Reduce Fat To Stay Fit

"It's not so much about looking good as it is about feeling good, really good; feeling the rush of adrenalin after a kick-boxing class; feeling tired but satisfied after a long, hectic day," says an acclaimed model. She has a whole lot of friends who are as health-conscious, figure-conscious and beauty-conscious as she is. She claims that even if she weren't a model she would still be the way she was because she likes staying slim and fit. So, let's find out if she's in earnest.

Since how long have you been like this? Slim, fit and gorgeous?

Actually, right from my school days. My parents have always been very health-conscious. They always encouraged me to stay slim. In fact I remember my dad used to say - you eat nutritious, you live lore. Mom never stacked the shelves with chips or junk food, or the fridge with soft drinks. It was always fruits, healthy snacks and coconut water.

What is more important to focus on? Food or exercise?

I think it is a balance of both. If you only go on a diet you'll lose weight but you'll fail to firm up your muscles. I do not believe in going on crash diets. They only result in tremendous water loss. On the other hand if you only exercise and not eat properly, you'll lose a lot of weight but you won't look healthy. You'll just end up looking pale and sickly.

What is your regular diet?

I love food. And I like to see a lot of colour on my plate. I begin my day with cereals, soya milk, vitamins, fruits and my glass of milk. By midday, I have another fruit; during lunch, I have a little bit of carbs, oe else I get my rye bread, some protein-chicken, or fish. Sometimes I even have lentils or vegetables; and lots of salad. Evening's it is coconut milk, dry fruits and fruit. I am actually a fruits person. Dinner comprises nice, healthy chicken soup, salads and vegetables.

What do you do when you go out to eat or on holiday?

Oh! I can be very tiresome. When I'm eating out I drive the person who serves me absolutely mad. I'm very careful about how much oil is going inside me. It's normally always steamed or beaked dishes I order for. I ask for a lot of salad dressing on the side and bore him to death with my 'please, less oil please'. I'm not one who would go out in the night to have a burger or a pizza. When I'm on a holiday I allow myself a little liberty and let go.

What does letting go mean?

Oh well! Having ice creams and stuff like that at the weirdest hours possible. Chinese food at four in the morning; it almost sits in my stomach. I have a terrific sweet tooth. I love chocolates. Actually I need to check myself only on that front.

Do you have a tendency to easily put on weight?

Oh yes! I always have to keep a strict watch over my weight. I come to know about those extra pounds when clothes do not fit the way they should. But as soon as that happens, I work my heart out. Thankfully, it's never been very difficult for me to get back in shape.

What kind of an exercise pattern do you follow?

Well, I'm an early-riser. I get up at six in the morning; go for yoga twice a week which lasts one and a half hours. The remaining days of week, I work out at the gym. I also go for dance classes but that is not to lose weight; that's just for recreation. I also go for kick-boxing at least thrice a week. And I carry my own food and water wherever I go.

What would you do if you were a full-time working girl?

Ah! I guess that would be very difficult. I don't know how on earth would I have the time to exercise but I would definitely carry my own food - a chicken or a sandwich out of rye or whole wheat bread.

What do you think is the key to good health?

Actually, the most important thing is to find out what suits your body best. If you cannot take care of yourself, you can never take care of others. You have to chalk out a balanced diet. I have my carbs early in the morning so that I can work it out during the day. I have conditioned myself in a way that I don't crave for anything. One can follow any form of exercise; there are no hard and fast rules about that. The times I do not exercise, I am a complete couch potato. I get lethargic. When I can't exercise, I just run up the flight of stairs to my apartment. I stay on the 7th floor. I think it is also important to read about nutrition. This way you'll know what is good and what isn't. Exercise and diet, together will get your fat percentage down and help you tone up.

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Healthy Eating Habits - The Importance Of Breakfast

There was a time when I didn't bother about regular eating habits. I often felt too lazy to eat. This was especially the case when I had to fix my own breakfast or dinner.

Sometimes, I would skip breakfast and combine it with my lunch. Since I didn't develop any health problems, I didn't find anything wrong with my irregular eating habits. I was not convinced of the arguments advocating the importance of the breakfast.
But things changed after my marriage. My wife was very particular that I had my breakfast in the morning. Even on those days I had to leave home early, she would fix me a quick breakfast and make me eat it before I stepped out of my house. I noticed the difference a regular breakfast could make to one's health after experiencing he changes in my energy levels. Earlier, I used to get tired quite often and for a major part of the day, I would feel weak and fatigued.

But soon after my breakfast habit changed, I found that I was bubbling with energy throughout the day. I gathered information on eating habits from various articles and also from nutrition experts and physicians. I realized that I was very lucky to have carried on for a few years with my irregular eating habits. I was foolish to believe that regular eating habits were not important for a healthy living. Now, I advise everyone to have regular food habits and never to skip a breakfast.
A friend of mine shared with me an Indian dictum: Eat your breakfast alone, share your lunch with your friend and donate your dinner to your enemy! Proverbs tend to dramatize their advise but convey a clear message. This succinct message conveys in a humorous way three messages:
1) The breakfast is the most important meal and should be sumptuous
2) The lunch should not be too heavy and
3) The dinner should be light and can even be skipped.

Breakfast gets importance from the fact that it is preceded by a fairly long period of starvation during our sleep. After the dinner, there is a gap of eight to twelve hours before you have your breakfast. The body will have used up the energy from the dinner and will be waiting for infusion of more energy through food. Since some nutrients like proteins cannot be stored in the body for a long time, the body needs timely replenishment of these items. By skipping the breakfast, you are depriving your body of the much needed replenishment of energy and making it weak.

There are more reasons why you should never miss a breakfast but I feel that the one reason I have given is strong enough to make you understand the importance of breakfast. If you are reading this article after skipping your breakfast, then stop reading and grab something to eat immediately!






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