Breaking the weight barrier

Ten years after I had my daughter and eight years after being the same weight, I just managed to break the barrier. Simply put, my body weight had got stuck at one point and no matter how much I worked out, it refused to budge.

Two days ago, it budged.

I tried to analyze what I did right to make it happen after 8 years of non action. Basically, for three days prior to this, I had started eating 4 small meals instead of 3, the last meal being at 7 pm. After my meal, I had worked out (after an hour's gap). So by the time I hit my bed (10 pm), everything was digested. And three days later, I had lost 400 grams.

I don't know if I'll be able to sustain it, but the small victory feels good for now. Will monitor it for sometime and tell you if it's worked.

Lifestyle changes, not fad diets

I went to David Maister's blog today and he wrote about something so simple: that while the weight loss mantra is as straightforward as eat less, exercise more, the world is full of fad diets that sell, but don't work in the long run.

It's something we've known forever. We lose weight, we gain it. And the next time it gets tougher to lose the same amount.

The secret then, is not just in what David said, but also in the quality of food we eat.

Many lament over being fat but not eating much, without realizing that they're eating the wrong foods. The trick is to eat right. After a certain age (read 30+), it's the input of food that controls the health & weight. The output in the form of exercise brings pure fitness benefits essential for ageless longevity -- and what the beauty industry is spending millions on - the secret to slower ageing!

So want to look young and be slim and healthy? Forget the fad diets, make the lifestyle change of eating more veggies, fruits, white meats... and 20 mins of exercise 4 days a week. And don't moan.

There really isn't a better way out that will give you the long term benefits of good health, continued slimness, perfect health check up reports (unless it's an illness that has no cause, like rheumatism, cancer etc) and drop dead good looks.

Go on, make the change.

Fit means sexy!

Being fit after a child is a challenge only if we don't put our health first. Let's admit it: there's no denying that our bodies change, our hormones change, and for many of us, our hair & skin textures change too! I went from straight hair to wavy, from clear skin to oily prone to pimples...

So what's the secret of getting back? The short cuts include:

1. No dinner. Yes, No dinner. That's it.
2. 20-min workout: Just stand in front of the TV, and start marching in one place, with your knees going high enough to be at 90 degrees with your stomach.

Do the above for two weeks, and I guarantee a couple of kilos gone.

The long cuts? In food, make a lifestyle change. Your daily intake should have only, and only, fruits, veggies, white meats and a few nuts (5-6 of each is the best!). By doing this, you'll keep your weight off.

I did. I lost weight after a baby, and have been constant ever since (my daughter's ten years old now!). And what's more, I got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and realised that my food habits are benefitting managing my disease too!

So go ahead. Make that change. Get fit. Feel more energetic. Clear your skin.

And look sexy.