Lose weight without losing your mind

Roshina had only watermelons on Day 1, vegetables on Day 2, fruits and vegetables on Day 3, bananas and milk on Day 4, meat and tomatoes on Day 5, meat and vegetables on Day 6 and a relatively satisfactory Day 7 with brown rice, fruit juice and vegetables. Wondering why the gastronome underwent this torture and restrained herself from devouring all those mouthwatering delicacies that are any gourmet’s delight?Well, she was able to accomplish her goal of losing almost five kg! The next day her friends showered her with compliments so much so that she is all set to grin and bear it all over again!Roshina is not the only one. There are countless others who are willing to put up with this seemingly unimaginable plan to shed those extra kilos so that they can look slim and trim in any attire. With our sedentary lifestyle and the increase in fast food consumption, having a well toned body is a distant dream for many. The diet plan that Roshina followed is called the GM diet, a plan that was initially developed for the employees of General Motors but gradually gained popularity across the world. But the chances of regaining the weight lost are alarmingly high. “We recommend the GM diet plan to clients only if they demand a diet plan that will help them lose weight in a week’s time. Most of my clients who opt for this diet are those who have to attend a marriage function or event the following week,” says Sharika Jagadeesh, dietician at Talwalkars, Kochi. Another diet plan that is used by many for weightloss is the Atkins diet plan, which is a low-carbohydrate, high protein diet. It is based on the belief that it is not excess calories that are responsible for obesity, but processed carbohydrates and insulin.The Atkins diet consists of four separate phases. The induction is the first step and  the introduction to the diet. This phase is followed by the weightloss and pre-maintenance phase. The last phase is the lifetime maintenance phase. While at the pre-maintenance phase, one learns exactly how many grams of carbohydrate you body can tolerate to maintain your ideal weight. The last phase of the diet plan is aimed at maintaining your weight for life by eating wisely, exercising regularly, by limiting alcohol consumption and finally by coping with food temptation. However, critics of the diet claim that a person is unlikely to keep the weight at bay over the long term. There are also several side-effects to it. “Since Atkins is a high fat diet, if the fat consumed is not good fat, there is high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also certain organs may be overworked to sustain the process of Ketosis,” says Nivedita, Dietician at AIMS, Kochi. “Now, we also have a Modified Atkins diet, which is a diet plan suited for our day to day requirements. Though this diet consists of fibre rich foods and lean meat that are ideal for our busy lifestyle, this also does not provide a lifelong solution to the problem,” says Nivedita. The obsession with being fit has increased tremendously in recent years. Be it books, advertisements or even the zillion websites that guarantee you permanent weightloss solutions, all of it bears testimony to this fact.  And men aren’t free from the fad either. Vijay, a businessman in Kochi, has been following several diet plans, though he is left dissatisfied at the end because none of them have given him a permanent weightloss solution. According to Meera, who has tried out numerous crash diets, the most effective way to lose weight and to maintain an ideal weight is to have six small meals everyday, besides working out regularly.” “An individual-specific diet, taking into account the needs and  requirements of the individual, along with identifying the problems in the present diet is the ideal method to develop a diet plan,” suggests Sharika. Following a balanced diet along with regular exercise is highly essential in the long run.” It is important to pay equal attention to the quality as well as the quantity of the food consumed. It is possible to include all kinds of foods, but only in restricted quantities,” says Nivedita. According to her, equal emphasis has to be laid on the need to chew properly and to eat in a relaxed manner. Gulping down food may lead one to binge. So, don’t be distressed and disheartened if you are defenseless against this problem of being overweight or obese. Follow these simple rules and work towards a healthier lifestyle. As the famous lifestyle and fitness expert Ruchita Diwekar says “Don’t lose your mind, lose your weight!”