Want to make a change in your health and lifestyle? Meera Murugesan talks to an expert for some insight
LOSING weight and staying fit can be a real struggle and challenge for some people.
Joanne Puah, regional event and public relations manager for Celebrity Fitness Malaysia provides some answers for individuals who want to make a change in their health and lifestyle.
How should one select a fitness regime?
Look for one that suits your level of fitness or at least one that can be easily regressed or progressed to your level.
Also look for one that gives eating guidelines meaning it teaches you how to choose what to eat instead of specifically what to eat.
How often should one exercise?
Anywhere from three to five times a week. You should be doing a wide variety of exercises that cover resistance training (lifting weights, functional training), cardiovascular training (running, aerobic classes) and flexibility training (yoga, stretching) to improve your overall fitness.
Are certain exercises off limits for overweight people?
They should avoid high impact movements like jumping and even running as it is bad for their joints. They could use regressions like box squats (sit on a bench/chair and stand back up) or alternatives to running like cycling or rowing.
What are the mistakes which can happen?
Trying to do too much in the beginning and going for more advanced or complicated exercises that others are doing.
This usually results in some of them falling off their regime or in worst case scenario, getting injured. Always stick to the basics first at a maintainable pace and only advance when the results are stagnating.
Why do some people never lose weight despite working out?
Being in a food heaven like Malaysia doesn’t help. Many people assume that since they are working out they should be able to eat more.
Why do people regain weight after a fitness regime?
Most people go on a streak where they train very hard and have very strict rules with food for a short period of time to achieve certain goals.
However, they do not consider whether they can live like that for the rest of their life. Like everything else, training and eating habits should be in moderation and progress at a reasonable pace so it can be sustained.
What should be the fitness goal?
Many people do not realise that weight loss or any fitness goal is not a destination; it is just the first step towards a lifelong journey of moving better and looking good doing it!
How important is family support?
Very important. Because it takes a lot of courage for someone to admit that their current lifestyle isn’t healthy and even more courage to change it. So give them a pat on their back and congratulate them on their effort!