By Errol Lim, Physiotherapist
Many said it would be most difficult to maintain my recent weight loss and health gains. They weren’t wrong!
With my family being away for the best part of a month, it was an opportune time to catch up with mates. Mates don’t just like sipping cups of tea and snacking on chick peas which makes maintaining my weight more of a challenge. With this in mind, I went to the “Oracle” (or at least this is what I call my dietitian these days). Monica’s words of wisdom were to stick to the spirits and try to avoid beer. She of course told me to drink in moderation. At the same time to avoid soft drinks and snacks like chips and definitely to stay away from that midnight kebab.
So over the last month, I occasionally had a low-carb beer; I cringed when I ordered a bourbon and “diet coke”; and I snacked on fruit when sipping on a scotch (“neat” of course as there was no diet coke to be found). As for the kebab, I relented by not eating the Lebanese bread and just asking for extra salad.
Somehow, I coped whilst my family was away. I even increased the exercise sessions to 5 times per week. I had defeated the first challenge. The next and harder challenge awaited me – my holiday in Korea.
It is my 3rd day in Korea. The joy of seeing my family once again soon overwhelmed by the constant whingeing and tantrum throwing. Despite this, I am determined to overcome the threats to my diet and general well-being. I am ready for what the holiday can throw at me. This is what I have had to face thus far:
Day 1: straight to my favourite restaurant in Seoul direct from the airport. Amazing Korean BBQ with my father-in-law eager to share a shot of rice wine or two with me.
Day 2: I managed to avoid rice for most of the day until dinner. This rice dish was the 5th course and there were only 3 adults at the table. It was then followed by a mountainous dessert.
Day 3: More was to come today. The dreaded buffet! Another family favourite so how could I say no. Seoul surely has thrown its diet challenges at me but I have since learned to eat in moderation and also to watch what I eat. It hasn’t been as difficult as I have possibly described. Exercising daily in the sweltering heat and humidity has also been extremely helpful. I’ll try to take some pics of where I exercise and post it on the next blog.
Someone, please share your holiday eating journeys with me. I am sure I can relate to your story no matter where you are in the world.
Errol Lim is a physiotherapist and a director of BJC Health.
BJC Health provides a connected care multidisciplinary team philosophy to deliver positive lifestyle outcomes through a holistic approach to those with degenerative & inflammatory arthritis, tendon injury and lifestyle diseases. Our clinics are located in Parramatta, Chatswood and Brookvale. Contact us.
This blog focuses on arthritis-related diseases, healthcare in general, and our Connected Care philosophy.
