The transformation of China in recent years has been remarkable. I hope China will one day be a great society for its people and for the world.
At a time when China is in the news with the Tibetan protests and the Olympic Torch Relay being run in Canberra, there was a letter from a Rhonda Byrne to the News and Opinion page of the Sydney Morning Herald today (26 April, 2008).
Here’s an extract:
“It’s not just about Tibet. It’s China’s human rights abuses, the contaminated pet food sent to America, contaminated toothpaste sent to South America, blankets contaminated with formaldehyde, children’s toys contaminated with lead, and contaminated batches of the drug Clexane.”
I concede that many countries have worse human rights records than China. But that does not mean that China cannot put the lives of its people or we foreign consumers on a higher priority.
The Chinese government does not tolerate dissent. It selectively listens to the cries of its people. It is easy enough to throw people into lock-ups than to put up with their demands or arguments. It is still a long way from being the people’s republic.
If it is so dangerous and troublesome for the Chinese people to express their needs to their government, then perhaps we foreigners, as consumers of Chinese products, can do it for them.
It is time for China to be less defensive, to stop thinking that the rest of the world has a secret agenda, and to listen to what the world has to say
The Embassies around the world scrutinize the foreign press and report back to their governments. I believe if you say something often enough, the other party will finally have to listen and respond. If we are genuine enough, you and I can play a part in hastening the process of change in China by expressing your feelings to the government of China. Write to the local newspaper and the Chinese Ambassador, wherever you are.
We should do likewise to the Governments of every country, on any issue that can improve the lives of their people. It will be good for the world.
Saturday 26 April 2008
Sunday 20 April 2008
A Sunday walk in the domain
Discussing about life, a friend shared that 10 years is 3,650 days. Does not sound like much. This is how I am spending one day.
It is Sunday morning and I am walking through the Botanic Gardens and the domain, heading for Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. Named after the wife of a Governor of New South Wales, it is a ledge carved out of a rock occupying a prominent point in the domain. It was where the governor’s wife would sit and admire beautiful Sydney Harbour.
I wonder how the view is?
Today is not exactly Sydney’s best autumn weather. It is wet and overcast. The gloomy weather will hang around for another 5 days. After two years of really dry weather, drought and water rationing, I have not heard anybody complain about the many wet days we have had this year.
I arrived to see a few people holding some banners. A Free Tibet protest? No. A pro-China protest? No. The banners say “Banish the Chinese Communist Party - Free China”. Surprise of the day.
If Mrs. Macquarie were sitting here today, what would she see? A JetCat ferrying people to Manly, “a thousand miles from care”, people scaling the Harbour Bridge even in wet weather, joggers running to a longer life, a QANTAS jet in the distance, a lone fisherman increasing his chances with three rods, and scores of Chinese tourists. A snapshot of life – commerce, leisure and pleasure.
I have read another version of the Chair. The story goes that Mrs. Macquarie would sit there to longingly wait for her husband’s return when he went for a business trip to England. It must have taken him about a year or two to make a return trip to England in 1816. These days, the QANTAS flight takes about 24 hours each way.
Time has changed, even though 10 years is still 3,650 days. It may not seem much. Consolation - we can actually do more in 3,650 days than in Mrs. Macquarie’s time.
Now where am I? O.k. how’s the view of the Sydney from this angle? I also wonder if we look at our own life from a different perspective, will we appreciate it more?
The Sydney harbour and skyline look great. Sydney is beautiful, no matter from what angle, what season, and what weather.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life is like that – no matter what season of life, and how rough the going is, and from what perspective, we can still say it is beautiful?
It is Sunday morning and I am walking through the Botanic Gardens and the domain, heading for Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. Named after the wife of a Governor of New South Wales, it is a ledge carved out of a rock occupying a prominent point in the domain. It was where the governor’s wife would sit and admire beautiful Sydney Harbour.
I wonder how the view is?
Today is not exactly Sydney’s best autumn weather. It is wet and overcast. The gloomy weather will hang around for another 5 days. After two years of really dry weather, drought and water rationing, I have not heard anybody complain about the many wet days we have had this year.
