(Editor's Note: This is the second in a three-part series on "learning how to walk before starting to run.")

When fitness enthusiasts and their trainers are stumped by a client's inability to lose fat, the immediate tactic is to cut calories and increase the levels of cardiovascular exercise.

To their collective dismay, more fat is layered on. So more calories are slashed, aerobic exercise is increased, but fat stubbornly stays.

The message being sent to the body is that it's in a crisis state of starvation coupled with increased activity.

"I'm dying!" is what the cell collective is trying to tell the brain of these misinformed, mislead bodies. "Stop running around, feed me plenty of nutritious calories that contain the fats and amino acids I need for protein synthesis, drink pure water and REST!"

We are still ancient survival machines; this caloric restriction with too much exercise is telling the body to eat the muscle and store the fat for survival.

And we simply aren't listening.

Not only are we turning a deaf ear to the wisdom within our cells, in the ridiculous quest for ripped rectus abdominus, bulging biceps, chiseled chests and flashy flanks, we have forgotten what happens when the flexors of the spine are over-trained to obtain that look.

With each and every step during an hour long run, for instance, seven to 10 times our body weight is jarred through every single joint in our bodies.

That's OK if all systems are operating optimally on an upright, functional spine.

I weigh 160 pounds at 21 percent body fat. I have a high performing inner unit in spite of three ruptured discs and a spine thickened with arthritis (which, by the way hardly inconveniences me because I don't follow popular protocol to be "fit").

Let's do the math: 10 x 160 (me) = 1600 (total pounds of force).

That's 1,600 pounds each time my foot strikes during a jog or an aerobics class.

If my head is pulled forward from an overtrained and shortened rectus abdominus and my pectorals are tight from too many bench presses, the extensors of my spine will be long and loose.

My entire spine is being jarred forward or behind of where it's supposed to be.

For every degree forward from optimal alignment my head is, its weight increases by 10 pounds.

My typical 15-20 pound head becomes a whopping 55 to 80 dead weight with just 4 degrees forward of optimal carriage!

The views expressed in this column are for information only and not intended to replace your current medical protocols. Always consult your health practitioner before undertaking any dietary changes or exercise programs.

Nancy is a CHEK Institute Holistic Lifestyle and Exercise coach and an ACE certified, IDEA awarded Master personal fitness trainer. She helps clients find optimal health and fitness through practical nutrition, holistic conditioning and lifestyle coaching out of her home in SeaTac. For more information contact Nancy at 206-852-4768 or visit her website, www.nancyjerominski.com