It’s important to recognise and accept that obesity is a serious health condition. Incorrect eating habits, poor lifestyle choices, lack of exercise and stress are fast becoming the prominent reasons for this condition. Diet and exercise are the right way to go, but we’re ready for more permanent lifestyle changes. We spoke to weight loss expert and bariatric surgeon, Dr Muffazzal Lakdawala about what it takes to stay fit and healthy in the longterm.
“The one advice I give everyone is to make healthy eating a part of your lifestyle. There is no point in doing it for a while and then getting back to consuming what you like because your weight is bound to go up then. Until you bring a change in your lifestyle there will not be a permanent change. In fact I am not talking about massive changes but small switches that are not difficult to follow,” says Dr Muffazzal, who has recently launched his first book, Eat-Right Prescription.
Making the healthy switch
“Like any chemical process, bariatric (weight loss) surgery can also fail and have side effects. We often suggest surgery when everything else fails; it is an option only to the morbidly obese. But otherwise, there are other options which are way better and give more effective results,” says Dr Muffazzal.
According to him, simple things make a big difference. One simple change that he believes we should start with is skipping sugar. “This change is extremely underrated but so important. Just give up sugar and you’ll see the difference.” explains Dr Muffazzal. The need of the hour, according to him, is to eat healthy. “90-95 per cent Indians are either unhealthy, obese or starving. Eating healthy is way different from not eating at all. Healthy food can be tasty too. The important part is to incorporate it in your daily life,” he adds.
Simple health policies
His book talks about how prevention is better than cure. Dr Muffazzal gives a lot of importance to consumption of local produce such as bajra and jowar instead of kale and avocado. “These local ingredients are multi-grains with complex carbs, which automatically make them healthy. But the more important thing is to follow a healthy pattern of eating,” he adds.
His health policy is very simple: eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. “Always remember to have your dinner at least three hours before you retire. This gives you enough time to digest the food,” he advises. Dr Muffazzal, who admits to having a sweet tooth, occasionally indulges in sweets like Gajar ka Halwa and Ras Malai.
Personal fitness formula
Time is luxury for Dr Muffazzal. “I juggle between long working hours and erratic travel schedules which leaves me with literally no time to work out. But I make sure to eat healthy and pick the healthier options even when I am travelling,” he says, adding, “Of course I have my cheat days where I indulge but when I am on the go I completely stay away from sugar,” he adds.
On most days, especially when he is working late hours, Dr Muffazzal avoids dinner. “As soon as I notice my pants getting tighter or my waist expanding, I stop eating heavy, greasy meals. When you start at the first sign, you can control the damage.”
Of carbs and proteins
Muffazzal loves to try his hand in the kitchen. His loves steamed fish cooked with ginger and garlic. He is also a big fan of quinoa pulao, especially when it’s prepared based on the recipe given by actor Salman Khan’s mother. “Quinoa is full of complex carbs which are healthy and high protein. Plus, the dish itself is delicious,” he shares.
“With age your weight will go up. A normal human being puts on approximately five kilos in a decade and this is unavoidable,” says Muffazzal, as we wrap up. Remember, balance is key!
