me know if you see a flaw in my plan. Thanks, guys!

By the way, Master David, if it makes any difference, I'm not sure that I would call Pilates a cardio-based workout. There are times when the heart rate does get up there, but not to the same extent as it might in aerobics, for example. Pilates is sort of a combination of ballet and yoga, focusing on strength and flexibility. I like it because I'm trained in ballet, so it feels familar and I pick up the techniques quickly (and yet it is a bit less demanding than ballet, which is better for me now that I'm older and, well, a bit less of a glutton for pain than I used to be!). So far I've just learned mat exercises and I also do the light pilates-style weight lifting (3 pound weights). I haven't gotten the ball yet or learned those exercises, but I may try that in the future.

Good plan.

Easy way to cut calories is to reduce fats (oils, margarine, butter, etc.) which are high in calories per volume. And reduce sugars which are high in calories per volume.

At the same time up the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet - these guys tend to have the lowest amount of calories to volume.

Example. A tablespoon of oil can have up to 150 calories in it. A can of corn can have the same amount. Which will fill you faster, a tablespoon of oil or a can of corn?

Usually if you fill your stomach your body doesn’t go into hunger mode – unless you are lacking in some vital nutrients – which I personally suspect that the reason why Americans are getting larger is that their diets are nutrient unbalanced, so though they are full they are still hungry because their body is requiring something.

I would also tag into a all in one daily vitamin (One a day) that will up the amounts of those minerals and vitamins – especially if you have a exercise program going on – that way you will cover all your bases and provide your body with everything it needs.

I wouldn't get too into the gatorade... it's basically just sugary water. I think it's great if you feel like you need it after working out because you've sweat a lot, but I would suggest that you take a hit of it rather than drinking the whole container. You will likely get the same benefit from having a little gatorade and a glass of water that you'd get from drinking the whole thing.

I also find that dairy foods are good at satisfying the nutrient aspect of what David mentions. Women's bodies need calcium so if you satisfy that need you might find less of a feeling of hunger. Skim milk is good when you are trying to eat less.

Basically, you have a good plan but be careful of how advertising makes us think we need something that we really don't... i.e. gatorade. I am amazed that the kids I coach think gatorade is a health food... it's just advanced Koolaid really. Not much better than soda.

The only thing wrong with your plan, Sarai, is the sugary drink after the exercise. You would do well to teach your body who's boss right now by refusing to buy pop, french fries, butter, sugar, and that type of food.

When you buy a food, and keep it on hand, you are at the moment of purchase giving yourself permission to eat them.

If someone else in your house loves that type of food, tell him/her/them to indulge away from home. Don't contribute to their inevitable health problems by having it in the house. Also it acts as a temptation to you.

But don't tell little kids to indulge away from home! Kids will eat these treats in preference to wholesome food anytime -- it doesn't matter what parents or teachers say. School cafeteria staff talk of wastebaskets full of oranges, apples, whole wheat sandwiches, yogurt, while the kids spend their allowances on pop and sweet and fat treats at the coin-operated dispensers.

People who don't want fat kids should get the school boards to remove vending machines from the schools, and confiscate such foods from the kids if they bring them into the school.

P.S. Walking is great. It boosts your energy so that you are more inclined to do more serious exercise. Walk everywhere. Whenever you need to go anywhere, ask yourself if it's feasible to walk, even if you need to bus part way. Give your car away to your worst enemy. Rent a car when you absolutely need one.