CityPages Kuwait June 2016 Issue June 2016 | Page 60

THE ROAD TO FITNESS DUBAI-BASED FITNESS GURU RANIA GAMAL’S SWEET SIX TIPS TO AVOID DIABETES AND OBESITY Dubai-based fitness guru, model and TV presenter Rania Gamal vows to fight diabetes and obesity which are 2 of the top killer diseases in UAE through six healthy tips that might direct anyone to a path of healthy lifestyle. “Every time people ask me for my secret in keeping in shape and being healthy, I always tell them that I was not born like this, I also gained weight before and it made me feel, not only less confident, but weaker. I felt like its hard for me to walk upstairs or I easily get weary walking in the mall but those excess pounds and fats that I had before have given me the inspiration to live healthily and fight obesity that can be the cause of diabetes and many other diseases” Rania said. Below are Rania’s sweet six tips to avoid diabetes and obesity. high blood pressure, breast cancer and type 2 diabetes. 1) Surround yourself with good influencers 6) Do not sit down after a meal For a starter, it would be easier to find the road to fitness if you surround yourself with people who encourage you to be fit and healthy. If your friends are asking you to eat junk food, then you should be the one to be able to influence them to eat healthy. A piece of chocolate or ice cream is fine as long as its taken in moderation such as once or twice a month but should never become a habit and it will be more beneficial if all your friends are on the same boat and same goal as you are. 2) Forget about sugar One of the most important thing about diet is understanding sugar. Sugar is not a natural sweetener, it is crystalized and often bleached white. Technically speaking sugar means sucrose, a combination of 2 monosaccharides called glucose and fructose. Since the birth of sugar in United Kingdom in 1099, the rate of chronic and avoidable metabolic conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease has climbed steadily. If you are craving to sweeten your coffee or tea, it is much better to use honey. 3) Exercise in any way possible We might give many terrible excuses on why we cannot go to gym but there will never be a valid reason not to exercise. In the morning, you can do even a 30-minute walk before you go to work or in the afternoon, try some stretching during your break time. In the evening ask your partner or a friend to jog around your village or tune in to hundreds of work out videos on Youtube, that you can do at home and you can easily imitate. 4) Water is the answer Our body is made up of around 60% water and even though you have heard this many times, water is a pivotal part of your nutrition. It is the only drink that will help you dissolve chemicals in your body including toxins and it also increases your metabolism. Water provides the brain as well with oxygen to perform at its finest. Drink 2 glasses of water after you wake up, before you take your breakfast as it is one of the secrets of nutritionists themselves. 5) Fibre is your friend forever Fibre will help you normalize your bowel movement and will lower your cholesterol levels. Look for food with high fibre on the box. A highfibre whole grain intake is also connected to lowering rates of stroke, 60 JUNE, 2016 There are many people who sit down after a meal or worst they eat while they watch a tv series for 3 hours and they think it is a small issue. It is a habit that affects both your heart and your weight as the stomach is compressed between the lower part of the body and the top. This will create extra pressure in the heart as it is in the centre of the chest and might also affect its circulation. It is better to stand or walk mildly, do not run or walk hastily as it could also be the cause of appendicitis. This will help relax the gallbladder and the liver, aid in digestion and diminish pressure to the heart.