“With
the New Year comes the opportunity for a fresh start. For many people, this
means leading a healthier lifestyle and losing weight. Every day is a new chance to start
over, and this is the right time to return to your healthy lifestyle in case
you got sidetracked.” Kepha Nyanumba – Consultant Nutritionist
The
holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Unfortunately,
for many it also becomes a time for over-eating and weight gain. With the New
Year comes the opportunity for a fresh start. For many people, this means
leading a healthier lifestyle and losing weight. Every day is a new chance to
start over, and this is the right time to return to your healthy lifestyle in
case you got sidetracked. It’s important to have a plan and clear vision of
your lifestyle journey and what exactly you want to achieve out of the
journey.
What is the best way to lose weight
after Christmas?
The optimal way to lose weight is to
follow a lower calorie diet based on the healthy eating food pattern and to
incorporate daily physical activity into your lifestyle. It is important to make small changes in your
diet and lifestyle rather than losing 5kgs in one week through a
"crash" diet or "fad" diet. Each of us is unique
– metabolically, psychologically, and circumstantially. For this reason,
there’s no single diet plan that works well for everyone. “Each person needs to
find what works for him- or herself by seeking professional nutritional advice.
This is the first principle that will enable you to start the lifestyle journey
in the right direction by avoiding unnecessary trial and errors. If you have a
clear vision of the journey and what you want out of your journey then you are
pointed in the right direction to achieve that success.
What are
the recommended dietary interventions after Christmas?
Your health status this year is closely associated with the
nourishment obtained from your diet. From healthy lifestyle choices, eating the
proper foods, and keeping a positive attitude, there are many things you can do
to boost your healthy status this year.
- Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods within and among the basic food groups; choose foods that limit intake of saturated and trans-fats, cholesterol, added sugars, and salt.
- Taking organic foods will give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy. Daily intake of natural organic vegetables and fruits will make you feel better, give you more energy, and will be very beneficial to your system.
- Cut down the intake of sugary foods such as cakes and sweets. Sugar feeds yeasts and other microorganisms infecting your body and helps them flourish in your system. An overload of yeast weakens the immune system leading to all sorts of nagging problems both internally and externally.
- It is helpful to watch what goes into your body. Processed foods, artificial sugars, food colorings, and artificial flavorings can all be harmful to your body and reduce your chances of achieving the full benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
- Regular exercise helps to control your weight by using excess calories and prevents several diseases. It does not matter what type of physical activity you perform-sports, planned exercise, household chores, or work-related tasks all are beneficial.
