Last updated 20:11, Thursday, 06 November 2008

LIPOSUCTION, tummy tuck, silicon and Botox – it’s a never-ending list in the world of body perfection.

It used to be a list only woman would produce but now men want a similar type of perfection.

In some instances, where there is no other option but to have cosmetic work, I can understand the need but when there is an option I think the world has gone crazy.

I recently watched a show where a certain celebrity was getting liposuction and a tuck here and there. One thing stood out already and that was there was no real need for this person to go through painful cosmetic surgery.

With a carefully planned training programme this woman would have been able to see considerable differences in just six weeks. Instead, she paid a huge amount of money for a tube to be plunged into her side while fat was drained from her midsection.

This woman wasn’t willing to change her lifestyle or ways and the funniest aspect of it is she will pile all this weight on again.

Breast implants have also become an immediate accessory in the world of glamour. So many women are desperate for the perfect breasts that once is never enough. Even men have got involved in silicon to gain a bulkier chest.

It’s sad but true. What can be done to rid the world of this epidemic?

It’s never been so true than in today’s fast food world. Pizzas, takeaways, chocolate, fizzy drinks and high colouring in many foods add to the fat percentage you consume each day.

Dependent on your body type, most fat hits the obliques (sides of your waist), arms and the back of your legs. These fatty deposits are extremely hard to get rid of but they can be done if you follow a strict nutritional programme.

I discussed this several weeks ago but a 48-hour recall on your food intake is important as looking on paper at what you’ve eaten might shock you.

From this 48 hours’ recall you will notice the bad foods right away and also a pattern on what time you eat. If you eat too late at night, consider the foods you intake. Fatty foods will increase your chances of obesity.

Consider the breakfast you have. You might be under the impression that by not having a breakfast you won’t get fat, when in actual fact this will increase your body fat. No breakfast means an increased risk in bingeing on bad foods during the morning. If you manage to have a breakfast that maintains energy levels through the morning and keeps you full, then you have hit the right balance.

Eating only breakfast, lunch and dinner might be some people’s perception of a good structured programme. In some instances it might be but when combining training with a nutritional programme it’s important to have smaller meals throughout the day than three major ones.

This will feed the body and help maintain your metabolism, which in turn keeps fat burning at a premium.

Food consumption is one thing but fluid intake is equally as important. Think of your body as a car. Your car requires oil in order to keep the engine lubricated and in working order. Your body needs the same kind of fluid in order for you to stay hydrated and to burn fat during the day.

Water is considered the best fluid for this and if you can try to get at least 2½ litres a day then this should be sufficient.

Eating straight after training and fuelling up before training is another concept you need to get used to. High-protein moderate-carb intake just after training and low GI an hour before training is best.

Chicken with plenty of vegetables after training would be the adequate balance, whereas beans on wholemeal toast for the pre-training snack will give you energy throughout your training session.

Your diet should consist of a good balance of good carbs and high protein. Fat intake should be low and good fats like olive oil should be consumed. I would consider 60:30:10 as the perfect balance.

Be careful with the carbohydrate intake as too much of it can really deter from keeping lean. Don’t eat too much bread and, where possible, eat granary bread. Keep potatoes to a minimum and pasta should be wholemeal.

So we have started on the right lines. Maintaining this will enable you to train harder and better.

So, it isn’t rocket science. You can improve your body and save yourself the pain and cost of cosmetic surgery.