Healthy Habits

Q: Can you tell me the details about Biomesosculpture? How does it help in weight reduction? Anonymous
A: Biomesosculpture uses natural physical means that stimulate the body’s own functioning to release trapped toxins through the bodies’ own system. It is a natural and non-invasive procedure.
This procedure is done with the Biomesosculpture cupping machine and all-natural products. This procedure uses a technique to pump the trapped fluids (toxins) from the extra-cellular matrix, caressing the skin in a cupping motion while massaging the lymphatic gland. This causes the glands to drain and ultimately flush away liquid stagnation and form new healthy skin cells. By draining this build up to the main lymph or macro lymph it allows the cleansing mechanisms of the body to work optimally. Pumping toxins from the micro lymph (where there is stagnation) to the macro lymph (the main lymph) results in firming of the skin of the face or any other part of the body. Biomesosculpture helps in removing stagnation and in toning any part of the body like face, tummy, buttocks, thighs, breasts etc.

Q: I am an 18-year-old girl with weight 70kg and height 5’6 inches. How can I convince myself to eat less? Rabia, Karachi
A: Rabia, you have asked me a million dollar question; I wish there had been a remedy for excessive eating. But the reality is there’s no single approach towards excessive eating. This habit of overeating is something that needs extreme self-control, patience and motivation. When a plate of biryani or a bowl of French fries is served in front of us it becomes very difficult to control our hands and mind from gorging. The
motivation to control appetite and eat less comes from within – and the biggest motivating factor for all of us is our health. By eating more we make ourselves vulnerable to many diseases.
There are different ways through which we can try to eat less like:
· Having meals on proper time
· Not skipping meals
· Eating in small serving plates/bowls
· Not eating every now and then
· Avoiding binging
· Not eating from packets/boxes/bags, but eating from plate/bowl so that quantity can be controlled
Additionally, as a Muslim if we follow the Sunnah of Prophet SAW, we can learn to eat less as Prophet SAW always used to eat less than his total appetite.

Q: I love soft drinks, but I am overweight and want to reduce weight. Can you please guide me? Is it okay to have diet drinks? Minhal, Islamabad
A: Diet drinks may have their use in the short term — particularly if you are dealing with a sugar addiction — but an excess of diet drinks can be harmful for our body. I encourage you to resist both regular as well as diet drinks, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
There is another point I would like to highlight which most people might be unaware of: diet drinks may not have the sugar or calories of regular drinks, but they are full of other chemicals, like caffeine, sodium and phosphoric acid. This is even more dangerous when people consume these drinks on a regular basis. Their regular consumption can lead to different problems, prominently loss of calcium from bones.
There’s no harm in having a diet drink once in a blue moon but please try to avoid their regular consumption.
Additionally, a physical workout is also important along with switching to diet food.

Q: I am a 28-year-old girl. My weight is 45kg and height 5’6 inches. For the past few months, I have been losing weight at a fast pace (about 1kg per week). What can be the possible reason? Ujala, Karachi
A: You are already underweight for your height. Losing more weight is certainly not a good sign for you. There could be different reasons for weight loss. First you have to make few observations on your own. Notice if you are stressed, over-worked, having exams, anxious because of some family matters. All of these can be a reason of lack of appetite and likewise weight loss. If none is the reason then check for presence of fever, cough and other medical problems. If you observe something unusual then go to a good doctor. Additionally, get a CBC and a Thyroid profile test done.
I would strongly suggest you to take the matter seriously and consult a good doctor.

Q: I am a 30-year-old woman and I am conceiving my first child. Can you suggest a diet plan for me? Javeria, Karachi
A: Take a good, balanced and healthy diet. Take meals on proper timings. Emphasis should be placed on taking nutrients rich food like fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, cereals, beans, nuts. Minimize the consumption of fried and oily food as it can be a major cause of heartburn and acidity during pregnancy. Additionally, it is very difficult to get rid of the stored fat after delivery.
Another approach which is useful during pregnancy is to have small but frequent meals. Especially with morning sickness and frequent vomiting this approach is really useful.
Engage in some light physical activity like walk, yoga, stretching (with your gynecologist’s permission).

Q: I am a 16-year-old girl with weight 63kg and height 5’4 inches. Obesity runs in my family. Can you please tell me how I can reduce weight and how long will it take me to reach my ideal weight? Momal, Hyderabad
A: Healthy weight for your height is 47kgs to 61kgs. It will be good if you can reduce your weight to 60kgs. You can easily reduce these extra kilograms in two months.
Follow these useful and helpful dietary tips:
· Try to reduce your intake of butter, fatty/cream cheese, cream, mayonnaise, chips, nimko, sweets and all the fried food that is a part of your diet.
· Also be careful about your food portions. Take smaller ones.
· Take more fruits and raw salads without any creamy dressings.
· Eat home-cooked food.
· Cut down the intake of confectionaries, soft drinks and sweets.
· Switch to low-fat milk, low-fat cheese and low-fat yogurt.
· Drink an ample amount of water.
· You can do brisk walking, aerobics, and cardio exercises. All these exercises burn calories and keep body in proper shape.