Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Products I will never endorse : Part I

Recently I made an issue at my workplace because I refused to be part of promotional exercises for a slimming product during our ground events. It's not that I was being calculative and asking for money to say this brand name – it's the fact that I have to put on the product and be seen in public like I support it when I've been pretty outspoken against these products out of personal principle (and common sense). And really, I don't want to perpetuate lies against my own gender.

First of all, most of them are marketed by people who a) Have never been fat their entire life, and b) Lost weight on proper diet and exercise (and probably are celebs with personal trainers and such). So these ads are really, like many -- lying to you.
The whole slimming product market is built on, and reinforces, women's insecurities and ignorance about their bodies -- and the sad truth is that they're only there to make money from (pardon the rudeness) stupidity and desperation.
Even the most extreme of measures - surgery - can't keep you slim and beautiful. No way if you're still gonna scarf down that char koey teow and fried chicken like you're a 30-kilo Sungei Wang resident. And definitely not a chance in hell if you're not going to make the minimum 30-minute, 2 or 3 times a week of exercise.
As a person who's always supported the idea that good eating habits and regular exercise is the only way to attain, and maintain, desirable body weight/size (barring the incidences where one is suffering from medical conditions that result in obesity of course) – these products are a farce.
Sometime ago I talked about a new slimming centre in my (now defunct) column. It boasted machines that moved your limbs for you – so you can "exercise" without the effort! No real work needed to burn that fat, huh? They actually threatened to take some kinda legal action (even though I didn't name them but hey, siapa makan cili….) but then I retorted by asking for some kind of scientific proof that it actually worked…. And then it was left at that.
Look, there’s no shortcut to getting the body you want.

It’s a three-part process :

1. Eat Right.
You gotta have a balanced diet, and remember that as age progresses, your metabolism drops. So your college-age binges on potato chips, soda/alcohol and nasi lemak will hold on tighter to your ass now -- with twice as much effort to lose. Start knowing what you put in your mouth because the older you get, the more the phrase "you are what you eat" will apply to your physique.

2. Regular Exercise.
A body in motion is a body that's not going to let last night's hokkien mee plaster itself to your thighs too long. So why do many cardio-bunnies (brainless hours spent doing cardio to no avail as seen at our gyms) still look flabby, you ask? Well it needs to be combined with (1). And you need to know what you’re doing at the gym. Challenge yourself, break barriers, you body is built to do more than what it's doing now and it CAN if you work on it.
Running not your thing? Walking is just as good. But at a nice brisk pace that keeps your heart pumping.That’s the whole thing. Keep your heart pumping, oxygen flowing to your limbs, muscles at work. And if you don't like the whole sport thing, fine – you can try dancing, yoga, martial arts… it's all about getting that body moving.
30 mins, three times a week. Hard to start, I know. But once you do, and make it part of your routine, you'll not only look and feel better – most importantly, you'll be healthier and fitter, sleep better and have more energy during the day!

3. Face The Facts.
If you're 5'4", brown-skinned and a little tubby, don't expect to miraculously turn into Mischa Barton/Lindsay Lohan/Paris Hilton or any of those other skinny-assed model-types. Look at your body and learn that while you can work out and eat smart to a leaner, healthier, fitter YOU -- there are some limitations you need to accept.
I've learnt that I can never have long, slender, miniskirt-friendly legs -- but the stubby ones I do have are athletic and I've made the best out of it by being a runner. I'd like to rest with the thought that my legs may be short, but at least muscles keep it tight and firm instead of jiggly and cellulite-wrinkly.
To make this short (pardon the pun) -- make your body the best that IT can be. Don't try to look like other people -- factors like genetics and money (for nutritionist, personal trainer, life devoted to making oneself look better because one's livelihood only depends on how good they look) influence these things.

My main priority? To be healthy and fit. To be 50 and carrying my own shopping bags instead of having to ask for help cos I'm too weak to walk up the stairs.

And no stupid slimming service/pills/products will give you results like this. Only YOU can.

3:56 PM

Comments:

Well said RINA! I fully endorse and support your suggestions and views about staying healthy and all that hype bout slimming products and gadgets... As a personal trainer , the best advise you can give someone who wants to feel and look better is to get your ass off your chair and start moving! Doesnt matter if its just a 30min walk in the park or a hardcore training session with a personal trainer...all you need is a strong will power and a goal to get you sticking to your cause...

I highly recommend people to watch "The Biggest Loser" as it will inspire people who think they can never get healthy or never be fit.. THAT THEY CAN..

Hats off to you for standing by your principles and i hope this will inspire more people to not go for the quick fix anymore :)

# posted by

Anonymous : June 20, 2006