Real weight loss

It has been a long time since I last posted on this blog. I do know that I have little (or no) readership, but it does not faze me because that is the whole point of me starting this blog. I wanted it to be ad-free, and obviously having no readers, if anybody were to read my posts, they would know it comes from a person who really wants to share her unbiased, honest opinion with no vested interest whatsoever.

These days, how rare is it to find a real review when most reviews are sponsored and paid. That is what usually happens to me. Being a discerning consumer, I usually Google reviews for a particular product. But I soon realised that they're mostly posted by the company itself, or by bloggers who are sponsored.

My cynicism is not unfounded. Take for example the recent womenshealthmagazine.com Garcinia Cambogia scam. Having been lured by the catchy headline on a Facebook post about painless and easy weight loss, I decided to do some research on the new "miracle" supplement.

What I unearthed just proved my point and deeply cemented my cynicism. Though I have not personally tried the supplement, I have read about its caffeine-like metabolic side-effects and that is enough to put me off trying it.

Personally, I don't think there is any single easy, painless way to lose weight safely. As the adage goes, "No pain, no gain".

I currently am controlling my weight with Optifast, having been recommended this truly miraculous product by Dr Lee of The Sloane Clinic after he refused to prescribe me any medication. (On a sidenote, this is what I call medical ethics. I am not fat, I'm just not thin, and I suppose he cared about my health too much to prescribe any medication.) I later found out from my best friend in NZ who's also a surgeon at a hospital in Auckland, that her colleagues prescribe Optifast to their bariatric patients before lap-band surgery. Hey, if doctors are excited about Optifast, and the world is talking about it, then count me in!  

While it really works, it is not a supplement. It merely is a meal replacement, and aids in dieting. Dieting is by no means painless! My dieting sisters, I'm sure you know what I mean. I'm a huge foodie, so much so that going vegetarian is something almost impossible. Some days I go vegetarian to pay penance for my sins (psychologically I feel like I have less karmic debt when I don't eat killed animals), but God knows how tough it is to stay away from the temptations of the meaty "flesh".

That said, I found interesting flavours of Optifast in Australia--banana milkshake, coffee and the newest addition to Optifast, Caramel! They really taste better than the Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry ones which are the only ones we carry in Singapore. Plus, they're much cheaper. I've happily carted some boxes back from Australia and NZ, so if anybody does want to try it, I can let it go by the sachet at cheapsgskincare.wordpress.com.

Good taste and interesting flavours notwithstanding, you can imagine how tough it is for me to go on a solely Optifast diet, which is the most effective way to lose weight in a short time. Thus, I substituted only one meal with Optifast at the start. And cut down on carbohydrates. No rice, no bread, but more of the main dishes. When I do indulge in sinful stuff or overeat, which happens a lot unfortunately, I take Fancl's Calorie Limit before I eat and Perfect Slim after the meal. Or more like either one since my indulgences are usually not planned. And well, it has been working. It has been more than a year since I did the expensive and frankly, not so effective, Cryolipolysis, but I'm still in shape. Still struggling to maintain my weight since I hardly exercise, but at least it hovers around the BMI of 21.

Recently I've also introduced Yakult, Apple Cider Vinegar and Aloe Vera pills into my diet, which has helped in my bowel movements. The occasional Aojiru青汁 (or powdered Kale) as well. Now I go to the toilet for the big one at least twice a day, while before I used to go once a day or once in two days. A combination of all of these changes to my diet has helped me lose weight healthily with higher-than-before energy levels too.

To detail what I do to keep the pounds off,

1. I start off my day with two cups of very dilute Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. I dilute it this much because I have a weak stomach with frequent gastric problems.
2.  Replace one meal of the day with Optifast 
3. Limit my carbohydrate intake. Do not take more than two scoops of rice per meal. When I feel hungry, I take yoghurt or drink Optifast.
4. When I do indulge, I take 4 pills of Fancl's Calorie Limit half an hour before. And/or Perfect Slim after the meal. They're all-natural, and I've inspected their ingredients. Fancl's Calorie Limit probably just helps you poop better while Perfect Slim has high extracts of chilli so it supposedly helps you burn the fats off safely. I trust Fancl wholeheartedly. 
5. Take a bottle of Yakult after said heavy meal.
6. And, I'm taking Avalon's Aloe Vera pills now, two a day, if I feel like I've eaten too much in a day. This acts as a healthy laxative.