Being Healthy: Hungry Kya?

Everyone has different notions of losing weight or staying healthy depending on the experiences of their friends, family or neighbours. Some make sense, most are alarmingly disturbing. Hence, I’m clearing the doubts once and for all.

Myth #1: You need to starve or you need six meals a day: Well, the truth is neither. All you need is a formula: three meals, two snacks and dinner by 7.30 p.m. Many people have gained weight due to starving because their body goes into fat storage mode, and many people eating six meals a day also gain weight because they are eating meals, not snacks. They add on calories and their last meal ends up being at 9 or 10 pm and they sleep immediately after. That totally derails any effort.

Myth #2: If you exercise a lot, you can eat more: Food is medicine, so if you’re working out like crazy for a John Abraham body, of course you need more, but more means the right proteins. For sedentary people who walk or run three days a week, eating right is more important than eating more. Often, I’ve heard people say, “Oh I ran 8 kms today, I can eat this shahi paneer.” Seriously? Your body has earned good food, and you give it cholesterol filled nonsense? Treat your body like a Rolls Royce, not a roadways truck.

Myth #3: You need to drive yourself hard to stay fit: So you travel time zones, eat healthy, exercise hard, work hard, but compromise on rest. After all, you have to fit in work and workout in your 24 hours, right? Well, think of Saumil Shah & Ranjan Das, two amazing business leaders who did that. Their hearts couldn’t take it. And they came into the limelight because they were high profile. I hear about so many others on a weekly basis. So please, make sure you sleep 7-8 hours, exercise only five days a week. You will still lose weight and stay fit.

Myth #4: Your parents are fat so you’ll always be overweight: This is the worst “lazy man’s excuse” I’ve heard. You eat right, do balanced workouts, you will stay fit. Hiding behind your genes and taking the easy way out can give you lifestyle diseases associated with obesity such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and certain types of cancers.

Myth #5: If you have a thyroid problem, you will be overweight, no matter what: More than 70 per cent working professionals who come to me have hypothyroidism. And they lose weight as soon as they get on to a balanced, thyroid friendly programme. You just need to know how to, don’t believe anyone who says you can’t. Unexplained pains and fatigue linked to thyroid also go away once stamina increases and weight decreases.

Now that you know you can become fitter and more energetic no matter what, just move it!

Question Of The Fortnight
Send in your questions to askrachnachhachhi@gmail.com

I stay fatigued most of the day, including when I wake up. I sleep for 7-8 hours and don’t have a very hectic job. What could be the reason? — Amaresh Pandit, 39, Thane

Dear Amaresh, Unexplained fatigue is a sign of some nutrient-anti-nutrient imbalance. Possible causes are low iron, low oxygen in the blood, sleep apnea (you may not be aware of it), hypothyroidism, wrong eating habits like too many wrong carbohydrates and not enough protein, low vitamin B12 or vitamin D (very common). Do get these checked to get to the bottom of your tiredness.