Table of contents for Vol 48 in LOSE IT! The Handbook

1. You must not use the content in LOSE IT! as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. You should seek medical advice from a qualified professional before starting any weight-loss programme. 2. LOSE IT! magazine (which we sometimes refer to as LOSE IT!) provides educational information on weight-loss management and is intended to assist users in weight loss. LOSE IT! is not a medical organisation and cannot give medical advice or a diagnosis. 3. The information and material in LOSE IT! are intended as a general guide to assist weight loss and do not take into account individual circumstances. LOSE IT! will not provide any form of assistance or support in individual cases, nor feedback on any information you submit to the magazine. 4. You use LOSE…

Notabizolo’s life wasn’t always filled with the joy of being active and the confidence of knowing she looked and felt good in a beautiful dress. For years, she struggled with her weight and the emotional toll that went with it. ‘I grew up chubby,’ she says, ‘and people used to call me names, especially in high school.’ The 45-year-old care worker from East London turned to comfort food, a cycle that accelerated when she became a mother. ‘After my firstborn, my weight just kept going up no matter what I tried,’ she recalls. ‘I liked junk food like chocolates, biscuits and chips. I was a comfort eater, and because of my weight I didn’t like to socialise.’ Notabizolo’s turning point came in February 2021, when she was diagnosed with a…

The carnivore diet takes a no-frills approach to eating: meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, with optional dairy for those who digest it well. That’s it. No vegetables, no fruit and definitely no grains. It may seem extreme, but it is fast gaining traction for its potential health benefits. If paleo, low-carb or keto worked for you, the carnivore diet could be your next step to feeling even better. From accelerated fat loss and improved digestion to potentially helping mental health and autoimmune issues, it offers results that some people are saying has been life-changing. WHAT TO EAT This is definitely a diet for meat lovers! Dive into the world of sizzling steaks, melt-in-the-mouth roasts and rich stews. The carnivore diet is all about delicious, nutrient-packed meats (especially red meat) that…

PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE SERVES 6 • 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil• 3 garlic cloves, chopped finely• 1 onion, chopped roughly• 2 small celery sticks, chopped• 2 x 400 g tins whole peeled tomatoes• 1 x 700 g bottle tomato passata• 3 sprigs of thyme• a small handful of basil leaves, chopped• 6 brinjals, trimmed and sliced lengthways into thin slices• 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil• 100 g Parmesan, grated• 100 g mozzarella, grated• 2 x 125 g balls of fresh mozzarella, sliced TO SERVE • a few fresh basil leaves• Parmesan, grated 1. Heat the olive oil in a medium-to-large saucepan over medium heat and cook the garlic, onion and celery in it until soft and translucent. 2. Add the tinned tomatoes (squash them with a fork), passata…

ASIAN DETOX SALAD SERVES 4 AS A SIDE DISH SALAD • 100 g green cabbage, shaved finely• 100 g red cabbage, shaved finely• 100 g broccoli florets, chopped• 100 g pumpkin, sliced thinly• 6 radishes, sliced• 10 g coriander leaves, chopped roughly, plus extra to garnish• salt to taste DRESSING • 1 garlic clove, chopped finely• 6 cm-long piece of ginger root, peeled and grated finely• 45 ml (3 tbsp) soya sauce• 30 ml (2 tbsp) lime juice• 5 ml (1 tsp) xylitol• 125 ml (½ cup) olive oil• 10 g sesame seeds, toasted lightly 1. MAKE THE SALAD: Combine the ingredients in a salad bowl. 2. MAKE THE DRESSING: Mix the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl. 3. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss to coat.…

Q: How can you tell when someone is doing the cold-water swimming thing? A: Because they’ll tell you about it in the first five minutes of conversation. By now we all know at least one person who swears by dragging themselves out of bed before dawn to immerse themselves in freezing-cold water. And the truth is, no matter how terrible the thought, it seems to work: they do appear to feel better, happier and less stressed, and find it easier to get more and better sleep. Danish scientist Dr Susanna Søberg has focused her research on the effects of deliberately exposing your body to heat and cold. Her studies show it can improve your metabolism, give you a bit of a cardiovascular workout (because it raises your pulse), balance your…

Q Is it effective to do intermittent fasting (IF) without going low-carb, or do I need to do both to lose weight? A There have been mixed results when it comes to IF without incorporating low-carb. For some people, the mere restriction of eating for parts of the day is sufficient to achieve their desired weight-loss goals. They are still able to eat a medium- to high-carbohydrate diet and will still lose weight effectively so long as they strictly adhere to the particular IF protocol they have chosen. For others, a low-carb diet has to be part of the plan to lose weight. This is generally the case in those who have a significant amount of weight to lose (more than 15 kg), or who are metabolically impaired and have…

GET YOUR COPY OF THE LOSE IT! HANDBOOK: HEAL YOUR GUT; DROP THE WEIGHT! • Quit comfort eating forever• Understand your cravings and learn to combat them• Manage inflammation and stress• Transform bad habits into good ones• Slow the ageing process IT’S THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR WELLBEING ON SALE! Available at leading retailers, including Woolworths, Checkers, Pick n Pay, SPAR, Clicks and selected Engen convenience stores.…

