Elaine Yap

Natalie, the healthcare professional at XNDO met me with a bright hello. We discovered we have some habits in common: we both eat every few hours. She gets hungry every 2-3 hours. I only get that in the mornings. In the afternoons, I get hungry every 4 hours. And when I get home, I need a supper…sometimes several suppers depending on what time I sleep.

Nat asked if I take breakfasts at home or outside. I told her I take one inside and another outside, which seemed a bit of an anomaly to her and she could not stop laughing. Then she asked if there is anything I don’t eat, which was nothing really. I can even eat worms and locusts and proceeded to complain about how in Australia, on an educational bushwalk, I wanted to eat grubs but the guide refused me this favour. And of course Nat had to ask all these questions to plan my XNDO meals. They should seriously consider the “Crunchy Locust Booster” which I believe is high in protein.

Based on my current eating habits, Natalie deduced that I take too much carbo and excess carbs turn to fats so I need to modify my diet to include more protein, a palm sized portion for main meals and to include more greens. Proteins use more energy to breakdown compared with carbs. This I kind of know all these. My mom even lost 10 kg on a low-carb diet. But I always thought a little bit of carbo, like flattery, doesn’t hurt too much.

In any case, besides low-calorie meal replacements, I am given a full ammunition of “carbohydrate-blockers” which I need to pop one when I eat my usual meals, crunchy broccoli snacks and MCT coffee and MCT coconut drink. MCT stands for “medium-chain triglycerides” which help to suppress hunger.

From my test results, I am generally healthy and within healthy range. I just need to cut down on fat percentage.

I am told I should continue with my thrice a week jogging which is very good and on the other days I should at least brisk walk (I intend to climb steps) and do 30 reps of 4 sets of exercises involving twists at waist, “chest-opening” exercises which look like a giant clapping action with straightened arms, bicep curls and one where we stretch to our calves. Apparently we start to burn fat after at least 20 min of activity.

Back on the results…OK, I believe my heart beat should be lower since I am exercising and capable of running 10 km no less. It’s just that I said something to make Nat laugh and that made me laugh and hence I will measure my heart rate again and let you know soon.

Nat didn’t have an easy time as I kept asking when I can lose 10 kg. She said let’s start with 5 kg first and generally seemed very confident I can lose inches and burn off fats.