I arrived to see a few people holding some banners. A Free Tibet protest? No. A pro-China protest? No. The banners say “Banish the Chinese Communist Party - Free China”. Surprise of the day.
If Mrs. Macquarie were sitting here today, what would she see? A JetCat ferrying people to Manly, “a thousand miles from care”, people scaling the Harbour Bridge even in wet weather, joggers running to a longer life, a QANTAS jet in the distance, a lone fisherman increasing his chances with three rods, and scores of Chinese tourists. A snapshot of life – commerce, leisure and pleasure.
I have read another version of the Chair. The story goes that Mrs. Macquarie would sit there to longingly wait for her husband’s return when he went for a business trip to England. It must have taken him about a year or two to make a return trip to England in 1816. These days, the QANTAS flight takes about 24 hours each way.
Time has changed, even though 10 years is still 3,650 days. It may not seem much. Consolation - we can actually do more in 3,650 days than in Mrs. Macquarie’s time.
Now where am I? O.k. how’s the view of the Sydney from this angle? I also wonder if we look at our own life from a different perspective, will we appreciate it more?
The Sydney harbour and skyline look great. Sydney is beautiful, no matter from what angle, what season, and what weather.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life is like that – no matter what season of life, and how rough the going is, and from what perspective, we can still say it is beautiful?
Saturday 19 April 2008
Improving a Society
It takes a great leader to show the way. He may not have all the answers. But who has?
What did he do?
He said sorry to the indigenous people for their “lost generation”. He selects the first female Governor-General for the country.
He commits himself to the job from day one. He says to the people that his ministers are going to work hard, even on public holidays. He made no real promise but he tells the people that he shares their pains and aspirations.
He makes large symbolic changes. He takes his cabinet meetings on the road, throwing the first day meeting to the public in a country town, so that the people can pose questions directly to his cabinet, their government. And he is going to hold such meetings all over the country. The people can have their say. Isn’t it a wonderful change? He engages the people.
He makes big decisions that previous leaders had stagnated on. Without hesitation, he made big commitments to solve problems that had been nagging the country for a long while – the water problem, the relationship between state and federal governments, and so on. These are decisions that clearly demonstrated that he is a man of action, not a talker.
Today and tomorrow, he chairs a National 2020 Summit for a selected group of 1,000 people representing all sectors of society to discuss the future for the country. The people can get involved in deciding the country’s future. The people must have their say. It is too important to leave it to the parliamentarians. In announcing the summit idea, he said (as quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald) “We therefore open the doors of this great parliament to the nation’s best and brightest brains in order to harness those ideas to shape the nation’s long term future…I think it is time for a new approach”.
An edited version of a speech he made to the Sydney Institute on April 16, 2008 was published in the Sydney Morning Herald. Let me quote from his “broad outline of the government’s vision for the nation’s future”.
“Part of our vision is to give every opportunity to individuals to provide for their own future by rewarding hard work, enterprise and success, while part of our vision also goes to a contrasting (but at the same time reinforcing) sense of social responsibility……
I believe that as a nation we need to come together around clear, long-term goals for the Australia of 2020 and beyond. These objectives should be ambitious. Excessive caution and a fear of failure should not hold us back…….
In the century ahead, it’s not unreasonable for Australia to aspire to be the best place on earth to live, to gain an education, to work and to raise a family….
We can also be a nation with a sense of wider purpose, not a nation turned in to itself and occupied only with its own future……
We can either drift into the future or we can take hold of the future with our own hands to shape the future, to seize the day”.
Wouldn’t it be nice for all countries to have leaders who are committed to improving their society? And to lead the way in making their society a better place to live in.
Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, you deserve the kudos. You have shown great leadership. I hope you will also include the poorer nations in your “wider purpose” for Australia to engage the world.
Richer societies, such as Australia, must not forget the rest of the world who are poorer. That should be part of the national conscience. Only then can Australia regard itself as a good society.
What did he do?
He said sorry to the indigenous people for their “lost generation”. He selects the first female Governor-General for the country.
He commits himself to the job from day one. He says to the people that his ministers are going to work hard, even on public holidays. He made no real promise but he tells the people that he shares their pains and aspirations.
