Image courtesy of Microsoft Copilot
by Dr Rahim Said
We’ve all been sold the same story: “Just exercise more, and poof, your belly fat will melt away like an ice kacang in the sun!”
Hold on to your gym memberships because that’s not exactly how it works.
If you’ve been slogging away on the treadmill, huffing and puffing in the hope of seeing your abs one day, yet your nasi lemak belly is still standing firm — welcome to reality.
Take Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser, the guy who used to scream at contestants to “work harder!” Turns out, even Bob had to face the cold, hard truth: you can’t outrun a bad diet.
You can squat till your legs fall off, but if you’re still devouring that extra plate of char kuey teow, your belly’s going nowhere.
Here’s the truth no one wants to admit — your weight loss battle isn’t being fought at the gym; it’s happening at the dinner table.
That’s right, folks. It’s what you’re eating that’s holding you back, not what you’re lifting. You can pump iron all day, but if you’re scarfing down roti canai like it’s a race, well… let’s just say your six-pack dreams are as distant as next year’s general election.
And here’s the kicker: exercise, as great as it is for your heart and mental health, won’t do much to shed the kilos unless you cut back on calories. You might have strong muscles, but they’ll be nicely hidden under a layer of lemak unless you start skipping the second (or third) serving of rice.
Science backs this up — if you want to lose weight, it’s all about eating less, not working out more. Cutting calories is way more effective at slimming down and can even reduce inflammation, which — get this –makes you age slower and live longer.
So, you can keep churning away on that stationary bike, but without some serious changes to your makan habits, you’ll just be the fittest person in the grave.
Now, before you toss your gym shoes into the trash, I’m not saying you should abandon exercise. It’s great for your overall health and sanity, especially if traffic in KL drives you up the wall.
But if you’re eyeing a flatter tummy, put down that teh tarik and start practising some portion control.
Here’s the magic formula: fewer calories = less fat. It’s that simple, and the best part? It’s free. No need for expensive gym memberships, personal trainers, or the latest fitness gadget that promises miracles. Just eat less, and your waistline (and wallet) will thank you.
So, how do you lose that stubborn belly fat? Quit overeating. It’s as simple as that.
Dr. Rahim Said is a human behaviourist and regular contributor on digital media platforms. He is a professional management consultant, a corporate trainer and an executive coach specialising in coaching senior executives and individual entrepreneurs to modify their behaviour in the pursuit of their cherished missions. (The views expressed by our columnist are entirely his own)
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