A journey of self-discovery and weight loss

Yes, Philippine-US registered dietitian Cheshire Que is the guide who will take us on this inspiring (and perspiring?) journey of self-discovery and she assures us that we have nothing to lose but our stubborn bulges that won’t budge.

We first saw Cheshire talk at a for-women-only (but the men came at their own risk) event hosted by Jeunesse Anion (yes, the popular brand of sanitary napkins and panty liners) to celebrate Women’s Wellness Month last March. Today, we again listen intently — with all our hearts and stomachs — to Cheshire as she delves into yet another weighty topic: mindful eating!

We tell Cheshire: Mind if we ask you what you mean by mindful eating? Does it mean that as long as we don’t mind, it doesn’t matter?

“Mindful eating is all about what, when, and how to eat as well as understanding that there are no bad foods, only bad eating habits that should be corrected by consciously observing proper meal timing, eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods throughout the day, and learning how to eat by practicing portion control and determining the types of hunger — whether it’s physical or true hunger, emotional, sensory or habitual,” she replies, whetting our curiosity even more.

As we breeze into the “ber” months, with the days getting shorter and cooler and the nights longer, what should we be eating?

Cheshire shares this hot tip: “As the days get cooler, the cold virus also renders us vulnerable unless we load up on fruits and vegetables that provide vitamin C and lean protein that provides zinc, both of which are powerful in boosting the immune system.”

Eat, Drink But Be Wary

When the “ber” months come, can Christmas be far behind? Of course, the merriest season of all is also the “eatingest,” and most of us have every convenient excuse to binge (and cringe at the thought of excess weight when it’s too late). So, how do we control our food intake at this time of the year?

“Balance is the key,” comes Cheshire’s terse reply. She elaborates, “Eat fresh produce and low-fat dairy when at home and save the lean cuts of meat and carbohydrates during parties. But remember to practice portion control and to avoid sugary beverages. Easy on the sauces and gravies! Even dressings have calories, too! Alcohol, if cannot be avoided, must be limited to one drink for women and two drinks for men. Keep yourself well hydrated with water throughout the day to keep yourself feeling full. After all, we often mistake thirst for hunger.”

Yes, Virginia, there are healthy alternatives to the usually sinful Christmas fare such as the ubiquitous lechon, big fat glazed hams, and assorted decadent holiday goodies. Check out Cheshire’s lean but mean Christmas food list: Serve roast chicken and/or a delish fish dish and see the kids’ eyes light up as bright as Christmas lights. Fresh fruit and vegetable salad topped with low-fat yogurt dressing and flavored with some herbs and spices can be a healthier substitute to calorie-laden desserts. Think mango, basil, and yogurt dressing.

Can Cheshire prescribe a diet for people struggling with their blood sugar (borderline diabetics)?

She heartily suggests: “Meal skipping is a big NO! One must eat no more than six hours in between to prevent peaks in blood glucose level. Meals must be composed of whole grains, vegetables, lean protein while healthy fat and fruit must be eaten with meals and not solely. This (ideal) combination will facilitate proper breakdown and absorption of sugar.”

More sweet talk: It’s a common belief that sweets cause a spike in blood sugar. What are the worst culprits when it comes to increasing blood sugar?

Cheshire enumerates, “Stress, lack of sleep, meal skipping, binge eating, dehydration, and excessive intake of sweets are the worst culprits. Foods that contain simple sugars like sweets can be consumed as part of a well-balanced meal. Consult a registered dietitian to know how much you can eat.”

But what really is an ideal diet?

“One that is well-balanced, composed of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats,” Cheshire describes. “Emphasis should be on the consumption of whole or mostly fresh foods; overprocessed or convenient foods should be consumed minimally or in moderation.”

Splendor In The (Wheat)Grass

Armi Montano: “Thorough colon cleansing is very effective in promoting weight loss.”

You’re promoting this wheatgrass product. How does it help keep you healthy? How does it help in controlling your weight?

Armi Montano, chief nutrition officer of Wellness Worx International, steps in to answer the foregoing questions and a few more.

Armi tells us, “Wellness Worx International, in collaboration with Philippine and USA-registered dietitian/nutritionist Cheshire Que, created the So Easy Life Changing Forum to help people go through a journey of self-discovery about one’s lifestyle which could make them lose weight, detoxify, and decrease their risk of developing obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses.”

It’s easy!  This three-month program using the So Easy Colon Cleansing with wheatgrass is combined with a three-part series of interactive workshops on mindful eating, mindful movement, and coping and stress management.

Progress monitoring is done by in-house nutritionists on a weekly basis for the entire three months.

For the first month, mindful eating will have you: 1) assessing lifestyle eating patterns — what type of eater are you?, 2) learning to identify types of hunger, 3) learning practical methods of correcting wrong eating patterns.

For the second month, assess exercise lifestyle patterns — what motivates or hinders you to exercise? Be mindful of your energy balance: calories in and calories out.

The third month is for coping and stress management. Assess coping lifestyle pattern: Are you an emotional eater? Learn coping styles and flexibility strategies for coping with stress without adding extra pounds. Learn the art of mindful breathing and scheduling your snooze.

How does colon cleansing help in weight loss? How often should we get one?

Armi points out, “Thorough colon cleansing is very effective in promoting weight loss. It is a complete diet program that replaces all regular meals for three days on the first month and one day each on the second and third months. No need to worry about anything because it provides the body with essential nutrients that are necessary for weight loss while providing nourishment. Oil palm fiber from So Easy Colon Cleanse not only removes hardened fecal matter but also helps manage cholesterol levels and excess abdominal fat.”

So, are you ready for this journey that will widen your food horizons without expanding your waistline?

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The next So Easy Life Changing Forum will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Makati Sports Club. Call 09955925747 or 09055757799.