Want to drop fat, tone your body? Fitness coach says start doing these 5 things immediately: ‘Target your abs'
Helen Laverick is a fitness coach who keeps sharing insightful posts regarding weight loss on Instagram, from workouts to diet tips. On March 31, Helen shared a post explaining five ways to tone the body. Also read | Fitness coach shares 13 fat loss cheat codes to lose weight faster: 'Water matters more than you think' Know these five ways to tone the body.(Pexels)
'First off, let's clear something up: spot reduction is a myth. No matter how many ab exercises you do, you can't target fat loss in just one area,' she said.
Here are 5 things that Helen suggested: 1. Optimise your protein intake
Aim for at least 1 to 1.5 grams per pound of your body weight. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth. It keeps you fuller longer and boosts your metabolism, making it a crucial part of your fat-loss journey. 2. Embrace weight training and hitting 10K steps
Weight training is a game changer. Aim for 3-4 sessions per week. Not only does this help build lean muscle mass (which in turn burns more calories at rest), but it also transforms your body into a fat-burning machine. Also, steps are a key essential key to fat loss and are so underrated! 3. Focus on isolation ab workouts
While you can't spot reduce fat, targeting your abs with isolation exercises 2-3 times a week can strengthen and define your core. A strong core improves your posture and overall fitness, even if the visible results take time as you lose overall body fat. Also read | Woman who shed 22 kg at home shares 5 things she wished people knew about weight loss: 'You can do it the quick way...' 4. Prioritise hydration
Water is often the unsung hero in fat loss. Staying hydrated helps regulate your metabolism, flushes out toxins, and can even reduce cravings. It's one of those underrated factors that can have an impact on losing stubborn belly fat. 5. Get quality sleep
Never underestimate the power of sleep. Rest not only aids in recovery but also helps regulate hunger hormones and reduces stress. This underrated step is vital in ensuring your body has the time it needs to repair and burn fat effectively.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition. Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Economic Times
‘Fear is profitable. Facts are boring': Masala Lab's Krish Ashok debunks seed oil myths in viral rant roasting health influencers
iStock Krish Ashok, author of Masala Lab, dismantled the growing fear around seed oils in a viral Instagram video. With sharp wit and science, he debunked myths promoted by wellness influencers, emphasizing that moderation, not misinformation, should guide our diets. (Image: iStock) 'If the nonsensical fear of seed oils could be used as fuel, our rockets would have reached Jupiter by now.' With that blazing opener, Krish Ashok — author of Masala Lab, science communicator, and self-professed kitchen nerd — tore into the rising tide of fearmongering around seed oils in a recent Instagram video that has since sparked a wave of reactions. In a landscape dominated by influencer-led panic over what to eat and what to fear, Ashok's calm, scathing, and science-backed takedown of the 'seed oils are poison' narrative has stood out. His video doesn't just offer clarity. It delivers a clinic in critical thinking disguised as a witty monologue. Over two minutes, Ashok dismantles the pseudoscientific alarmism that has made seed oils the new villain in wellness circles. 'Yes, but seed oils oxidize when you heat them.' he mockingly mimics the common argument, before adding with sharp logic, 'So does every fat. Including your beloved ghee.' He then explains that in the human body — a steady 37°C — these so-called dangerous molecules are quickly broken down into 'water-soluble metabolites headed for your bladder.' Referencing real-time health data and nutritional science, Ashok adds, 'The data shows people replacing saturated fat like ghee with seed oils consistently drop LDL and prevent cardiovascular death.' His sharpest jab? 'Meta-analysis, not memes or reels, drive dietary guidelines.' The quote, originally part of his Instagram video, has already started circulating as a counterpunch to diet culture misinformation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Krish Ashok (@_masalalab) Ashok also challenges the idea that industrial processing makes an ingredient inherently harmful. 'Industrial is not a synonym for diabolical,' he states. 'It's a synonym for I can afford oil today because extraction efficiency and shelf life exist.' He explains that refining seed oils — often demonized as 'industrial' — simply removes undesirable elements like wax, proteins, and odor-causing compounds, which is why food tastes like food and not like bitter oil. 'Pressing, filtering, and deodorizing do not magically make poisons,' he says, calling out the alarmist logic of influencer nutritionists. For those insisting on replicating ancestral diets, he offers a scalding reminder: 'Sure, your ancestors didn't use seed oils. Their life expectancy was also 35.'The final punch lands with a truth too simple to trend. 'If your diet is full of fried food and snacks, it doesn't matter what oil you use… your arteries will get hurt,' he says. In other words, blaming one ingredient while ignoring broader eating habits is both lazy and misleading. He concludes, 'Eating less food is hard. Putting the blame on one ingredient is easy.' The reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive, especially among those tired of food being ruled by hysteria. One user commented, 'Meta-analysis and not memes drive dietary guidelines! 🙌' Another wrote, 'My dad is an oil technologist… and he always says — No oil is good or bad. It's the quantity that matters.'So next time you hear someone whispering that seed oils are 'toxic,' remember what Ashok said while laughing through the science: 'The only thing getting hurt is the feeling of scaremongering influencers who do not benefit if you are calm and sensible about food.'
