My Metabolism Slumped After Hitting 30s, But Then I Started Lifting Weights…

I am a recent cardio-to-strength convert. 

While I still miss those sweat sessions, I must confess something. 

I was so wrong about doing cardio only for weight loss without any strength training.  

After gaining around 15 pounds during the COVID lockdown and finally realizing the damage I had done, I became a fitness fanatic, doing everything and anything it would take to lose that baggage and create a new normal for myself. The being-fit normal. The normal where I wouldn’t worry about a dress looking good on my physique. 

It took me 3-4 months to create that new normal. I lost 30 pounds and went from 154 to 124 pounds.

In those days, I had the luxury of working 8-hour days. I could afford the sweat-drenched 1 hour cardio sessions without letting work-related worries distract me. 

The problem with only cardio is that after 1 hour of cardio (a combination of running, skipping, and brisk walking) you are not just drenched in sweat but you are dead tired too. All you want after that is to hit the bed and sleep like a baby, which is good but only if you can do it. 

Not everyone can afford to sleep, you know. Ask new mothers for example. 

Another problem is while you’ll lose the extra weight, you’ll also lose muscle and strength. 

I knew that but I didn’t care. All I wanted was to be lean.

Another problem was if ever you found it difficult to keep the same workout routine or keep your calories in check, your body wouldn’t have the strength to sustain the new physique by itself. 

So when a year later, added responsibilities took away that luxury of 8-hour work days, my body started being very rude to me. 

I tried every trick in the book to keep my lean body, it just didn’t work, no matter how much I starved myself. 

I was still doing light to moderate intensity cardio but I still struggled to sustain the weight loss.

With all that starving, it took me 2 years to gain the weight back. 

But it wasn’t the weight gain that converted me to strength training. 

It was when the real trouble began: My slumping 30s metabolism and the new normal where I was always bloated and constipated. 

Nothing helped anymore. No sweat-drenched cardio. No extra fiber. No nutritional supplement. 

Nothing except weights. 

The only exercise I do nowadays is 30 - 40 minutes of brisk walk followed by 15-20 minutes of weight lifting with my 10 kg pair of dumbbells. 

My muscles are always sore. 

But all the pain pays itself off when I touch my core and no longer feel a bloated abdomen pregnant with water. Ah, such a relief!

If you’re a woman in your 30s or older and struggling with a slumping metabolism, get a pair of dumbbells and start lifting.

You’ll thank me later. 

Like me, if you are concerned about bulking up and gaining weight while weightlifting, just be mindful of how much and what you eat. 

Remember, losing weight is all about creating a calorie deficit. 

If your total calorie intake is less than the total calories burned, you’ll start losing weight. 

Now, a lot of factors can affect that equation. For example, our body is very good at adapting itself to the circumstances. So if we are eating less, it starts burning less. Our metabolism slows down because our body goes into survival mode. It doesn’t know we’re trying to create this deficit on purpose. 

That’s why eating less often doesn’t work alone. You need to give the metabolism an extra kick so it's harder for our body to go into survival mode. 

Exercise and fiber supplements help. 

The good thing about high intensity cardio is it makes you feel less hungry and also boosts your metabolism. So you can easily create that deficit and get quicker results. 

However, light and moderate intensity cardio doesn’t have the same effect. 

On the other hand, with weightlifting, you’ll feel hungrier than before. So creating a deficit becomes difficult and you’ll tend to get bigger if you are not mindful of what you are eating. 

So while weightlifting brings its set of benefits, you’ll need to be aware of your diet, choose healthy stuff, and limit your portions. 

The good thing is that the metabolism boost from weightlifting is kind of permanent. In fact, as you lift more, the more muscle mass you gain. And the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns at rest to keep it functioning! 

So, if you can keep your calories in check, the boosted metabolism from lifting weights and the gain in muscle mass which will increase your metabolism will lead to weight loss that will be easier to sustain. 

A Letter from a Mom To Her Son

Dear Son,

Just want to tell you that no matter how many painkillers and anesthetics they give, no birth is ever an EASY one. But I really don’t remember the pain; I only remember the overwhelming feeling of joy when I held you in my arms.

You were certainly not an easy baby. Sometimes, you used to cry entire nights. Sometimes, you used to wake up for what seemed like a thousand times during the night. Those sleepless nights must have been like a nightmare. But whenever you woke up, I used to give you a kiss and smile at you. I only remember the happiness, son.