He makes large symbolic changes. He takes his cabinet meetings on the road, throwing the first day meeting to the public in a country town, so that the people can pose questions directly to his cabinet, their government. And he is going to hold such meetings all over the country. The people can have their say. Isn’t it a wonderful change? He engages the people.
He makes big decisions that previous leaders had stagnated on. Without hesitation, he made big commitments to solve problems that had been nagging the country for a long while – the water problem, the relationship between state and federal governments, and so on. These are decisions that clearly demonstrated that he is a man of action, not a talker.
Today and tomorrow, he chairs a National 2020 Summit for a selected group of 1,000 people representing all sectors of society to discuss the future for the country. The people can get involved in deciding the country’s future. The people must have their say. It is too important to leave it to the parliamentarians. In announcing the summit idea, he said (as quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald) “We therefore open the doors of this great parliament to the nation’s best and brightest brains in order to harness those ideas to shape the nation’s long term future…I think it is time for a new approach”.
An edited version of a speech he made to the Sydney Institute on April 16, 2008 was published in the Sydney Morning Herald. Let me quote from his “broad outline of the government’s vision for the nation’s future”.
“Part of our vision is to give every opportunity to individuals to provide for their own future by rewarding hard work, enterprise and success, while part of our vision also goes to a contrasting (but at the same time reinforcing) sense of social responsibility……
I believe that as a nation we need to come together around clear, long-term goals for the Australia of 2020 and beyond. These objectives should be ambitious. Excessive caution and a fear of failure should not hold us back…….
In the century ahead, it’s not unreasonable for Australia to aspire to be the best place on earth to live, to gain an education, to work and to raise a family….
We can also be a nation with a sense of wider purpose, not a nation turned in to itself and occupied only with its own future……
We can either drift into the future or we can take hold of the future with our own hands to shape the future, to seize the day”.
Wouldn’t it be nice for all countries to have leaders who are committed to improving their society? And to lead the way in making their society a better place to live in.
Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, you deserve the kudos. You have shown great leadership. I hope you will also include the poorer nations in your “wider purpose” for Australia to engage the world.
Richer societies, such as Australia, must not forget the rest of the world who are poorer. That should be part of the national conscience. Only then can Australia regard itself as a good society.
Monday 14 April 2008
The Cancer of Society - Corruption
Corruption is a cancer. If embedded into the fabric of society, it will slowly choke a country to death. When the society has a culture of corruption, it is difficult to dislodge it.
Examples of corruption
Policemen standing at road junctions to solicit money from minor traffic offences.
Policemen at highways who will claim that speed limits had been exceeded.
Immigration officers who will not allow a visitor with a valid visa to enter a country, or leave “because the visa was issued somewhere else”.
Paying a sum of cash “under the counter” to buy a house. The developer claims they have to pay cash to government officials to get their approval to build the houses.
Politicians and civil servants taking a cut from any project they approve.
Awarding tenders to relatives, friends, or people who pay bribes.
Selling government assets for below market price without proper tendering.
In some countries, corruption may be disguised as corporate political donations.
Consequences of corruption
Society suffers. You can never have faith in the system because you fear that compromises have been made in everything. You cannot be sure if buildings, bridges, and roads have met the specifications because you fear that builders could bribe inspectors if they have deficient work, or they have to cut costs to pay bribes. Planes, ships, ferries, trains, buses, and lifts may not be safe or comply with safety requirements. Has the servicing and parts been compromised? Foreign consumers prefer not to buy products from a country where corruption is endemic? Can you trust the standards?
Politicians and their families and cronies work together to take cuts from public projects. They hold on to power by whatever means, or they sponsor successors who will not persecute them.
The sad part is that in corrupt societies, you cannot engage in most activities without encountering demands for bribery; life becomes an endless series of payment of bribes. Anyone who has a little power over you can demand a payment if you need his/her help.
Corrupt societies reward people for the wrong skills Success in life will be a result not of skills but of cleverness in playing the corruption game. It depends on who you know rather than how smart you are. Easy money comes to those who enjoy the patronage of the politicians. There is no competition in business, so businesses never need to improve their services or products. The door is virtually closed off to anyone unless he/she plays the game of giving bribes to the decision makers and their masters.
