As The Program draws nearer to a close this weekend, I am feeling rather sad. I have gone a long way from when I first started, even though it was just ten weeks ago.
Before, I wasn’t very much aware of calories, exercise intensity, food categories, and food proportions! Even though you might laugh at me for that, but if you joined The Program, you would be surprised. The food pyramid they jammed into our heads when we were younger? That should be the guideline you follow forever.
Most of those who joined The Program were either referred to by their doctors, or they needed to lose weight because if they don’t, they won’t get their bonuses this year, or they wanted a better, healthier lifestyle. I had to be honest with myself, my peers, and the MOH officers there: I joined because I wanted to lose weight and look good. Plus, having your doctors drone on and on about your BMI and how fat you are are getting a bit too much. Got too boring, really.
But as I go through the program, I was in for more than just losing weight. I was in for a lifestyle change. A major shift in the food area, which was a bit difficult because, trust me when I say, I love my food. However, after a few lectures, you start to find out how many teaspoons per day should you have your food in oil, you kind of learn fast. And after all that was taught, we practiced it, and not only did I lose weight, I felt really good about myself. I rarely get headaches, which I often get after work, and I just feel like I am living right.
All this goes down to our dietitian, psychologist, and ‘trainer’. Hahaha.
The dietitian, Nura, has been very good. She doesn’t take your excuses, no sir. There is no reason for you to skip your three main meals of the day, and no reason for your lack of calcium intake. There is no such thing as, “Inda pandai minum susu.” And with her plan, she’s got the food diary going on, which enables you to monitor what you’ve been eating! Personally, this is great practice, because you will realize just how much you have consumed for the day.
Mun, the psychologist, has been great as well, teaching us to focus, now that we have achieved full awareness of living healthy, and to maintain that lifestyle. She taught us how to stop listening to other people’s taunts, like, “Eh, jangantah dulu exercise atu. Makan tahhh. Enjoy!” Which is great, because mentality is the key to maintain this lifestyle. She also taught us that we have to have belief in ourselves in order to be successful.
Bryan is also very good to us, prodding us slowly with his workout plan, which is, to start slow. If you are not fit, don’t push yourself. Go slow at first, then if you can do better, go to the next stage, then the next. I didn’t have much problem in this area, but with The Program’s exercise regime, I have a newfound favourite pastime: Hiking! :D (Even though I don’t get excited when it rains. :P )
The rest of the officers at the Health Promotion Center has also been very, very supportive. I will miss them loads when Saturday comes and goes, even though we are still welcomed to use their gym and swimming pool. The latter, in which, I have found great fun! ;)
If you are interested in a healthier lifestyle for yourself, find out at the Ministry of Health’s KBS at the Health Promotion Center, over at Commonwealth Drive, nearby the Ministry of Finance. The gray building with the colourful squares. Those who have a lower BMI than 30 might not be able to join, though. But I think you can work something out with them at KBS.
The Program is KBS, by the by, and it stands for Klinik Badan Sihat. :)