You became more cranky and demanding as you grew. Sometimes you used to cry and I would settle you on my shoulders and walk in our lounge - that was the only way you would calm down. And it wasn’t easy to feed you either. You would run around the house and I would chase you with the plate in my hand.

There was a time when people would compliment my clear skin. But now, it’s all dark circles and freckles and a total wreck. My skin is no longer important for me. Because you love me, and you say “Mama, you are cute”. You are with me and that’s all that matters.

You are growing up now and every time you come and hug me, I count my blessings. One of these days, you will be all grown up and you will feel embarrassed about hugging me. If hugging makes you feel embarrassed, you don’t really need to.

But I just want you to be nice to me. I don’t want you to remember me once in a year. I don’t want you to send me expensive gifts once in a year. I want you to make me feel I am your mother and you love me, every day of your life.

My son, there were times when I got really upset and wanted to leave everything and run away. Raising a child isn’t easy at all. There were times it got really stressful and I couldn’t handle it. But I didn’t leave; I stayed because a mother is supposed to stay. One of these days I am going to grow old and I’ll be frustrating sometimes. But I want you to be nice and loving towards me, no matter what.

Son, all my friends buy expensive clothes every summer. But I don’t. Because I save money for your education and to buy you new clothes and all the things you want. But when I grow old, I might get tired of my boring closet and I might go and buy new clothes. Please son, don’t ever say “Mom, you are overspending.” It’s going to break my heart.

There are times when I really crave a romantic dinner with your father at some Chinese restaurant. But we don’t go. Because whenever we go out, it’s for you in some Fast Food restaurant with a Play Land. But when I grow old, I might get bored sitting at home all day. And I might want to go to places. If I ever ask you to drop me to a friend’s house, don’t ever say “Mom, why can’t you stay at home?” That’ll break my heart.

Son, there are times when I am working and stressed out and you come to talk to me. Some game on your tablet isn’t working and you come to ask me for help. I leave everything to help you and listen to your endless stories about school. But when I grow old, I won’t have much to do. And then, I will call to talk to you. Please don’t ever say “Do you need anything? I am busy!” That’ll break my heart.

Son, I don’t want you to give me cards and expensive gifts once in a year. I just want you to be nice to me and love me just the way you do now.

That’s all I want.

Love,

Your Mother

An Extremely Effective Chicken Soup Recipe for Sinus Relief

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that sinus has no cure. However, there are methods through which you can bring temporary relief. Doctors may even prescribe anti-biotics and medications but most people experience relief for only a short period of time and then it rebounds back.

Home remedies are extremely popular around here to fight cold and flu. You wouldn’t find anyone here in Pakistan who doesn’t know at least one home remedy that works for them. Chicken soup tops the list of those home remedies. It is grandma’s way of curing the flu. Although chicken broth itself is very effective against cold and flu symptoms, adding other helpful ingredients will speed up the healing process. Here, is a tried and tested chicken broth recipe that is sure to work wonders on your sinusitis.

Ingredients

·         2 chicken drumsticks

·         5 cloves garlic

·         1 teaspoon of black pepper corns

·         4 slices of ginger (I like to add much more to make the soup spicy)

·         ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

·         1 large onion

·         1 whole carrot

Place all these ingredients in a large pot of water and let it cook for about 1 and a half hour till the chicken is tender and you feel the soup thicken. The water will be reduced by 1/4^th or ½.

This is it. Drink the clear soup while it’s hot.

Now let’s take a look at what makes this soup so therapeutic.

Chicken drumsticks:

Studies have found that Cysteine, an amino acid produced in clear chicken soup helps to clear congestion and thin mucus, which helps in the flow of mucus secretions. It also works wonders on sore throat and loosens thick phlegm.

Garlic:

Garlic is not a food. It is a super food and a super immune booster. Among thousand other benefits of garlic, it is also a natural anti-biotic and is commonly taken for cold and flu.

Black pepper corns:

Black pepper corns contain volatile oil with different chemical compounds. It is a natural astringent, anti-septic, analgesic, and helps in stimulating the drainage of sinus.

Ginger:

Ginger is used to treat a vast range of conditions including nausea, morning sickness, digestion, increased LDL (bad cholesterol) and above all, cold and flu symptoms. Hot ginger tea is extremely effective and popular in India as a quick relief for cold. The spicy taste of ginger helps to relax and soothe your sinuses. It stimulates mucus secretions and helps in chest congestion as well. Adding ginger in chicken soup makes the soup really aromatic and delicious to drink.

