It’s that time of the year again, when people try to make up for their heightened cholesterol count by suddenly going to the gym. It’s a universal cycle. Halfway around the world, we see a city is trying to lose a million pounds. If you think about it, no one is to blame. Anyone who’s not vegetarian and is able to resist Lydia during the holiday season is inhuman.

Just the other day, I decided to kickoff my post Christmas diet by indulging in a few simple sacrifices to “get back in shape” again. I’m no fitness expert (those who need something to get them started should buy *ehem*, Men’s Health Magazine), but if you happen to find yourself wanting to lose weight gradually, here’s a short list you can follow.

1. Two words: Brown Rice. I’m not even going to post some weird explanation on why this is so, but any nutritionist will tell you that this will be more beneficial for you than white rice.
2. Unless you’ve got money to spend, lay off the yoghurt. It’s so typical for Pinoys to “project” themselves as healthy by trooping to the supermarket and buying as much yoghurt as they can. Honestly people, it won’t matter if you’re one of those people who go to Kentucky Fried Chicken and eat the skin last because you think it’s the best part. One yoghurt cup costs what, 25-35 bucks? That’s equivalent to around 5-6 bananas you can snack on.
3. Don’t friggin’ skip meals. Not only is it unhealthy, you end up eating MORE once the hunger comes back. Eat something light ever 3 hours and you won’t won’t go hungry.
4. Isa pang sakit ng mga Pilipino — punta sa gym, kuha ng pinakamabigat na dumbell na kaya, tapos buhat. Bad ass ako pre’! Lifting heavy weights will not make you lose weight. Keeping your heart rate at a steady pace for extended periods of time will. Think 20 minutes on a treadmill 3x a week and you’ve got it made. Never ever over exert yourself. Magkakasakit ka lang.
5. Buy an expensive bike or gym membership. Why? Because you will be forced to use it
6. Watch what you eat. Baka pagkatapos mag gym or basketball, derecho naman sa Aysees.

Finally, the smartest piece of advice I can give — When you’re trying to lose weight, please do it for yourself and no one else. Don’t do it because people think/say you’re fat. And please, don’t do it to impress someone. Believe me, the pressure to lose weight almost always makes its way back to your midsection.