by Jonathan Fong
Lab Director, Racers’ Toolbox

Are you exercising regularly and practising strict discipline in your diet but still not reaching your weight-loss goals? Do you feel confused by all the weight loss programmes available in the market endorsed by celebrities and wonder if they work? Before you embark on your journey to weight loss with a vigorous exercise routine or sign up for a programme to help you zap the pounds away, do consider checking in with your body first.

Do What The Pros Do

Professional athletes count on personal data to manage their weight, improve their workouts and optimise their performance. The technology, once only available to the elite athletes, is now available to you, the regular exerciser. This information is very useful especially for someone who wants to lose weight.

Sports science has proven that losing weight is not just about how many calories are being burnt,  but the amount of calories being burnt that should be made up predominantly of fat rather than carbohydrates. When you exercise harder, your body needs more fuel to maintain the activity. This means that either fats or carbohydrates will be converted to fuel, but when the exercise intensity is not within the optimal fat-burn zone, carbohydrates end up being the only source of fuel being used. Now, you can find out your personal fat-burn zone through a laboratory-based test.

Losing Weight Without Exercise--Fact or Fiction?

You have seen, heard and read many stories of technologies and programmes implying that exercise is not needed to lose weight. Is that possible? Unfortunately, in most cases, these methods may help you lose weight through loss of water and fluids. The effects will not last if exercise and a good diet are not incorporated into any weight-loss programme or treatment.

Go back to the basics and believe in the age-old wisdom of diet and exercise if you want to lose weight permanently. The new rules now preach moderation and wise choices in diet plans and using sports science to guide your exercise for optimal impact. Weight loss through consistent exercise at the right intensity not only improves your state of health, but also helps to maintain the “new” you. After some time, you will be able to burn fat even if you’ve missed a workout session! A regular exercise routine at your optimal fat-burning zone will eventually help you raise your own metabolic rate naturally. You can fully make use of your body’s fuel once your body is taught to choose fats rather than carbohydrate to meet the basic daily energy requirements.

Burn Fats, Not Carbs

The optimum fat-burning zone is subjective to all individuals and cannot be generalised. Most often, it is at an intensity surmounting to a brisk walk or jog, which is achievable to all individuals. If your goal is to burn fat and not carbohydrates, taking your dog for a walk or riding a bike at the beach for 20 to 30 minutes regularly could prove effective enough.

Keep in mind that there is no shortcut or a quick fix in exercise and weight loss. Your ultimate goal in losing weight requires a lifestyle change that incorporates exercise and a well-balanced diet. Set specific goals and take advantage of your access to sports science methods to help you reach them sooner. Also remember to watch your carbohydrate intake. Large amounts of carbohydrates, which are mainly made up of sugars and starch, will greatly reduce the body’s ability to burn fat. However, carbohydrates are essential to help the body recover from any vigorous activity so don’t drop it from your diet completely either. Focus on planning an active lifestyle that you will enjoy so you will have better success at keeping it going. 

Jonathan Fong is Lab Director at Racers’ Toolbox where you can get tested to find your optimal fat burning zone. The lab also offer a weight loss programme customized to your test results. Tests and programmes are sold separately and make great gifts! Gift vouchers are available.

Racers’ Toolbox is located at 18 Jalan Masjid, #01-04 Kembangan Plaza (opposite Kembagan MRT). Visit www.racers-toolbox.com for details of all our tests or call 6846-8461 for an appointment.