Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Most people would have losing weight as their new years resolution. Something I used to have too till I gave up. Nowadays, I'm trying to keep myself as fit as possible, though it might seem impossible. My family has a lineage of big and heavy people. So I kind of gave up on loosing weight or being fit. My stamina is low and my legs can't even bring me joging.

I used to think it was because people wanted to look good that they wanted to exercise and loose weight. Especially young people. It's also easier to fit into clothes and you have lots of choices to choose from. For people of a bigger size, especially in Malaysia, the fashion industry doesn't really cater to you. So you'll have to give in and end up in t-shirts and aunty jeans because the good jeans don't even have your size.

Now I see it differently. With all the health problems the world brings in propotion to the modern lifestyle, different sickness comes running after you, and if you're obese, I don't think you might have a chance of running away. So the only thing way to get out of it is to change your lifestyle. Because most of us want to get married, have kids and grandkids and great grand kids. The future starts with you and you being healthy.

My visits to the Gynea will always end up with "if you want to have kids one day, you better loose weight". I thought I was the only one. My sister got the same advice too. The both of us are obese according to our body mass index. And maybe according to the sizes of our jeans too. It's not that we have never tried exercising. It just never works out (pun intended)!

After my practical stint in February, I shot up to a raging 70kg. I used to stay at 62kg. My ideal weight is 55kg. My life has been cut short. If it goes on like this, I'll probably have health problems in the next few years or might die because I can't swim or run to save myself. So I determine to change my habits. And to one day see how my grandchild looks like.

This may seem like the typical weight lost advice people might read online or in magazines, but I'm doing a testimony here.

1. Yoga

I started doing yoga since I came back from Morocco in early March. I've never actually attended a real yoga class nor do I have a yoga mat back home. I just downloaded the app from my phone and do it in the evenings on weekdays and in the mornings on weekends. My routine is only 15 - 30 minutes and I do it about 5 times a week. I don't do complicated ones that needs you to become a ninja. I just do simple ones. So far my stretching has been really good and I'm quiet satisfied doing it especially after spending a few hours in front of the computer with an aching shoulder.

2. Drink lots of water

This is the easiest part of it. No kidding. Read it here. I just learned that drinking water and lots of it would flush away toxic and also fat. And a way to "trick" your stomach that it is full to avoid having so much to eat. Drink water before a meal and at every chance you get. Not only will you loose weight. You will also have better skin. Everyone should drink at least 3l of water daily. And avoid soda drinks.

3. Eat frequently in small amounts

I'm not telling you to have roti canai and nasi lemak whenever you are hungry. Have a bit or two whenever you stomach seems to throw a tantrum. A apple, muffin, sandwich, chocolate. Just don't eatuntil u feel like puking. Eating frequently will increase your metabolism and helps you loose weight. Avoid having such a heavy meal. Also, cuting down on rice and fatty food intake will help generously.

4. Make fruits your best friend

Instead of munching on chips, try munching on grapes, apples, langsats and so on. A person should actually take 5 different kinds of fruits daily. But one will also do. Stock up on bananas and keep apples in your handbags or bring to work. You can have them when your tummy is hungry. Maybe God intended us to munch on fruits before humans made chips.

I have religiously been following this steps for the past one month. So far I have lost 7kg. Still a kilo above my usual weight and far behind my ideal weight. But now I am able to fit into my jeans without frustration even after drying it in the dryer. I feel better, healthier, I can jump a little and am much more active. I don't expect to look like Lara Croft but at least I'm conciously aware that I'm on the right track. So it's not too late for you to try change your lifestyle. Heaving an unhealthy one would just mean suicide on the long run.

*all pictures taken from google