Kung Kao Taba Choi

Over the Christmas holidays, I gained *bleep bleep* pounds. My daughter Ali lost one pound. And as my pedia says, to a child, one pound is substantial.

I really must be getting old. In my younger days, I could eat all I wanted and I wouldn't gain a thing. These days, I eat something salty or fatty and it shows on the scale the morning after, and it stays unless I do something to send it away...

Ali has been given an appetite stimulant by her pedia - in a bid to have her increase her weight. I asked the pedia in jest if there was something I could take to reduce my appetite but I suppose I'll have no such luck.

My only consolation is that if I'm determined enough to lose the added pounds, I can. During my last pregnancy, I think I gained about 30 pounds and went back to my regular pre-pregnancy weight in a few months. So what's a few pounds? So far I've lost half of the *bleep bleep* holiday pounds - on my own diet and exercise program. Following are the things I've been doing and it works for me. Don't follow though - without seeking medical advice as it may not work for you:

1. Walk briskly 30 minutes a day, at least 3 times a week - everyday if possible; Do some stretching and exercises to flatten your tummy.

2. Cut out the rice from your diet. Do not mix carbohydrates with protein. Protein and veggies (salads but without fatty dressings please!) are fine.

3. Snack on things like: boiled saba, singkamas, corn flakes, oatmeal, fruits, wholewheat bread.

A cardinal rule in my own Angel Diet - never allow yourself to go hungry. Eat when you must but eat the right stuff.

Let's see how long it takes me to get back to my pre-Christmas weight. If my regular lose-weight strategy fails, I'm interviewing Ali...