When we enter a new year, we start it off with resolutions. The resolutions mainly revolve around good health with goals to chuck off the extra weight from our bodies. In our series of healthy weight awareness, we have been trying to bring forward the different strategies of staying healthy directly from the experts.

Vrunda Shah, Founder, Basil Nutrition Centre, has experience of 7 years as a Dietician; she is a Certified Nutritionist from NIN (National Institute of Nutrition), and a Diabetic Educator.

Focus should be on inch loss rather than weight loss 

Vrunda says that the body mass index [BMI] is just a reference point provided by the World Health Organization, “It’s ultimately about how much fat you lose. The focus should be on inch loss rather than weight loss. There is nothing to worry about if you have lost some inches and still your weight is stagnant on the weighing scale. It could be due to gain in muscle mass which is absolutely a good sign,” she says.

Prevention is the only cure 

Vrunda sheds light on the subject that, “In our country, the challenge is to keep reminding people about the prevention measures about which they already know but do not follow. They have a tendency to keep wellness below sickness. People start walking regularly after they have suffered from cardiac arrest or they start controlling their diet after being diagnosed with diabetes. They require to be reminded constantly to take prevention measures before they have faced any health crisis rather than starting after that. What we need not forget is that prevention is the only cure,” she says.

The four pillars of optimal health and weight loss 

Vrunda points out the four pillars that would lead to good health and success in weight loss initiatives:

“Balanced Diet Regular Exercise Adequate Rest  Positive Mental Attitude

All these four pillars are of equal significance. If one is working on these four pillars consistently then weight loss would be easily achievable,” she says.

Consistency in healthy lifestyle is the key 

Vrunda explains that forming a habit of healthy lifestyle is vital for optimal health, “Weight loss should be aimed with a motive of not only losing the inches but with the motive to attain overall health and fitness. The key mantra is dedication and motivation. No bills and cheques would help in absence of these when it comes to weight loss,” she says.

(Edited by Amrita Priya)