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Have you ever spent several hours in front of the mirror trying desperately to determine what to wear? It should be pretty and look good on you—something that will make you look slimmer. If you’re a bit chubby, you’ll opt for darker shades like black, blue, purple, or brown. These colors help hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. Ever wondered why mannequins wear size XS clothes while the people who check the dress are typically size L or XL? 

Customers shopping online for clothes usually write a review complaining that it doesn’t look as pretty as in the photo when they put it on. The main reason is that the model is a size 2 and the customer is a size 14. However, stores have a solution for that as well. Have you purchased the tummy shrinker that will conceal your protruding lower abdomen when worn? I have one of those, a body shaper. The best part is that it is available for both men and women, and it really does highlight your shape by concealing what is excessive. I also purchased a sewing machine so that I can personalize my clothes. Something lovely that will not make me look chubby.

Losing weight does not imply judging your body; after all, health is not defined by size, shape, or weight. We are to love and accept our bodies, and taking care of them demonstrates how much we value them. Stop focusing on what other people’s bodies look like and instead concentrate on what you like about your own body and what you want to change. If you don’t feel comfortable watching those baby fats try to come out of your pants, do some abs exercise and limit your sugar intake. If it is not a big deal, however, leave it alone, but make sure you have a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index). Although BMI alone is not clearly a perfect measure for health. But it’s still a useful starting point for important conditions that become more likely when a person is overweight or obese. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems including diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, several types of cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension, and sleep apnea. If you want to read the consequences of being fat or obese, you can find it here. 

Furthermore, I decided to lose weight for reasons other than vanity or fashion. As I gained weight, I began to experience severe low back pain. At first, I presumed it was only due to the incorrect way of carrying heavy objects or incorrect positioning as I assist in carrying my patients, or it could be due to prolonged sitting while transcribing medical reports. I also experienced pain in my left knee, which led to knee effusion. Of course, I blamed the old knee injury for my knee pain, as well as eating too many processed foods. Chest infections and difficulty of breathing are also frequent, which I immediately attribute to my childhood illness aka asthma. Blood pressure is beginning to rise above normal. The same is true for blood glucose.

Then a friend encouraged me to try to lose weight, which I did after much deliberation and deep thought. I’ve tried several diet plans, but none of them have worked for me. It’s either because the meal plan is complicated and I don’t have a lot of time to prepare it, or because I get bored with the regime after a month or two. Then someone introduced me to the ketogenic diet and how it can help you lose weight quickly, which I didn’t try right away due to the overwhelming negative feedback.

My curiosity was piqued once more when a friend who happened to come across it suggested I try it. I immediately began a Low-Carb High-Fat (LCHF) diet, consuming viands and avoiding rice, noodles, bread, potatoes, and anything starchy. Rapid weight loss motivates me. I don’t mind if I just lose water as long as the number on the scale goes down. Another friend is also on a low-carb keto diet, and we support each other, especially when others force us to eat noodles and rice. For Asians like me, who eat rice or noodles at every meal, a low-carb diet is extremely difficult! We also enjoy pandesal (or Filipino bread rolls) for breakfast!

When I started to plateau (after losing about 5kgs), I did the three days of low-carb meals and two days of high-carb meals, then I started working out almost every day for 30 to 45 minutes at first, then gradually increasing it to an hour or more. I also alternate between high-intensity workouts on Sundays, low-intensity workouts on Mondays, leg exercises on Tuesdays, and lifting on Wednesdays. Honestly, as I do a one-minute plank, I realize that it is far too easy to lose weight and stay in shape when you are in your twenties, but big challenge happens when you double that age with the capital letter C. All is well that ends well. It’s just a matter of persistence and correct grocery list. If you don’t know what to eat, just eat boiled eggs and drink a lot of water.

There is no such thing as overnight success. You didn’t gain weight in one day, so don’t expect to lose it in one day. Your body will not change in a week, but you can develop healthy habits that will impact the rest of your life. You must work hard to achieve your goal. You will feel frustrated and depressed at times, especially if you run into some roadblocks (e.g., keto flu, weight stall, sore all over after your first workout), but don’t let that stop you from reaching your goal. Keep on doing what you should be doing, and when you feel like quitting, encourage yourself and remind yourself why you started.  I’m in maintenance mode, which means I’ve already reached my target weight and currently concentrating on fat loss and muscle growth.

I’d like to emphasize once more that this is not about punishing yourself with all the restrictions in the world. This is to ensure that you are both healthy and happy. When you exercise, you are not punishing your body for what you eat; rather, you are celebrating what your body is capable of. If you care about your family, you should prioritize your health because who will care for your children if you are sick and in bed? Do not wait for illness to start valuing your wellness.It is never too late to begin losing excess fat. I understand that buying larger clothes is easier, but that is not the issue. There are still many risks associated with being overweight (such as hypertension, coronary diseases, diabetes, and so on), and losing those extra pounds may prevent, slow, or even reverse many of them.

Taking care of your health today will give you more hope for tomorrow.