'Skip taking medication to reduce weight'
Question:
Hello Clare,
I'm almost 22, 163 cm height and 56 kgs weight. I know that seems fine, but I really want to get thinner, at least below 53 kgs. I love sports, and am always working out. I do aerobics, jogging and gym almost everyday, but my appetite increases the more I do sports. Maybe my metabolism runs faster and better but I feel like my fat is not being reduced. It's been four years since I started sports as a habit, but I have never weighed below 52 kgs.
I have taken medications to help me reduce my weight, such as fenilfuramin (a Chinese medication), and merit (a local product) and even slimming cream. They only worked for a week or two. Can you give me any suggestions as to what I should do? For your information, I stopped eating rice a year ago because I wanted to reduce my carbohydrate. Is it safe taking medication to get a better metabolism? Hope you can help me, and thank you.
-- Jen
Answer:
Dear Jen,
Yes, your weight is fine, but, being honest, many people (mostly women I have to add) do want to be a little slimmer and to weigh a little less. So, let's see what we can do safely and effectively.
Keep up with the sports. It's great that you love exercise and nothing is better for continuing weight control. With your increased metabolism and your firm and strong muscle tone, you should have a good appetite. This is all very healthy Jen! Incidentally, remember that muscle tissue weighs more than fat, so judge your size on how your clothes fit rather than what the scales say.
It comes down to what you are eating. And unfortunately, here is a warning. Yo-yo dieting, in other words continually losing weight and puting it back on, is the worst thing you can do for long term weight management. Each time it will be harder to lose those kilos and three times as easy to replace them.
Stop eating fatty, sugary or fried foods, especially junk foods and drinks. Eat unrefined natural foods, never miss meals, have snacks of fruit and fill your plate with vegetables. Feel full and satisfied with pulses and lean protein. You need some carbohydrate; have whole grains but avoid white flour products including white bread.
Don't take medications to reduce weight. They never work long term, are a waste of money and can also be dangerous. Any substance, chemical or drug which changes your metabolism has the potential to become addictive.
Be prepared to lose weight slowly. Try slightly reducing portion sizes or leaving a little uneaten food on your plate at each meal. I know that sounds boring, but small and slow losses have a better chance of staying off and you are more likely to avoid the yo-yo problem. Learning to change your eating habits in your normal environment will mean that you can lead a normal social life in the future, without regaining the weight. Good luck.
-- Clare E. Urwin
Question:
Dear Clare,
I read your articles in The Jakarta Post. Now I want to ask you about Low blood pressure.
1. How can we identify Low blood pressure?
2. When and why do we get Low Blood Pressure?
3. How can we treat Low blood pressure?
Could you please advice what should we take for our diet? My husband has low blood pressure. He is 40, height 163 cm. and weight 54 kgs. Is this a normal weight?
Please advise me. I am waiting for your reply. Thank you.
-- Mrs. L.M.
Answer:
Dear Mrs. L.M.,
Low blood pressure is called hypotension (high blood pressure is called hypertension.) Your blood pressure measurement actually tells you how much pressure it takes to stop the flow of blood through your arteries. This is assumed to be equivalent to the pressure at the pump end, your heart.
A doctor or other qualified person will use an instrument called a sphygmomanometer to take two measurements and the combination is represented as a fraction. For instance a normal blood pressure reading for adults varies between 90/60 to 160/95. However, more than one single reading on one day is necessary to be really accurate.
You sound concerned about your husband Mrs L.M., but, if he feels normal and well, there is nothing to worry about. Always remember that it is much healthier to have low blood pressure than high blood pressure. It all depends what his usual blood pressure condition is. If it's always been low - that's fine. Some people just have lower blood pressure than others.
Only when there is a sudden drop in blood pressure (of about 30 points), does it mean there is a problem. Causes can include a heart attack, shock, trauma, a sudden allergy, dehydration or toxicity to drugs.
Obviously this type of emergency would require medical care. Alternatively, symptomatic hypotension will cause frequent dizziness and fainting.
So, normal low blood pressure should not be diagnosed as a disease. Your husband's weight is good and if he feels fit and normal, just continue with your usual healthy diet. No treatment required! I hope this relieves your mind but if you are still at all anxious, please talk to your husband's doctor. Good luck.
-- Clare E. Urwin