How was your last date with your bathroom scale? Did you like what you saw, or did the numbers get you down?
Data released by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) reveals that the average Singaporean is 3 kilograms heavier and has more chances of overeating than they had 15 years ago. If this situation is not addressed, Dr. Annie Ling warned that the obesity rate in Singapore could reach 15 percent. The report also shows that the onset of weight gain is associated with the period when people begin to work.
Based on his Adult Body Mass Index (BMI), a person whose weight is significantly higher than what is considered normal for his height is considered overweight. And obesity is when the weight is at least 20 percent higher than what is considered normal. People who are overweight or obese are highly prone to chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or stroke, cancer, and breathing problems.
The sad truth is that though we are aware of the risks, our busy lifestyles often distract us from keeping our bodies healthy. We tend to lose sight of the essentials and the next thing we know, we can hardly recognize ourselves in the mirror. Most of us probably don’t even realize that there are everyday habits that we have that can lead us to gain a pound or five. Let’s break down those habits, shall we?
Skipping meals
Not eating your meals doesn’t make you skinny, but it actually causes you to build up fat. The American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who skip breakfast were 4.5 times more likely to gain weight. But do you think about food when you’re busy at work?
If you’re a person who is always on the go, you could prepare oatmeal or cereal. You could also grab some fruit and protein-rich food like eggs and nuts to fuel your body.
Watching TV while eating
When you eat while you are watching your favorite TV show, you tend to forget how much you have already eaten. Research from the University of Birmingham shows that people increase their food intake 5 times more when they are distracted by television viewing.
So if you want to turn on your TV tonight, pick a veggie snack or 2 cups of popcorn.
Drinking soda
Even if it’s a Diet Coke or a Pepsi Max, drinking soda can expand your waistline. A new study suggests that artificial sweeteners found in sugar-free carbonated drinks are associated with weight gain. Researchers discovered that people who consumed zero-sugar pops regularly had an increased BMI and are at risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
While soda may be a substitute for coffee because of its caffeine content, water therapy is better for keeping your system healthy. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day helps to flush out toxins.
Sleeping too much, or too little
Too much and too little sleep can cause belly fat and sagging thighs. According to Wake Forest University researchers, individuals who sleep less than 5 hours and those who sleep for more than 8 hours have the tendency accumulate more fat in their organs.
Chasing deadlines and urgent tasks are among the reasons why we deprive ourselves of a good sleep. Stress and extreme fatigue, on the other hand, cause us to sleep longer. Try to manage your schedule so that you can get an average of 6 to 7 hours of sleep per night for better weight control.
Eating too much fast food
Dr. Mark Pereira, professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota, says that fast food menus are packed with fat-, sugar- and calorie-rich options. Frequent visits to these restaurants can result in excess weight and health risks.
Fast-food restaurants are the go-to’s for busy people who have no time for a good homemade meal. Try to order a la carte because if you opt for a “combo” or “value meal”, you are susceptible to eating more than you should.
Having a sedentary lifestyle
Our contemporary world is centered on convenience. Instead of walking, people drive their cars, take the elevator, and order online. A recent study suggested that little to no physical activity decreases the function of the enzyme called lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which helps burn fat.
Does your job entail long hours of sitting? Stand after every 30 minutes and perform some office workouts. Quit being a couch potato and start enjoying the outdoors – take a walk, jog, or exercise.
Break those unhealthy habits and develop positive ones through hypnotherapy.
As Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” Our lives and what we look like today are essentially the product of our good and bad habits. Most of us think that altering our habits is a huge struggle because they have already been embedded into our day-to-day activities. On the contrary, hypnotherapists help us to realise that everything we need to succeed is already within us.
Hypnosis is a tool that works on the subconscious mind and delves into the root cause(s) of bad habits. Directly addressing the cause paves the way to a quick and effective transformation, which is the inception of good habits. Hypnotherapy helps you to break those negative habits that lead to weight gain, and to replace them with positive attitudes, feelings, and beliefs for better weight management.
You can be the best version of you. Seek professional help, get in touch with Consulting Hypnotist Johnny Lee in Singapore at +65 9785 6255 today. The initial consultation is FREE of charge.
MindLife Consulting International offers the best of both Hypnotherapy and Life Coaching in Singapore.
“Let us help you reclaim your freedom to realize your full potential.”
Call us at +65 9785 6255 for a FREE Consultation, or e-mail [email protected].
MindLife Consulting International LLP also regularly conducts hypnosis training courses:
- Hypnotists Certification Course (NGH)
- Self-Hypnosis Course
Visit www.mindlifehypnotherapy.com for details, and do like and follow us on Facebook for updates. We are also on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+.
