She transformed her life miraculously and told me the secrets

2 weeks ago I met a very dear friend after 7 years and I couldn't believe what I saw. In her late 30s, she looks happier than ever before. In simple words she was looking hot!

This wasn't the case when I met her 7 years ago. She had just given birth to her second child and here she was, without a career, plump and overweight, age catching up and a few grey streaks making their presence felt.

Ironically, she was applauded in the family for what she was doing. "It was her duty!", she was reminded often. And she was beginning to accept that this was her life and this is all it would ever be.

But then...here she was. All powered and radiating.

I couldn’t stop myself any longer. I had to know her secrets.

She was happy to share her story and what follows is a summary of small steps she took that had powerful impact on her life.

First, she decided to take her body seriously. She knew that she has to begin with feeling good about her body. Only then she can transform her mental and emotional state.

So, here are 5 things she did and if you follow, you too can control your health and that of your dear ones. 

- Tip 1 : Shun the Sugar

In the year 2000, the average global population was consuming 20gms of sugar per day. By 2014, that number stood at 55gms per day. How did that happen? Sugar slips into your diet in 70 different forms and is an integral part of processed food and it is 10 times more addictive than cocaine.

Moderate your consumption and you will see the impact on weight and your energy levels.

Firstly, replace processed sugar with natural forms like jaggery, honey, coconut sugar (by the way, coconut sugar doesn’t taste as coconut-y as you would imagine).

Secondly, a bigger impact comes from eating less ‘sugar’ that enters your body via processed food and beverages, bakery items, sweetened breakfast cereal and sugar laden energy bars.

1 glass of packaged and processed juice contains 20-25 grams, (i.e. 6 teaspoons of sugar!)

- Tip 2 : When it comes to carbs, choose ‘COMPLEX’

The ‘SIMPLE’ carbs found in refined flour products like breads, bakery goods, pasta, polished rice, fruit juices, are easily digestible and known to create blood sugar spikes and cause inflammation, insulin resistance and eventually diabetes.

‘COMPLEX’ carbs on the other hand are high in fibre and take time to digest in the stomach – like our Indian millets, whole grains, whole fruits, pulses and legumes.

For example, if the impact of white, parboiled rice on blood sugar (glycemic index) was 100, the impact of bajra (millet) is only 55.

Instead of regular atta rotis, try rotis made from soya, jowar (sorghum) or bajra (pearl millet). Combine rotis with a simple vegetable curry or dal and you have a complete, nutritious, low-calorie meal.

Also include whole fruits and vegetables in your diet. They are naturally filling and can help with weight control. Apples, peaches, plums, watermelon (my favourite!), oranges and kiwifruit are great weight loss fruits and taste amazing as well.

- Tip 3 : The thin line between thirst and hunger

The same part of your brain is responsible for interpreting hunger and thirst signals, which can result in mixed signals. You should aim to eat every three to four hours -- if it's been less time than this, you might not be truly hungry.

So, every time you feel hungry at an odd hour, try drinking water. Research suggests that drinking water before meals reduces calorie consumption and controls eating. Sipping lots of water burn more calories so you lose more weight. Drink water before meals and regularly during the day.

- Tip 4 : Portion Size control

Eat in a smaller plate and you will probably eat less and lose more weight. A small plate tricks the mind into believing that the plate is ‘full’ compared to large plate sizes.

It is essential to read the serving sizes on packs before consumption. While your pack of cornflakes mentions 30gm as one serving, 30gm is nothing more than 2-3 tablespoons and consumers usually tend to overshoot portion sizes unknowingly.

Here’s a bonus tip for you:

- Tip 5 : Bonus tip!

Avoid crash diets!

Sudden ‘crash’ diets may deliver quick results but they are extremely unhealthy and will eventually affect both your physical and mental health. Often, people who lose weight through a crash diet put it back on after only a few weeks. Follow a healthy weight loss diet plan instead and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

What did you think about these 5 weight loss ideas? Is there a particular topic you’d like information on? Let me know in the Comments section.

Label Blind is committed to spreading nutritional literacy so you can make better food and lifestyle choices, reduce your dependence on unhealthy foods and enjoy a long, healthy life with your near and dear ones. Write to us at [email protected] if you need more information about the foods you consume and how we can help you achieve your health/fitness goals.