The Journey Begins

~ The next few entries are what took place over the past 2 months or so. I have been keeping my own journal, but I'm only just starting to publish these entries on this new blog. ~

So,

I have decided. I need to lose weight. I WILL lose weight. The final straw was when one of #2’s classmate’s mummy asked me point blank, “When is your EDD?” I have no idea who was more embarrassed. She or me.

Before this, I had been offered seats on the MRT trains quite often. Some colleagues and associates have also asked me if I was expecting a third child. (#2 is 21 months). On top of that, a health screening at Raffles Medical revealed that my body fat percentage was on the high side. Any further increase would technically place me on the “obese” category. The bad cholesterol in my body was also a tad high (I hardly exercise, save for carrying the kids and housework). The doctor advised going on a diet to lose weight. My initial thoughts were, “Do I need to lose weight? Although I wear size L, I’m not round/plump….” Well, after the comments from colleagues and friends, I decided, I just needed to get in shape. And I want to do this the healthy way (i.e. no starving or skipping meals – skipping meals also very likely mean insufficient nutrient intake, which would be counterproductive. Not to mention making me feel miserable at the same time. I enjoy eating). I generally take rather healthy meals, with the "occasional" indulgence (my typical breakfast would be oatmeal + fruits, lunch is salad or sometimes pasta / rice, if I have appointments, dinner is usually rice + steamed fish + vege, thanks to the kids. It’s easier to adjust our foods to suit the kids than have to cook them separately). But I was still looking pregnant! Perhaps it’s my late nights up, plus my indulgences (chocolates, snacks etc) may not be as occasional as I think. Oops.

A friend introduced a weight management programme to me (I prefer to call it a health management programe, as it not only helps one to lose weight and get in shape, it can also be used to build up health), by Nu Skin. It is called TRA® – The Right Approach. (I like how that sounds).

The TRA is not just a weight loss programme. It also teaches / encourages one to eat healthily, ensuring that our bodies still obtain the necessary nutrients it requires for optimal function. Part of this is through watching what we eat and making sure that we eat on time. The programme advocates eating at every meal (there is no need to skip meals), just eat the right foods (no snacking on chips, but it’s ok to snack on vege and fruits). The other part of the healthy weight management is via nutritional supplements, to ensure our bodies are able to function optimally. While on this program, I can eat normally except to cut down on my carb intake, overly sweet fruits like lychee / papaya, and to avoid fried foods and chocolate (ouch!).

One thing that attracted me to TRA is that this programme takes only THREE months to complete (no need to continue taking subsequently) and that there will be no rebound in weight (provided we follow the instructions well, with regards to the healthy eating and exercise). This could be due to the fact that our bodies would have gotten used to eating healthily by then (imagine, three months of healthy eating daily…would have kicked any bad snacking habit too). I don’t mind that, afterall, who would complain against healthy eating, if it’s going to leave you in a much better state? :)

The daunting thing (it’s ok once you get used to it) is having to swallow a total of 29 capsules daily (throughout the entire day, not all at once).


The other attractive thing about TRA? There is no need to work out at a gym. Just simple exercises - walking around during lunch, brisk walking, alighting 1 bus stop earlier to walk that extra distance, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator...all free and one can do them at any time of the day. One can go to the gym if one wishes....it's up to the individual, and depending on what works better for the individual.

I compared the TRA with Herbalife and a TCM weight loss approach. I decided that the TRA was better for me as it aims to educate and put into practice what we probably already know very well - the need to eat well. I purchased the TRA programme (a hefty sum, IMHO, but towards a better lifestyle) and embark on this health transformation journey. Let’s see how the progress will be… :)