But if you don’t want to make chicken soup, you can also make ginger tea by boiling ginger slices in water for 5-10 minutes till ginger has imparted its flavor in the water. Add green tea and lemon to enjoy hot and ultra-relaxing ginger tea.

Another way to consume ginger is to crush it with a heavy spoon and then squeeze out the juice. Add honey in it and swallow it. When combined with honey, it is especially great for cough and chest congestion. (Yes, I am a great fan of ginger!)

Turmeric Powder:

Turmeric powder is a staple ingredient in not only our food but also in every therapeutic remedy. It is known to have showed anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties, which help to relax and soothe your sinuses. You can even add it in hot milk or plain hot water for instant cold relief.

Onion:

I never knew onion had any healing properties until I stumbled upon this recipe. However, when I researched it, it seems I was a bit ignorant and it isn’t as new as it seems. It has been used in Chinese medicine as a cure for bacterial infections, coughs, breathing problems and angina. Studies have shown that the sulphur compound in onion has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been discovered that onion extract is great against cold and flu symptoms.

Another way to consume onion is to crush it and extract the juice out it. Add honey and swallow the mixture.

Carrot:

Carrots are a natural source of beta-carotene and vitamin A. Apart from fighting infections, these also provide a sweet flavor to the chicken broth.

Try this recipe now and share your experiences. :)

KidsDunya – Is It A Place Worth Visiting?

Ever since its opening, there has been much hype about KidsDunya. Before visiting the place, I ran a search on Facebook and found reviews by people who had commented on its educational concept and its attractions for children. They say the concept is copied from a popular place in Dubai. So, I decided to give it a shot. Here is my honest review of KidsDunya for all those parents who have still not visited.

What is it?

It does less than half justice to its name: Kids Dunya. Yes, it is supposed to be a “dunya” for kids where kids rule. You have to pay an entry fee to enter the place. Rs.500 for a kid and Rs.250 for an adult. The receptionist will give a KD check with the name of the child. The child has to visit the bank first to draw the check and collect his KDR cash. They have their own KidsDunya currency that the child has to use while he is doing activities inside.

What Kind of Activities can you expect?

Job Activities

There are jobs available which include Police, fire fighting, hospital and dentist. The concept is to give children an idea where they can earn from and where they can spend. You just have to stand in the waiting line to get hired for these jobs and they will give you a job to do.

In the case of police, you have to run after a thief and catch him, put handcuffs and drag him to the jail. Thinking about that “pakram pakrai” game you played as a child? Well, it is actually that. The only difference is, they give you actual police uniforms to wear and the handcuffs and jail look real. Well, it would have been more interactive if there was something more to it than just catching the thief.

In firefighting, you have to run towards the site where something is on fire and you have to put down the fire by directing the water through a pipe in the glass wall ahead. Again, the uniforms are more interesting than the actual fire fighting scene. I find the water games in Sindbad more interactive and interesting.

We did not do the hospital and dentist jobs so can’t review those but what I saw going on there, it was pretty much the same boring and same stuff every time. The child would easily get bored with the same activity and would not want to go back.

When your job is done, you get a 100 KDR as your salary.

Paid Activities

Then there are other activities which are paid. You can spend your money doing those activities. These include:

Drawing and painting

This will be interesting if your child has never laid his hands on paint, pencils and colors. Oh come on, this is what kids do all the time at home and in school. What is so interesting here? There is even nothing new in it. There should be some art teacher doing some craft activities with them and guiding them. Seriously, my son went inside (parents are not allowed in the activity room) and came out with a paper which had a square, two apples, one pineapple and a circle. I asked him who made this, he said the man made it and he just colored it. WOW!

Build a bear

You have to stuff a teddy bear with cotton or whatever goes inside. It’s all automatic and there is a machine there, which does all the work. You only have to press the foot pedal for the machine to work. That’s it!

Football

This is better because children can finally find some real activity to do. But the football field is ridiculously small and if several children are playing there, your child might never get a turn with the ball. My son plays better football at home.

Paddle Pop Ice cream Factory

This is the only activity that offered something new. Children learn how to make ice cream in this colorfully designed ice cream factory. But to add more excitement and anticipation, they get an ice cream in the end to eat.  

Pizza Hut Pizza Baking Activity

This one requires you to pay real money because it gives a real pizza in the end to eat. Children get to put toppings on the pizza and then bake it. It’s interesting but nothing new for me. Whenever I am making homemade pizza, I always let my son put on the toppings.