The judiciary system will not be fair, so you live in fear. Criminals can get away with acquittals or lower sentences. Crooked cops can arrest you on trumped-up charges. The rich can get away with murder; the poor end up in jail.
And of course, the electoral system is also corrupted to keep the same leaders in power.
Opponents of corruption end up in jail.
Corruption must be one of the main causes of poverty in many countries, as well as an impediment to progress. For a list of the most corrupted countries in the world, look at http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781359.html Needless to say, the more corrupted countries are also the poorest countries.
Under what conditions will corruption thrive? In an autocratic society where there is no real democratic rights (as in a dictatorship, or in a so-called democracy where people do not have much rights). Leaders wield so much power that nobody can get them to account for any corrupt act or conflict of interest. There is no transparency and the press does not have real freedom. The judiciary system and the police toe the line of the corrupted leaders. Corruption erodes human rights. Corruption is the price a society pays for the lack of democratic rights.
Can we rid ourselves of this evil?
Do I think it will be easy? Of course, I do not. If I am short of ideas, it is understandable. Every issue of public interest will be complex. Resolution begins with discussion and a meeting of minds.
In a corrupt, the people can feel powerless and helpless. How do they get rid of corrupt leaders if there is no real democracy?
The international community has to play a part. The media, union movement, international aid agencies, and NGO’s may be the parties that can play a concerted role to highlight corruption and its impact on various countries, and put pressure on the corrupt leaders. The international banking system must clean itself of corrupt money. Multi-national corporations should re-affirm their stand against corruption, not just pay lip service, and tie foreign aid with a charter against corruption that governments must sign and act on. The whole world should take a stand against corruption.
The local media and people have to start the change by making known their disgust of corruption.
Obviously, corrupted people will never let an honest leader emerge. That’s asking for trouble. Perhaps there will be a leader who will play the game until he/she makes it to the top, then gathers enough strength and support to change society. Is there a way anything that we can do to support honest leaders?
Or the people will have to elect an honest politician from an opposition party. Even then, he or she will have an uphill battle to eradicate corruption. This brings to mind Cory Aquino, ex-president of the Philippines, who attempted to do just that.
It goes to say that corruption must be nipped in the bud. Do not give corruption any chance to take hold and become the way of life.
I am keen about a shame row (borrowing from the “death row”) or hall of shame (“hall of fame”) to shame the leaders of corrupted countries on the world wide web. Put up their photographs and list the wealth they have accumulated.
What can humanity do about corruption?
Examples of corruption
Policemen standing at road junctions to solicit money from minor traffic offences.
Policemen at highways who will claim that speed limits had been exceeded.
Immigration officers who will not allow a visitor with a valid visa to enter a country, or leave “because the visa was issued somewhere else”.
Paying a sum of cash “under the counter” to buy a house. The developer claims they have to pay cash to government officials to get their approval to build the houses.
Politicians and civil servants taking a cut from any project they approve.
Awarding tenders to relatives, friends, or people who pay bribes.
Selling government assets for below market price without proper tendering.
In some countries, corruption may be disguised as corporate political donations.
Consequences of corruption
Society suffers. You can never have faith in the system because you fear that compromises have been made in everything. You cannot be sure if buildings, bridges, and roads have met the specifications because you fear that builders could bribe inspectors if they have deficient work, or they have to cut costs to pay bribes. Planes, ships, ferries, trains, buses, and lifts may not be safe or comply with safety requirements. Has the servicing and parts been compromised? Foreign consumers prefer not to buy products from a country where corruption is endemic? Can you trust the standards?
Politicians and their families and cronies work together to take cuts from public projects. They hold on to power by whatever means, or they sponsor successors who will not persecute them.
The sad part is that in corrupt societies, you cannot engage in most activities without encountering demands for bribery; life becomes an endless series of payment of bribes. Anyone who has a little power over you can demand a payment if you need his/her help.
