Putting it on: Easy. Taking it off: Who knew it’d be this hard! Weight – its an ever growing problem and Rouge took it up. Why is it so difficult to lose weight? Do diets really work? And to what lengths will people go to lose unwanted pounds?

 

 Actress and theatre director, Beatrice-Chia Richmond, recounted how she struggled with anorexia nervosa and bulimia through the ages of 14-18. Victims of anorexia are commonly known to control body weight through means of voluntary starvation and excessive exercise, while bulimic patients tend to binge and induce vomiting or other extreme weight control measures in an effort to stay thin. Her weight plummeted dramatically and she suffered frequent fainting spells and had anemia. And though these two conditions manifest physically as weight control problems, the Rouge audience learnt that they have psychological roots. Beatrice explained that for sufferers, the conditions tend to become a perverse way of controlling their own lives.

 

 Fortunately for Beatrice, she had a very strong survival instinct and she also got a wakeup call in the form of kidney patients who gave a talk at her school. Realizing how lucky she was, she was determined to stop. It took her 2 years to succeed, but she did and she advises people who have the conditions to seek professional help.

 

 Next up, we had Dr. Ben Tan from the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre tell us about a weight management programme that’s based on scientific data. The SSMC offers weight management programs catered to all fitness levels and has a wide range of rehabilitation facilities. To achieve that ideal weight, the SSMC’s program takes on a three-tiered approach of dietary restriction, structure exercise and increased daily activities. Currently, the Centre has had at least 2000 patients and each of them has achieved an average weight loss of 8kg and an 8.3 cm waistline reduction. By the end of the holistic program, the patient is equipped with the skills and knowledge to sustain the desired weight for the rest of his or her life.

 

Dr Tan, a former Olympic sailor, also cleared up some fallacies on losing weight, (no such thing as spot reduction, sorry, people!), and answered questions from the audience about slimming pills and meal replacements. He stressed the need for people to realize that there are no short cuts to losing weight and achieving that desired body shape and weight. To learn more about the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre, log onto http://www.ssmc.sg/index.html

 

 To top the night off, we had a group from Yoga East who showed us a fun way to exercise with Bhangra Aerobics! The Rouge audience got onto their feet with Eunice as they took part in a short Bhangra Aerobics workout that got their heart pumping and feet tapping.

 Want to pick up a dancercise today? Check out http://www.yogaeastsingapore.com/index.htm !