Is it Worth Visiting?

Yes, but only once just to get a taste of what the hype is all about. It is very boring for a parent to roam around that ridiculous KidsDunya with a child. Since it is a KidsDunya, they should offer enough security for parents to send their children alone.

It is a bit educational and that’s the reason you should visit once. You would not want to do the same boring activities again.

Overall, I feel it’s too boring and there should be something more. I was expecting activities like puzzles, block building, sand art, and something more creative. Also, there should be more sports activities as well like basketball, baseball, and cricket.

For me, this role playing concept was nothing new because this is what my son does all the time at home and I am sure no child is different. Even I did that when I was young. Remember that doctor set, kitchen set, and police set we used to own when we were kids?

My son does want to go back but I am sure he will get bored after his second time. 

5 Natural Remedies for Sinus Infection that Actually Work

If you are reading this, chances are you already know what sinus infection is and how hideous you feel during a sinus attack. The disgusting yellow-green nasal discharge, facial pain, throbbing headache, nasal congestion and swollen eyes; all come part of the deal. And the worst thing is, sinus infections are always a staple when the season changes, particularly in winter. 

People may pinpoint a specific cause of sinus infection but witnessing a generation suffering from sinus, I can say that it is mainly caused by dry and windy weather. The catch is, you cannot possibly shield yourself from bad weather unless you adopt the nomadic way of life. That leaves you another option: to cure sinus. 

However, sinus is not easy to cure. Doctors may recommend antibiotics for chronic sinusitis but it only cures some symptoms like fever and sore throat. Nasal congestion almost never goes away. That leaves only one option; to soothe your sinus infection and give you temporary relief.

Here are some natural remedies for sinus infection that are proven to work:

1. Ginger and Honey Mixture

Gingerol, an active component of Ginger is good for your infected sinus. The spicy flavor and aroma of ginger will help to warm up your nasal passage. Crush ginger roots and squeeze out half a teaspoon of ginger juice. Mix half a teaspoon honey and take in the mixture. It’s really spicy but excellent for nasal and chest congestion. 

2. Ginger and lemon tea

Crush ginger roots and cook it with water. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes on low heat. Add green tea and juice of ½- 1 lemon. Drink this tea to relax your sinuses. 

3. Chicken broth

Home-made chicken soup has been used since ages to clear sinuses and help with nasal congestion and sore throat. Research indicates that cysteine, an amino acid produced in clear chicken soup, has soothing and healing properties. Simply cook 2 pieces of drumsticks with plenty of water, quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 4 garlic cloves, 4 slices of ginger and salt. Let it cook on low heat for 1 hour or more until the soup has thickened. 

4. Steam Inhalation

Hot steam is the best weapon against sinus infection. Add vaporub, black pepper or cloves in boiling water and inhale the steam. This will provide immediate relief from sinus headache, facial pain, swollen eyes and will also help you sleep better. 

5. Vaporub

Vaporub is grandma’s way of curing sinus infection. Rub it below the nose, on your throat, and behind ears and cover your head with a scarf. 

The Purpose of Eid-ul-Azha – An Important Lesson Learnt

Every year on Eid-ul-Azha, commonly known as Bakra Eid, I recall those childhood memories when I simply failed to understand the purpose of this highly significant day. I only celebrated Ramzan Eid back then and didn’t understand the point of sacrificing all these animals and then celebrating a day for it. At that time Bakra Eid only meant one thing: MESS!

I was a fussy child. The blood soaked roads, the nauseous odors and the cattle waste spread everywhere was something I simply dreaded. Hence, Bakra Eid was the day I dreaded the most in my life.

Rewinding back decades, I remember sleeping with my parents for many days after Bakra Eid because I would get nightmares of butchers and their knives. *shivers*

I used to wonder why Allah asked us to celebrate this day. Why is it even a festivity? When asked aloud, our elders used to brief us the historic events that mark this day. That led to more confusion. If even we had to sacrifice an animal because Hazrat Ibrahim did it, why do we have to celebrate? Sacrificing and then celebrating – these were two opposite words for me and I just couldn’t link the two of them together.

It is just a pity that I learnt the significance of Bakra Eid after so many years of my life. I feel remorse at wasting those childhood days, fussing over the house getting dirty. Luckily for my son, I learnt this lesson just in time to teach him what Bakra Eid actually means.

