Slimming Down & Shaping Up

- Verne Maree

If our bodies are temples, does yours feel like the Temple of Doom? With the silly season a possibly hazy memory, and Valentine’s Day to look forward to, February is a good time to repair the damage.

It’s no secret that a multipronged approach gives the quickest and best results. You may have heard it all before, but here’s a quick reminder.

Firstly, diet is the main key to losing unwanted fat – but it’s not just about calories. Back in 1972 – can you believe it was that long ago? – Dr Atkins Diet Revolution first busted the low-fat, high-carb diet myth and instead promoted a diet that restricts carbs like sugary foods, pasta and bread in favour of proteins, healthy fats and vegetables. Taken on board as a plan for life, low-carb eating works. Done properly, it’s healthy, it’s relatively easy and it really does keeps you satisfied. In short, I’m a fan.

I’m also a fan of the 80:20 rule: that you eat clean, nutrient-dense foods 80 percent of the time, and allow yourself to indulge 20 percent of the time. Knowing you can have the occasional tiramisu or glass of bubbly makes the low-carb option a lot more sustainable.

Exercise is of course the second prong, so get moving! If you haven’t yet found one or more sport or other activity that you really love doing, now’s the time.

Diet alone may be enough to trim fat, but exercise burns calories, raises your metabolism even when you’re not on the go, improves mood and mental health, and dramatically reduces your risk of just about every disease we dread. That’s partly because physical activity can reduce ageing related inflammation in the body.