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Alia Bhatt's nutritionist says stop drinking fruit juices, they are poisoning you. Switch to the right thing instead
Celebrity nutritionist Siddhant Bhargava, who has worked with stars like Alia Bhatt, Ananya Panday and Sara Ali Khan, is challenging a common health assumption — that fruit juices are a healthy choice. According to Bhargava, most people are being misled into thinking they're making nutritious choices when they reach for a glass of fruit juice. But in reality, they may be doing more harm than good. In an Instagram reel on his handle, Bhargava explains that while whole fruits are indeed packed with essential vitamins and minerals, the same cannot be said for their juiced versions. The problem, he points out, lies in what's lost during the juicing process. When fruits are juiced, their natural fibre is removed — the very fibre that slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. Without this fibre, the sugar in fruits enters the body rapidly, causing sudden insulin spikes. The nutritionist refers to fruit juices as nothing more than "colourful sugar water." He adds that the process of juicing — especially with commercial juicers that generate heat — also reduces the vitamin and mineral content of the fruit. What's left behind is mostly sugar in liquid form, which is often wrongly marketed as healthy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now What Should You Do Instead? Rather than reaching for a glass of juice, Bhargava recommends eating whole fruits. The fibre in whole fruits plays a critical role in moderating blood sugar levels and keeping you full for longer. It also helps in maintaining gut health, which juicing simply cannot replicate. Bhargava suggests that the natural sugars in fruits are not inherently bad, but they are meant to be consumed along with the fruit's fibre. By extracting the juice and discarding the fibre, people end up consuming concentrated sugar that could lead to health issues over time — including increased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and poor metabolic health. Bhargava's comments also highlight how the health food industry often misleads consumers. He criticises the way fruit juices are packaged and promoted in the market, suggesting that they're being sold at a premium despite lacking actual nutritional value. The popularity of bottled juices, smoothie bars, and "detox drinks" further adds to the misconception that these drinks are good for health. A Simple Rule to Follow In Bhargava's view, a simple shift in approach — choosing the whole fruit over the juice — can have a lasting impact on health. His advice is clear: if you're serious about nutrition, skip the juice, chew the fruit, and don't fall for the marketing hype. Who Is Siddhant Bhargava? Siddhant Bhargava is a well-known name in the Indian health and wellness space. A medical doctor by training, he co-founded Food Darzee, a diet-focused food delivery startup. He is widely recognised for his straightforward health advice and has featured on shows like Shark Tank India. His client list includes some of Bollywood's biggest names, and his opinions on diet trends often make headlines.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Fear is profitable. Facts are boring': Masala Lab's Krish Ashok debunks seed oil myths in viral rant roasting health influencers
'If the nonsensical fear of seed oils could be used as fuel, our rockets would have reached Jupiter by now.' With that blazing opener, Krish Ashok — author of Masala Lab , science communicator, and self-professed kitchen nerd — tore into the rising tide of fearmongering around seed oils in a recent Instagram video that has since sparked a wave of reactions. In a landscape dominated by influencer-led panic over what to eat and what to fear, Ashok's calm, scathing, and science-backed takedown of the 'seed oils are poison' narrative has stood out. His video doesn't just offer clarity. It delivers a clinic in critical thinking disguised as a witty monologue. Inside the Great Oil Panic of Our Times Over two minutes, Ashok dismantles the pseudoscientific alarmism that has made seed oils the new villain in wellness circles. 'Yes, but seed oils oxidize when you heat them.' he mockingly mimics the common argument, before adding with sharp logic, 'So does every fat. Including your beloved ghee.' He then explains that in the human body — a steady 37°C — these so-called dangerous molecules are quickly broken down into 'water-soluble metabolites headed for your bladder.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo Referencing real-time health data and nutritional science , Ashok adds, 'The data shows people replacing saturated fat like ghee with seed oils consistently drop LDL and prevent cardiovascular death.' His sharpest jab? 'Meta-analysis, not memes or reels, drive dietary guidelines .' The quote, originally part of his Instagram video, has already started circulating as a counterpunch to diet culture misinformation. 'Industrial Is Not Diabolical' Ashok also challenges the idea that industrial processing makes an ingredient inherently harmful. 'Industrial is not a synonym for diabolical,' he states. 'It's a synonym for I can afford oil today because extraction efficiency and shelf life exist.' You Might Also Like: Want a fear-free mango season? Here is the science behind mango pimples and ulcers, and how to avoid them He explains that refining seed oils — often demonized as 'industrial' — simply removes undesirable elements like wax, proteins, and odor-causing compounds, which is why food tastes like food and not like bitter oil. 'Pressing, filtering, and deodorizing do not magically make poisons,' he says, calling out the alarmist logic of influencer nutritionists. For those insisting on replicating ancestral diets, he offers a scalding reminder: 'Sure, your ancestors didn't use seed oils. Their life expectancy was also 35.' The Bottom Line No One Profits From The final punch lands with a truth too simple to trend. 'If your diet is full of fried food and snacks, it doesn't matter what oil you use… your arteries will get hurt,' he says. In other words, blaming one ingredient while ignoring broader eating habits is both lazy and misleading. He concludes, 'Eating less food is hard. Putting the blame on one ingredient is easy.' You Might Also Like: Olive oil is not always healthy: Here is what you are not being told, nutritionists warn The reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive, especially among those tired of food being ruled by hysteria. One user commented, 'Meta-analysis and not memes drive dietary guidelines! 🙌' Another wrote, 'My dad is an oil technologist… and he always says — No oil is good or bad. It's the quantity that matters.' So next time you hear someone whispering that seed oils are 'toxic,' remember what Ashok said while laughing through the science: 'The only thing getting hurt is the feeling of scaremongering influencers who do not benefit if you are calm and sensible about food.'
