The way to lose weight is never to go on a diet again. Diets involve physical and well as mental torture. Sellers of dieting books make their money from making a sceince of dieting seem like a science. No busy family has the time to make strange, special dishes for just one person. You are forced to lead an abnormal life for the duration of the diet, with the promise that in a few weeks you can become a beanpole.
Many diets offer a solution in a matter of weeks, but don’t be lured by the promise of a quick fix. When you put your body on a diet, your body feels that there is a shortage of food, or a famine. It is unhappy, and begins fighting to survive. The body’s metabolism slows down to survive; you feel tired, and you use up less energy. When you start to eat normally again, the body tries to recover the lost fat, just in case the famine returns again. If you keep on going on crash diets, you teach your body how to survive the famine. Following my Healthy Eating Guide is the ideal way to make sure that you eat healthily and you can obtain a free copy by emailing to [email protected].
Get Fit & Healthy
Use Less Salt
Why? Many foods contain far more salt than they did 20 years ago. On average, we now consume 9 g of salt a day, when the recommended limit for an adult is 6 g. A high intake of salt is linked to high blood pressure; salt causes the body to hold on to water, which makes the heart work harder.
How? Instead of salt, for flavour in cooking use herbs, garlic, onions, lemon, and spices. Don’t put the salt cellar on the table. Cut down on potato crisps.
Recipe of the Week
Farfalle Pasta With Broccoli and Ricotta
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 pound farfalle pasta
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 cups broccoli florets
freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
Method
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the pasta in it and cook for 12 to 14 minutes, until al dente. Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add the broccoli florets, salt, pepper and nutmeg and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the broccoli begins to get tender. Remove from heat and place the broccoli mixture in a large bowl with the ricotta cheese. Drain the pasta and immediately toss it with the broccoli and ricotta.
Exercise Tip
When to Eat, When to Weigh
If you’re a woman, a good time to keep the scales put away is several days before or after your period. Because of hormones, a woman’s weight may fluctuate as much as eight pounds in a cycle. This fluctuation has nothing to do with food. Try to limit your fat at the evening meal because fat takes longer to digest than carbohydrates and the body processes slow down during the night. Some nutritionists even advocate not eating at all after 6.00 p.m.
Ask Alva
I am 14 years old, 163 cm and I weigh 45 kg. Everyone says I’m too skinny and I really want to have a normal body. However much I eat my body doesn’t seem to grow and I’m so worried that I might not grow any more. I eat loads of fruits and vegetables because I like them and I try to eat more fatty foods like chocolate and meat. Also I play tennis and badminton at least 3 times a week. Is there a way to keep growing?
I think you are just one of those really lucky girls who are just naturally slim and can enjoy food. Your BMI is 16 so you are a little underweight. Girls’ bodies do round off after they have finished growing — you are going to be nice and tall and slim. One day you will have a figure to be envied by all your friends. Make sure you are eating enough complex carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, and pasts to give you energy for your busy life. As long as you are eating a healthy diet you can stop worrying about the way you look and get on and enjoy yourself.