THE THING ABOUT STAYING THIN

Waking up today at 6:45am to hit the gym, I am not happy, I am a grumpy mess. Reluctantly power walking to the Radisson Blu Hotel Gym and Spa next door...I kept motivating myself and muttering “It is for the Greater Good’….’What Greater good?  I asked myself… its simple “You don’t want to be FAT’…Yes I said the “F’ word.

Growing up I never thought there would be a day in my existence I will have to care about staying thin. I was the girl everyone called Stock Fish or Dried Fish in High school because I was so skinny my collar bone stuck out. My dad always joked that I was too skinny to become any African mans Bride....hahaha…funny yeahh…. However as I left my teenage years and hit my early twenties…the struggle not to add an inch on my waist line per every plate of rice I consume began. I noticed I couldn’t get away eating like I used to as my body was changing.

 In the Fashion Industry where most dresses are sample size zeros…it is definitely not the way forward. I mean Tyra Banks retired from modeling because she said she could not survive on eating only cabbage for the rest of her life.  Uber model Naomi Campbell recently credited her super skinny/toned body at over 40years old as down to “Zero Carbohydrate and loads of exercise” According to Naomi “Carbs are Luxuries she cannot afford’.  Super model Kate Moss “Legendary Said “Nothing Feels Good as Skinny Does”…so typical but this is the industry we live in…the society we are surrounded by. The pressure on women in general not only in the fashion industry to shed the pounds or remain Thin is mounting. What is healthy, what is safe? Why should we conform?

Recently at the African Fashion Week London 2012, I overheard the head stylist whom I have worked with several times in the past years saying “Cynthia and Ajok are the skinniest here….if those dresses can’t fit them..It won’t fit any other model”…I chuckled shyly because it was apparent she still was working with my old measurements and hadn’t realized I was about 8kg heavier. As fitting went underway…it became apparent that I was struggling to zip up the sample sizes I could previously wear hitch free…. She asked “Cynthia have you put on weight? …everyone was listening…all eyes on me ….I was embarrassed. In reality I went from weighing between 49 to 51kg to fluctuating between 58 to 59kg at 5”10inches tall… yeah that’s a crime….shoot me.

After the fashion shows, I knew I had a decision to make. Should I continue on my path of not caring about excising and eating healthy and invariably pack on the pounds or do I adopt an alternative lifestyle?  . Firstly I tried to convince myself that it’s not about staying thin but staying healthy. We are a product of what we put into our bodies I said but am I speaking the truth or am I merely battling to stay within the agency standard model requirement? .  Alternatively I should perhaps bow away from the scorching eyes of industry scrutiny and settle down to enjoying the daily heavy rations of my favorite crisps, pastries, fried rice, kebabs, curries, pasta and pizza. However I wouldn’t want to be that girl who needs help getting up from the couch so that’s kinda not an option

 I am not yet convinced on my aims moving forward or the figures in KG I need to stay within. I am however convinced to overhaul my lifestyle. Nothing can ever be achieved without hard work…staying fit, strong, healthy and thin is my mission. I will embrace the long sustainable route while incorporating some safe help but never a quick fix.   It is time I developed an alternative feeding/lifestyle. Below is my process, my journey and it is working thus far.

The Process:

1.       Start every Journey to staying thin or getting to your goal weight by detoxing…cleansing those stored toxin in your body will enable your body reboot itself and become well equipped to start afresh. Some people swear by different types of herbal tea for detoxification but I have seen the use of a simple laxative such as Ducolax to be most effective. This cleanses your system and helps start the process.

2.       Incorporate drinking an early morning herbal tea full of antioxidants to your everyday life. I recommend Wu Long Tea Which can found on www.slimmingsolutions.co.uk. It is claimed to not only help increase the body metabolism to speed up weight loss but also helps reduce the effect of harmful agents thereby fighting signs of ageing whilst maintaining the skins vibrant and youthful look.

3.       Diet Patches which suppress appetites and junk craving are the most important and not negotiable. It is a must have in this process. Diets Patches are most effective for people on the go as they tend to be invisible. Paste on a patch every morning, forget they exist and carry on with your daily activity. I strongly recommend Slimming Solutions 30 -1-a Day Diet Patches or Boot Body Camp Body Slimming Patches. Everyone I have recommended them swear to its effectiveness.

Diet Patch

4.       45 minutes at the Gym…three times a week minimum. Each section should consist of the use of thread mills, cross trainers, power plates, and the exercise ball. Each targeting the problem areas such as the thighs, lower abdomen and arms.  Working out can be really boring so make sure you have your favorite tunes jamming away…this truly helps.  Stay hydrated by drinking sparkling/citrus or cranberry punch. I recommend the use of a personal trainer for the first 2weeks of starting up to keep up the motivation and develop a work out pattern suitable for your body type and need.

5.       Using the Steam room is absolutely my favorite. Its benefits has being listed to include detoxification, increasing blood circulation, moisturizes the skin by opening pores and weight loss. Research shows one can burn 600 calories per 30 minutes in the Steam Room. The alternative is the Sauna which produces dry heat and can be uncomfortable….not my favorite.  Most guys however prefer the Sauna whilst the ladies go for the steam room. However alternating the use of both Sauna and Steam room has proved effective. It is most effective after 45 minutes at the Gym, take a 15 minutes break to relax the muscles and then use the steam room or sauna on a 20 minutes interval.

Me...Cynthia @ the Steam Room Recently 

6.       Cutting down on eating carbs is absolutely important. For the first few weeks I suggest a total elimination of carbs then slowly incorporate them back into your diet in small portions. For my diet now, I start my day with a bowl of cabbage or tomatoes soup and fruit salad. Afternoon I have quaker oats (porridge) with slices of banana and honey. Night is an alternative of lean proteins, grilled chicken caesar / avocado salads (no dressing) and wheat noodles. I snack on almonds, olives, grapes and belvita healthy biscuits. The golden rule is to substitute all soda/fizzy drinks with sparkling water or fruit punch drinks with no sugar content/ artificial colorings or preservative.

7.       It is alright to cheat or treat yourself once in a while to ice creams, chocolates or your favorite food/snack. However the key rule is not to become a serial cheater and portion control is absolutely important. Do not feel defeated or guilty when you have eaten something you shouldn’t. Get over it and continue the process. That’s what is important…make sure you continue and don’t go back to the old ways.  Keep a daily food diary. 

8.       I am not a fan of Diet pills but for those who need the extra help. The best selling is called ‘”Slim Bomb”… however it is more of a dietary supplement to this alternative lifestyle than a magical wand to fix the problem.

9.       Stay Positive and motivated, I always say…”I can do it…it is for the greater good’. If you say you can do it then you can. Look for a gym buddy or someone with same goals as you to help you when you’re less motivated.

The thing about staying thin is definitely not  a straight forward route or an easy process however whether you struggling like myself to maintain your old body type or you want to gain a new body by losing a few pounds. Make sure you are doing it for your own benefits and not conforming to societal pressure….only then will you reap the reward…..That is the greater good.