Braai chicken pieces and baste them with the basting sauce, or use leftover braaied chicken and reheat it in a pan with the sauce. Braai the sweet peppers over hot coals or, if you’re using leftover steak, grill them on a griddle. Did you know that you can grill lettuce leaves? Wedges of lightly grilled iceberg lettuce give this salad a sweet taste that goes well with the creamy garlic sauce and grilled chicken. The salad is also delicious served with fresh iceberg wedges. MOROCCAN CHICKEN SALAD SERVES 4 BASTING SAUCE • 30 ml (2 tbsp) smoked paprika• 10 ml (2 tsp) ground cumin• 2.5 ml (½ tsp) ground cinnamon• 1 garlic clove, chopped finely• 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil• a pinch of salt SALAD • 500 g braaied…

FASHION OWN THE COURT Ace your court style with Coconut Active high-performance gear, which blends retro prints with modern cuts and technology. The fabric is soft, lightweight and breathable, and feature four-way stretch to allow freedom of movement. It also has a UV 50+ rating, and won’t fade or stretch. The range includes bras, shorts, skorts with inner shorts, a court dress with a built-in bra, and a jumpsuit – in bold motifs. coconutactive.com CARRY ON Local brand Porter creates a range of bags – basically, anything you can throw over your shoulder, from crossbody leather bags to shoppers made of a soft knitted fabric. The latter comes in different sizes: mini (20 cm), maxi (25.5 cm) and jumbo (44 cm). porterpersonalleather.com ORGANISE YOUR LIFE Feeling overwhelmed? Can’t finish what…

SALMON is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and vitamins D and B12. Opt for wild-caught salmon for the best nutritional profile. SARDINES are packed with omega-3s, calcium (if you eat the bones) and vitamin D. Look for sustainably caught sardines. MACKEREL is high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, and is a good source of selenium and vitamin B12. TUNA is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Choose light tuna varieties to reduce exposure to mercury. ANCHOVIES are high in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and iron. They are a handy ingredient to have in your pantry for preparing flavourful dishes such as Caesar salad and pasta sauces. HERRING is high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and selenium. It is known for its rich taste and versatility…

HEALTHY PLATES KETO LIFESTYLE: SIMPLE by Hendrik Marais Simplify your ketogenic journey with Hendrik Marais’s guide to easy, budget-friendly and delicious keto living. This is a streamlined companion to Hendrik’s successful first book, designed to make the ketogenic diet accessible and enjoyable for everyone. He explains the latest keto trends, provides meal plans, and shares recipes that are both budget- and load-shedding-friendly. From practical nutritional advice to motivating exercise tips, Hendrik’s guide is aimed at keto novices and veterans alike. Discover how to entertain friends with keto-friendly menus and maintain your motivation on this dietary path. WICKEDSTUFFED Amanda C. Hughes, a recipe developer and cookbook author known for her creative takes on traditional dishes, shares a wealth of low-carb and paleo-friendly recipes on her blog WickedStuffed (wickedstuffed.com). It is a…

When Jacqueline Lawrence found out in 2022 that she had type 2 diabetes, she was shocked into disbelief. She even double-checked with her doctor that he hadn’t meant prediabetes. No, he assured her, she had diabetes, and a dramatic change was needed if she was to get her health back in check. At the time, she was 54 years old and weighed 140 kg. Jackie was then referred to Dr Neville Wellington, GP and managing practitioner at Medicross Kenilworth, which has a Diabetic Clinic. Here, she met diabetes nurse educator Sister Nthabeleng Khatiti (known as Sister Thabi), who became a lynchpin in Jackie’s journey to remission. ‘She was a great help,’ Jackie says. ‘I had to see her once a week for a weigh-in, and she would check my vitals…

Tips for making the absolute best omelettes • Use fresh eggs – organic or free-range if available.• Use a non-stick pan for the best results.• Three eggs make the perfect omelette for one person.• Make sure to whisk the eggs thoroughly, using a fork to break up all the protein strands.• Maintain a medium to low heat to ensure the egg remains creamy.• Don’t leave an omelette in the pan too long; it will continue to cook and might turn rubbery.• Cook the filling beforehand to be ready when the omelette is cooked.• The filling options are endless. Flavourful cheeses such as Emmental and Gruyère are particularly good. Bacon, ham or chorizo is delicious, as is smoked salmon or trout.• If you’re serving a group of people for breakfast, make…

1 COTTAGE CHEESE WRAPS WITH TUNA SALAD SERVES 2 WRAPS • 250 ml (1 cup) chunky plain cottage cheese• 80 ml (1⁄3 cup) egg white (the whites of about 3 eggs)• salt FILLING • 2 x 200 g tins tuna in olive oil• 45 ml (3 tbsp) mayonnaise• a handful of rocket or other salad leaves• 1 big tomato, cubed• 1 small red onion, sliced thinly• salt and freshly ground black pepper• 1 lemon, sliced into wedges, to serve 1. MAKE THE WRAPS: Preheat the oven to 180°C, and line a 25 cm x 20 cm baking tray with baking paper. 2. Place the cottage cheese and egg white in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Season with salt. 3. Pour the mixture into the prepared…