Fat’s in the Fire

How many times have you looked at the mirror and wished that the tyres around your waist would go away? That if you gave up your favourite dessert for a few weeks,the weighing scales would be kind to you? Of course,celebrities make the job a tad bit more difficult with their support of particular diets. If Kapoor endorsed six small meals a day along with yoga and the gym,Khan swore by an egg white-rich diet to get his macho frame for the action movie.

However,consultants say,the day of the fad diet is numbered. “Every new book on fitness and diet will catch on with the people,particularly if there’s a celeb endorser; but there is also a definite move towards being fit as opposed to being skinny. This year will see a lot more of gyms,a lot more of medical spas and not just in cities,” says Dr Shikha Sharma,one of Delhi’s leading nutritionists. The onus now,say dieticians,is to work your body to your advantage.

“Most people are looking for a miracle to help them look young and fit. Unfortunately,unless they put in some effort,the dream physique will not materialise,” says Dr Karun Makhija,a Delhi-based diet management consultant. So,instead of a rigorous exercise regime and a diet plan which cuts out the joy of eating,Makhija recommends moderation. “Going for a fad diet or exercising in excess will only contain the problem temporarily. Instead,discipline your food intake. Eat less of salt. Take up swimming,running,walking or yoga and you can have a healthy and fit lifestyle,” he advises.

It’s clearly a principle that has many takers. “Globally,some of the most sought-after fad diets have been the Lemon Detox popularized by American singer Beyoncé Knowles,and the banana diet in Japan. In India though,exercises like Pilates,kickboxing and power yoga have caught on. Running has become a favourite exercise. There are more marathons than before. That trend will continue. There’s also a definite drift towards natural diets and health supplements. People are beginning to take a personal approach to fitness,so instead of visiting a gym and doing a fixed set of exercises,they are opting for a customised diet and fitness plan,” says Dhruv Gupta,co-founder of http://www.fitho.in,which recently won the world’s top health blog award.

This year you’ll also do good to go organic and check with a dietician for a body-specific diet chart. “Things like Atkin’s Diet found many followers but I do not recommend a set diet since fitness requirements vary from person to person,” says Khosla. Instead,she says that the impetus should be on organic foods,probiotic products and traditional therapies. “The year will see a greater movement against chemical treatments,” she says. “Functional food with natural elements will be a big draw,” adds Sharma.

TOP PICKS FOR 2010

Herbal therapy: From teas to juices,go green to grow healthy.

Organic solutions: Opt for brown rice instead of white,cut out the white bread and munch on whole wheat ones instead. And watch the difference show up on the scales.

Oil mixes: Dieticians say that a mix of oils in the diet is healthier than restricting yourself to one type.