Back in shape

Every year ends with a non-stop supply of highly fattening food and you end up gaining a bulge even if you have been extremely careful with your diet. Consequently most of us begin the new year wanting our ‘weight control’ prayers answered as quickly as possible. Chances are that you are feeling bloated and miserable.

What to do? No matter how badly you want to lose weight, self-abuse in the name of weight loss is not acceptable! If you lose weight at the expense of your health and well being you will not be pleased with the result. On the other hand, if you focus on improving your health and lose some weight then you will find your own realistic magic number on the scale and your measurements can be fine-tuned with subtle changes in your diet and exercise pattern.

Exercise: It is virtually impossible to be healthy and strong if you are not physically active. Begin a brisk morning walk for 40 minutes for at least four days in a week. When will this walk begin to make a dent in your abdominal fat that you are trying to lose? That depends on the duration, frequency and intensity of your walk. Gradually build all three within the first fifteen days.

• What to eat?
  Eat a diet that includes 50% raw and 50% cooked vegetables along with whole grain and pulses.
• Finish eating your dinner by 7p.m. Avoid eating anything after that till next morning 7a.m.
• Increase fiber intake by consuming flaxseeds (alsi seeds), raw almonds and raw vegetable juices.
• According to ayurveda foods that are bitter (lettuce leaves, spinach, methi, karela, cucumber) help in removing toxins from the body, improve digestion and tone up the tissues. They also help to normalize excessive hunger. Include these in your diet.
• Drink hot water through the day. Warm water is the best detoxifying agent

Above all, you must redefine your attitude towards your body and your scale. Try and be realistic about your weight. Stop `feeling fat’ if you are not overweight. Avoid getting that skeleton look. Remember it is more important to be healthy, achieve ideal body weight, rather than be too thin, and fall prey to disease !

ANJALI MUKERJEE, Nutritionist, Founder Director-Health Total, having health centers
in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune -manages obesity & other health related disorders.
Contact numbers: 1800 8918131/+91 86575 61727
For further information, Visit www.health-total.com