Too much cardio, low-fat dieting might be reason you aren't losing weight

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Body building champ Grant Roberts knows a lot about getting fit and lean. His Granite Gym in Beverly Hills features high tech diagnostics to get you started.

Yes, you've got to do the work. But if you don't know where you're starting from, it's hard to goal set for where you're going.

The Fit 3D machine does that.

"So the Fit 3D captures 450 points of measure so it's actually mapping you," said Roberts.

Mapping a 360-degree view of your body shows what needs work and what's working.

That's combined with a machine that does body comp assessments that measures lean mass, hydration, bone and fat mass through five electronic impulses.

"Our main goal is to preserve the lean mass and/or augment it and make sure that what you're losing is fat," said Roberts.

There's also compression wear called Athos that detects muscle imbalance when you work out.

"It's going to measure her heart rate and it's also going to measure if the left or right leg is working harder than the other," said Roberts.

With all that data you or a trainer can devise a plan.

Testing my resting metabolic rate, that's where I do nothing at all, comes in at 1350 calories a day. That means if I eat too much and don't do much, I gain weight.

So that means you've got to add muscle and Grant has the solution for that.

"Studies conclusively prove that, of all the exercising components, strength training is by far is the most advantageous for increasing metabolism," Roberts said.

Yet many, especially women, choose cardio for weight loss. Along with that, they choose low-fat dieting, which can deliver dismal results.

"If it's low-calorie but not full of nutrients, it's not doing any good," he said.

With 70 percent of success coming from food, calories are not just calories. Roberts says what goes in your mouth needs to be nutrient packed.

Good protein sources, colorful produce, omega-3 fats and potassium foods all help the body with hydration and energy to work effectively.

A nutrition and exercise program consult with Roberts costs $150. Fees for each test are under $100, but he also has a package that is bundled for those interested.