Zhang Hanqing丨Funny things about weight loss

In the 1980s, when I first started working, the canteen at my workplace had the same three meals a day: side dishes, salted fish, and fermented bean curd. Two dishes were added a week, but they were also a few pieces of meat floating on the soup, which was finished in a few bites. The food was not good at the time, and it was difficult to gain weight. I was skinny to begin with, and my colleagues secretly called me "Pork Ribs."

At that time, obesity was quite popular. When people saw a fat person, they would say, "You are blessed and rich!" Obesity became a symbol of being able to make money and become an official. At that time, being able to eat a big meal of fish and meat was my grand goal.

I was looking forward to it day and night: how nice it would be to gain weight! However, one time, I took a bus to the county cultural center to participate in story writing. The driver thought I was a skinny kid and waived the fare. I thought to myself: "Pork ribs are also affordable. I earned 4 yuan in fare!"

After I was transferred from the township to the county seat, I bought a "Forever" brand bicycle, using two months' salary as a back payment. I quit smoking because I was short of money, and the county canteen was usually "cheap and juicy". After a few months, I added two more holes to my belt, and my body suddenly "developed horizontally at high speed".

A year later, my weight was approaching 170 pounds, and "skinny ribs" became history. People started calling me "Fat Brother" again. The clothes, belts, and watch chains I had just bought were all "laid off".

I was reborn, a completely different person.

When the fat boy returned home, the children asked with a smile: "Where are you from?" The old father almost didn't recognize his son!

Nowadays, obesity is not a blessing. So I joined the ranks of those who want to lose weight. There are all kinds of weight loss advertisements everywhere, and each one sounds miraculous.

I spent 2,000 yuan on a "slimming pill", and after several courses of treatment, my belly was still as bulging as a pregnant woman. My wife touched my belly and "threatened" me, saying she would call the crew of "Journey to the West" and ask me to be a candidate for Zhu Bajie!

After taking medicine to lose weight, my wife suggested that I adopt the oldest diet method: vegetarian food. I only ate 3 taels of rice and side dishes every day. After a long time, roundworms grew in my stomach, but my wife said: A few more roundworms will eat up my belly.

My eyes were sunken and I walked unsteadily. Once, I even opened the refrigerator door as if it were my room door and stepped in. My wife panicked when she saw me, and quickly prepared a big lunch of fish and meat, declaring "liberation"!

I ate everything up like a hungry tiger descending from the mountain.

After eating, I touched my bulging belly and made a firm decision: life lies in exercise, and I should lose weight scientifically.

So, I get up early every morning and start running. I used to be "like a wooden chicken", but now I am full of energy. My wife clapped her hands and encouraged me: "Perseverance is victory!" I ran in the park, on the streets, and climbed hills. In three months, I lost more than 10 kilograms, my belly became flatter, and my belt became two holes smaller.

I finally realized the truth: healthy weight loss depends on exercise!

[Exercise weight loss methods: aerobic and anaerobic exercise]

The causes of obesity in the human body are very complex, mainly including multiple factors such as eating habits, genes, metabolic rate, lifestyle and environment. Usually, calorie intake exceeds calorie consumption, which leads to weight gain, and sedentary, high-calorie food and bad eating habits are the main causes of this imbalance.

One of the most effective ways to lose weight is to burn excess calories through exercise. Here are some specific ways to lose weight through exercise:

Aerobic exercise: Aerobic exercise is a type of exercise that can increase heart rate and breathing rate, such as running, swimming, cycling, skipping rope, aerobic dance, etc. For example, walking, cycling, etc., can be sustained for a long time, consume calories and increase physical fitness. These exercises can effectively consume excess calories and promote fat burning.

Anaerobic exercise: Anaerobic exercise mainly includes weight training, weightlifting, etc., which can increase muscle mass, increase metabolic rate, and help long-term weight loss and weight management.

High-intensity interval training: This is a training method that combines high-intensity short-term exercise and rest, which can consume a lot of calories in a short period of time and promote metabolism. But it is not suitable for everyone. Especially for those who have no exercise experience or are in poor physical condition, it is recommended to do moderate aerobic exercise and basic strength training first to gradually adapt to the intensity and frequency of exercise.

Long-term persistence: No matter what kind of exercise you choose, the key is long-term persistence. Only by perseverance can you see obvious weight loss results.

To achieve the goal of losing weight, exercise is essential. However, relying solely on exercise to lose weight is often ineffective. A reasonable diet structure and controlling calorie intake are equally important. It is best to combine exercise and diet, and develop a personalized fitness and diet plan under the guidance of professionals.

Author: Zhang Hanqing, science writer, practicing patent agent

Review丨Lai Xinlian Public Nutritionist