As I see him playing with his goats, feeding them with his own hands, caressing them and enjoying every moment, I think about his reaction when he will find out that his beloved goats will be slaughtered on Eid Day. But that is when I will teach him an important lesson.

SOMETIMES, WE JUST HAVE TO SACRIFICE THE THINGS WE LOVE THE MOST FOR THE SAKE OF SOMETHING THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE.

In this case, it is the love of Allah. We do it out of His love. His love is more important than our love for the cattle. We buy the cattle from our own money, we nurture and feed them ourselves, we take care of all their needs and then we sacrifice them with our own hands. Because Allah asked us to. That is what our test is. And the celebration after that is the reward of clearing the test.

 

That is how sacrifice and celebration are linked together.

Eid-ul-Azha is all about sacrificing. If you are honored with the chance of going for pilgrimage at this time of year, you will find yourself doing things that look senseless and are not routinely required. “Some things in Islam escape all logical thinking”, this is what our elders will tell us if we ask them “why is it required? What is the purpose?”

Leaving your comfortable and luxurious house to live in Mina for 3 days, praying in the ground of Arafat and staying there under the extreme heat of sun with no air-conditioners, spending a night on the rocky ground of Muzdalfa under open skies with nothing to provide shelter and then finally shaving off your head; this does sound senseless, doesn’t it? But if you think logically, this is the time you learn some very important lessons of sacrificing. You sacrifice all your luxuries and comforts to blindly follow what Allah has required. Think about it. Allah doesn’t ask a man to shave his beard because he knows that is easy for him. But instead he asks a man to shave his head because he knows men love their hair. This reminds me of a joke that a man who got an expensive hair transplant would never go for pilgrimage.

But that is what SACRIFICE is and that is what Islam teaches us.

And Islam is so perfect that it doesn’t require a woman to shave her head because then it will destroy the woman’s beauty and her femininity.

My mother often says, “Be thankful that Allah sent down a lamb in place of Hazrat Ismail. If it were him, we had to sacrifice humans.”

No, my dear mother. 

The Quran says: “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” [5:3]

And this is a proof that Islam is a perfect religion. 

Why was Burger King such a Secret Affair?

I just learned on Saturday 6^TH October at midnight that Burger King’s first outlet had opened in Karachi, ALREADY! Well, I didn’t know ANYTHING about it, not even any news of it opening anytime soon. I didn’t even know about the venue where the first outlet will be. And I don’t live under the rock! Certainly not.

In fact, we have been waiting for Burger King to arrive in Pakistan since a long time especially after Hardees was opened and we thought “we would never go to Hardees if there was Burger King around”. All I heard about it was that a contract had been signed between MCR Pakistan, the franchisee of Pizza Hut Pakistan, and The Burger King Worldwide Inc and that it would open sometime in mid-2014. I learnt this news from an article published in Express Tribune on July 16^th, 2013. It was further mentioned that the venue has not been selected yet. Who knew just months later, they would surprise people in Karachi by opening their first outlet in the heart of city that is BOAT BASIN. Thank God, we won’t have to travel all the way to Nazimabad, battling traffic, kaala dhuwaan, and honks from truck drivers to finally find solace in a hamburger that lacks what you call “SATISFACTION”. Yes, the billboards along the way keep you motivated but it isn’t long when you realize it’s a far cry from what you were expecting.

Coming to Burger King, I am a true fan of it especially their fries. The scrumptious, crispy fries and just the right combination of ingredients that make a burger worth the guilt and the time you spend in queues listening to your husband’s grumblings, is what I am expecting from Burger King.

The only reason I can think of why they kept The Burger King Issue such a secret is that they were afraid of the Karachi public and especially those living in Defence and Clifton Area. Even people living in far-away places like me are “in town” on Saturdays. Probably they were just afraid of their newly built restaurant being bombarded with a throng of people hungry for burgers and fries. Who knows, they might even ruin the place, or so they must have thought. I heard it was bombarded already; “word of mouth marketing is the best type of advertisement”, a friend told me.

Another reason comes in my mind as I think about my rumbling stomach and my taste buds craving for a bite of scrumptiousness; they might have been afraid of people hailing it as haram even before its launch. Oh please, if anybody is planning to do that, don’t tell me anything until I eat there. Just keep MUM until I tell you. I’ll post a status on Facebook “Me eating Burger King” and then you can bombard my phone with all the messages about Burger King being haram. Just don’t do this zulm before I get a taste of it. It has been ages…