Equity Mag Jan_18 Book Folder

WELLNESS
WELLNESS
talk
Keep fit with the latest in wellbeing
trends and studios in the city
Meet Amir Siddiqui, founder of
Symmetry Gym, one of Dubai’s
most exclusive facilities for
personal training. Here, the fitness
expert answers topical questions
to suit our busy lifestyles
Q
A
I’ve been hearing rave reviews of the Keto diet.
Could you please tell me more about it from
your perspective - is it worth trying?
I'm not one for simplistic cookie-cutter replies, but
if you would prefer my experience and researchbacked
opinion right off the bat, without delving into the
empirical and scientific reasoning, the answer is simple:
The keto diet is the wrong diet for 99.9 per cent of the
population and will do more harm than good.
The long answer: The keto diet's popularity is
inversely proportional to its effectiveness for fatloss.
Initial weight loss is quick, but that's because
you lose water and the glycogen (stored form of
carbs in the body) that holds the water in your cells
and tissues. So, it doesn’t cause fat-loss at all. But
you end up losing water and glycogen, plus the fact
that the latest research shows you end up losing
more muscle than on other diets which do not
lower carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are demonised
for no good reason. We love finding scapegoats for
our over-eating, over-indulging lifestyles. It used to
be fat that we thought "caused" obesity. Now it's
carbs. It's neither one of those. Any macronutrient
excess (eating too much of anything) can result in
adiposity (the flabbiness). Period.
Keto and low carb dieting can be notorious for
regained weight, if not well maintained. Why? People
need carbs for optimal brain functioning, mood, and
health. Not eating carbs for a little while gives you a
kick of energy - but that is an "emergency" response -
a result of increased stress and all its devious
hormones. The key to fat loss is simple. Exercise
more and eat less. No specific exercise or particular
nutrient type is responsible for any physiological
effects, negative or positive. Everything works in a
cohesive net of an effect.
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
It’s time to jump on the healthy eating bandwagon with a
meal delivery service. You may be satiating hunger pangs
with anything in sight, and eating more than your required
carbohydrate or calorie intake. This leads to lethargy, lack of
optimal cognitive functioning and a few extra pounds that
you are well aware will take a few workout sessions to get
rid of. With the launch of THE LUNCHBOX, all that can
change in a jiffy. Nutritious meals are available with the fat,
calorie, protein and carbohydrate content of each meal
measured ahead, so you don’t have to. All dishes are glutenand
sugar-free, and the diet is apt for those suffering from
Type 2 diabetes, as it is low in carbohydrates.
Meal plans are available from Dhs193 for lunch (weekly),
Dhs760 for lunch (monthly) and Dhs1,490 for lunch and dinner
monthly (five days a week). A la carte options are also available
as daily meals. lowcarb.ae
HOT IN HERE
The latest fitness centre to pop up on the scene, and one to
enjoy a class at with the ladies, is DRYP in Dubai Marina. The
sweat hub offers hot yoga and fitness classes conducted in
40-degree heat and +40 humidity. We can’t wait to try the
90-minute Hatha yoga and the hot yoga sculpt to boost
metabolism and build muscle with upbeat tunes playing in the
background. Quench your thirst after at The DRYP Kitchen,
where you can find everything from fresh coconut water to
dairy-free smoothies, kale snacks and parfaits. dryp.ae
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EQUITY