As a strict non-believer of diet fads that make an impact on your weight loss (albeit temporarily), I was intrigued by group fitness trainer Brinda Desai’s new book, Secrets To Being Quintessentially Svelte. You can call it a handbook to healthy living; her wise words revolve around a simple philosophy, ‘live well’. Desai truly believes that losing weight can be pleasurable, so long as you start listening to the most important person in your life—yourself. “Your body is constantly talking to you, but the noise around is so loud, you can’t hear it. You miss out on realising how simple the body’s needs are (movement, rest and nutritious, wholesome food), and that little changes can actually make you lose weight and feel fit more successfully,” she explains.
Desai charts out a realistic plan to help you lose weight and keep you in good shape inside out through life.
1. Eat nourishing, wholesome foods
Follow the good old Food Pyramid for the perfect diet. Eating the right foods in balance keeps your body well-nourished, and helps you lose weight. The body requires specific nutrients for specific functions to work well. Deny it and you will start seeing ill effects.
2. You can indulge, even when you’re trying to lose weight
It is very important to keep the mind happy. Whether it’s fries or chocolate, a rich gravy or cake; treat yourself to it a couple of times a week. But make sure the portion is moderate—one slice of cake, small serving of fries, 1-2 pieces of chocolate—and balance out the rest of your week’s diet by eating simple, nutritious foods.
3. Make your social life active
Why meet over dinner or coffee when you can have much more fun dancing the night away? How about salsa party? Or why not spending an entire morning cycling with your friends and stop for a breakfast picnic somewhere scenic? Challenge your girlfriends to a game of throwball or just go for a swim.
4. Take the stairs
Start off with one floor and then add on. Every opportunity you get, climb. If you head out from your third-floor home say twice in the day, you will have climbed about 120 steps.
5. Skip the car and walk
Run your errands and walk short distances whenever possible. It saves time, traffic and pollution, and burns calories to help you lose weight.
6. Pick one physical activity every day
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a workout. Crank up the music and dance, run with your dog in the park, play with your kids or pick up an active sport.
7. Take stock of your sugar intake
Sugar in tea, coffee and other drinks, as well as in meals and desserts can all add up to a very large quantity for your daily diet. Pick and choose. Have a small portion if you really want to, or better yet, try to satisfy your craving with fruits.
8. Listen to your body
Don’t be mechanical about what you eat just because you want to follow a diet. Try to figure what your body is saying. Do you want something cold or warm, sour or sweet, bland or spicy, light or heavy? Lead by the sensation. Don’t brew yourself a hot cup of coffee if your body would rather have something cool. Eat grilled chicken and mashed potato for when your body craves comfort.
9. Choose an exercise form you truly enjoy
Pick a workout that makes you feel happy. Is it a jog in the park, or is it cycling? Do you like the tempo cardio class? Or is yoga more your cup of tea? What about martial arts? There are so many forms of exercise to choose from. Your workout must ideally include cardiovascular training, strength training and flexibility training. Take the time to give that a thought and strictly pick what you would love doing. You’ll lose weight as you go.
Brinda Desai’s Secrets to Being Quintessentially Svelte is available on Amazon.in
Also read:
How to lose weight and get fit, not skinny: 10 easy steps
How to lose weight: 8 foods that will fire up your metabolism
Weight loss tips: How to drink alcohol when you’re trying to lose weight
How to manage sugar cravings when on a weight loss diet
Workouts for weight loss: 15 to 35 minute HIIT sessions to try now
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