Getting rid of those holiday pounds!

The holiday season has come and gone. Those of us who were not disciplined enough to resist the lure to binge on the traditional foods that tempted us in such wanton proportions now have to wrestle with the post-holiday pounds, which have become quite noticeable and in some cases constitute a health dilemma.

Getting into that favourite work suit or party dress is now parallel to a trek to the Blue Mountains. Many of us never actually make it to the top, and if we do, the toll of the hazardous climb invariably leaves us exhausted, panting for breath and with a little skin discolouration here and there.

Frustration, depression and hopelessness are some of the things experienced by persons in this position. However, there is no real need to despair, as those holiday pounds do not have to be permanent. By following a few simple tips, those extra pounds can disappear as fast as they accumulated.

Nutritionists and fitness experts recommend "good old exercise", which is one of the most effective ways to lose weight and stay in shape. No doubt, many persons find it a challenge to stick to an exercise regime, but there's no need to worry. The experts suggest that you choose an activity that you enjoy doing, whether it is dancing, skipping, jogging or plain walking. If you cannot make it to a gym, the living room or any spacious and clutter-free background setting will do perfectly fine.

Additionally, not to be ignored are the less systematic activities such as opting for a flight of stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of driving to the nearby restaurant for lunch or just cleaning the house. All these activities help to burn calories.

A change in diet is also a key component in the process of shedding the extra weight, and careful attention has to be paid to what is consumed. It is recommended that you visit a nutritionist, who can then assess your situation and put you on a suitable diet. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help your situation.

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Seven healthy habits for 2008

We are well into 2008, a year that is predictably going to be extremely challenging for the individual and the entire country in both economic and social spheres. It is an Olympic year, a year when health, fitness and wellness is accorded greater prominence in the media and should attain similar importance in the race of our life.

Bearing this in mind, Buzzz presents seven healthy habits to consider in 2008. Adherence to these suggestions will no doubt set you on the path to a more salubrious existence.

1. Include yogurt in your diet

Yogurt is rich in protein, B vitamins, calcium, potassium and other essential minerals. However, its most important component is "good bacteria". A scarcity of good bacteria and a surplus of "bad bacteria" can ultimately trigger diseases, in particular, of the intestinal and reproductive tract.

Yogurt with live, active and beneficial lactobacillus bacteria increases the population of "good" bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract. It counters the bad bacteria and lowers cases of illnesses.

2. Eat more fruits and vegetables

It is recommended that an individual eats five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. However, there is always an enormous gap between the dietary ideals and actual consumption. Fruits and vegetables are expensive, but it is healthier in the long run to reduce spending on nutritionally deficient foods and stock up on these vital items. Juices, jams and jellies are, in fact, concentrated fruits.

3. Eat more homegrown food

Homegrown fruits and vegetables, foods, and meats surpass imported farm product in terms of freshness and nutritive value.

4. Drink more water

In the land of wood and water, many persons (especially children) are eating right but not drinking properly. Studies show that 70 per cent of pre-school children, a group prone to dehydration, drink no water at all during the day. In our sweltering climate, it is important that both adults and children drink much more water to quench their thirst.

The benefits of water include moisturising the skin, flushing out toxins, and keeping the body hydrated. It also helps to regulate body temperature.

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