Page 42 - Sandy Jackman Pantai Hotel

Beauty and Wellness Advice from the Experts

By Lisa Matar

We all want to look our best. You don’t need to look far to find news of a Aparna Ramadurai, Registered Dietitian and owner of VitaLife Nutrition has
new diet trend loaded with unrealistic promises. The Health and Beauty a long history of counseling people who have special dietary needs. She
industry is a multi-billion industry in the United States and a lot of compa- created the bariatric nutritional program and was the program director at
nies are looking for a way into your pocket. Unfortunately, many of these Ximed Center for Medical and Surgical Weight Management in Del Mar,
companies do not have your health in mind and many of us go along with California. There, she worked closely with the medical director of Bariatric
the madness, abusing our bodies just to achieve the thin look we are des- Surgery to prepare individuals for successful surgical weight loss. She also
perately craving. organized and facilitated monthly support group meetings to address con-
cerns and find solutions faced by patients. Amongst many other specialties,
San Diego Woman Magazine recently sat down with two prominent San she currently creates personalized and customizable weight management
Diego Health and Beauty experts to bring some sense to the matter. How plans for individuals who want to take the next step in managing their life-
can we look our best without compromising our health? styles better. She is a wellness counselor who utilizes diet, exercise, yoga,
meditation and nutrigenomics to help individuals create the healthy lifestyle
We asked the they are searching for.
experts for some
tips. We asked Aparna, What is
your top nutritional advice for
Chelsea McLean women who want to make a
Casey, is a Co- commitment to enhance their
Owner of Three physique?
Sister’s Wellness
and Yoga Instruc- There are pitfalls women
tor at Mosaic fall into trying to lose a few
Yoga in Mission pounds. “Women tend to elimi-
Hills. In addi- nate carbs, which make up the
tion, she is the building blocks of our cells and
Model Liaison and are our first source of energy
Modeling Advisor when we exercise. Grains are
to Fashion Week important sources of many
42 San Diego. Her nutrients including dietary fiber
and several B vitamins. An
background in
modeling serves important factor to remember
to be insightful is to stay moderate with your
for the models carb intake and only choose
she mentors. She whole grains that provide
began modeling multiple health benefits, includ-
at the age of 14 ing weight management and
and her career prevention of heart disease”.
started in San Curious to know what nutri-
Diego then took tional strategies she gives her
her to Los Angeles, patients who are aiming on healthy weight loss and management?
New York City and
Milan, Italy. Sadly, She gives us 5 rules to live by.
she discovered
the industry is wrought with unhealthy dieting practices. “I have witnessed Rule 1: Never "diet". Follow a healthy and balanced nutrition plan that
and succumb to numerous eating disorders myself over the years. Starting includes all the major food groups. Question any plan that has you doing
my modeling career at such a young age led me into a world full of harsh anything drastic and that promises "immediate results". Focus on making
physical criticism and competition. Just imagine being told your hips are too changes you can stick with for the rest of your life.
curvy when you are just 14 years old! Consequently, during my teens and
early 20s the urge to stay skinny far outweighed the desire to be healthy. Rule 2: Eat on time. Do not wait until your hunger levels cause you to make
Throughout my career I dabbled on and off in anorexia, bulimia, low-fat bad food choices. Trying to eat at the same time every day helps eliminate
diets, no-carb diets, veganism, raw food diets, diuretics, legal diet pills, il- unnecessary snacking.
legal drugs, existing on cigarettes and gum, etc. The competition is so fierce
that the desire for young girls to be thin is all-consuming, leading many to Rule 3: Avoid fast food. They contain too many harmful toxins your body
unhealthy weight-loss shortcuts”. As a mentor to up-and-coming models can do without. The levels of saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and refined
who participate in Fashion Week San Diego, her mission is to give these sugar in fast food causes serious harm to a healthy body. "Convenient",
aspiring young women the tools they need to succeed. “Educating models "cheap" and "fast" are not going to nourish you the same way as a meal
on how to take care of their health and wellbeing is also important to me. made with fresh, wholesome ingredients.
I want our models to feel empowered, supported, confident and beauti-
ful”. She feels strongly that people who shine from the inside manifests an Rule 4: Drink lots of water. Stay away from carbonated beverages. Soda
attractiveness that is undeniable. It is confidence that sparks an inner light (including diet sodas) has been proven to strip the body of important vita-
that is in all of us. This is the foundation of Chelsea’s philosophy behind mins and minerals in addition to causing weight gain.
modeling and looking your best. “Someone who shines from the inside out
exudes an inner glow that makes the audience not want to take their eyes Rule 5: Make 30-40 minutes of daily physical activity a part of your lifestyle.
off them on the runway. That’s what makes a “model” in my opinion, and it’s The physical and emotional benefits of exercise are profound and empower
something that can’t be faked”. Next time you are walking through a room, you to move in the right direction!
remember this advice from a top modeling coach. Walk with confidence and
wait for heads to turn.