Corrupt societies reward people for the wrong skills Success in life will be a result not of skills but of cleverness in playing the corruption game. It depends on who you know rather than how smart you are. Easy money comes to those who enjoy the patronage of the politicians. There is no competition in business, so businesses never need to improve their services or products. The door is virtually closed off to anyone unless he/she plays the game of giving bribes to the decision makers and their masters.
The judiciary system will not be fair, so you live in fear. Criminals can get away with acquittals or lower sentences. Crooked cops can arrest you on trumped-up charges. The rich can get away with murder; the poor end up in jail.
And of course, the electoral system is also corrupted to keep the same leaders in power.
Opponents of corruption end up in jail.
Corruption must be one of the main causes of poverty in many countries, as well as an impediment to progress. For a list of the most corrupted countries in the world, look at http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781359.html Needless to say, the more corrupted countries are also the poorest countries.
Under what conditions will corruption thrive? In an autocratic society where there is no real democratic rights (as in a dictatorship, or in a so-called democracy where people do not have much rights). Leaders wield so much power that nobody can get them to account for any corrupt act or conflict of interest. There is no transparency and the press does not have real freedom. The judiciary system and the police toe the line of the corrupted leaders. Corruption erodes human rights. Corruption is the price a society pays for the lack of democratic rights.
Can we rid ourselves of this evil?
Do I think it will be easy? Of course, I do not. If I am short of ideas, it is understandable. Every issue of public interest will be complex. Resolution begins with discussion and a meeting of minds.
In a corrupt, the people can feel powerless and helpless. How do they get rid of corrupt leaders if there is no real democracy?
The international community has to play a part. The media, union movement, international aid agencies, and NGO’s may be the parties that can play a concerted role to highlight corruption and its impact on various countries, and put pressure on the corrupt leaders. The international banking system must clean itself of corrupt money. Multi-national corporations should re-affirm their stand against corruption, not just pay lip service, and tie foreign aid with a charter against corruption that governments must sign and act on. The whole world should take a stand against corruption.
The local media and people have to start the change by making known their disgust of corruption.
Obviously, corrupted people will never let an honest leader emerge. That’s asking for trouble. Perhaps there will be a leader who will play the game until he/she makes it to the top, then gathers enough strength and support to change society. Is there a way anything that we can do to support honest leaders?
Or the people will have to elect an honest politician from an opposition party. Even then, he or she will have an uphill battle to eradicate corruption. This brings to mind Cory Aquino, ex-president of the Philippines, who attempted to do just that.
It goes to say that corruption must be nipped in the bud. Do not give corruption any chance to take hold and become the way of life.
I am keen about a shame row (borrowing from the “death row”) or hall of shame (“hall of fame”) to shame the leaders of corrupted countries on the world wide web. Put up their photographs and list the wealth they have accumulated.
What can humanity do about corruption?
Monday 7 April 2008
What is a Good Society?
If you look at the recent Zimbabwe and Kenya election, the decision of the Kosovo people to make a self-declared independence, the Tibetan demonstration against Chinese rule, and the assassination attempt on the President of East Timor, you may want to ask if these snapshots are symptomatic of society.
Society is about us, the people, the culture and all the institutions that we put in place to put order into our lives. The people may not be completely responsible for the way society turns out, but they are part and parcel of it. What the people have created or allow to be created, perhaps only the people can unwind through the choice of better leaders and better institutions, to ensure that the society will be good.
What constitutes a good society?
A good society values its people. It looks after the poor and weak. It respects peoples’ freedom and constitutional rights.
The people elect the government in free and regular elections. The politicians are servants of the people, having been put into office by the people, for the people.
The activities of the leaders, politicians and government are transparent for all to see. A legal system ensures that everybody is accountable for his /her actions, no matter how powerful the person is.
No group can bully or discriminate against another, and there is equal opportunity.
The justice system functions independently from political interference.
People can trust the government. They do not have to live in fear.
There is no corruption, so the people know that their leaders, politicians, public servants, and anybody in a position of power will make decisions without compromise and without conflict of interest.
The people have the right to dissent without repercussions. Discussions/negotiations and legal means are used to settle disputes. Not violence or war.
Apart from all the institutions and systems that have been put in place for society to run smoothly, the people themselves are law abiding, civic-minded, accept that there is diversity in society, and have love for their fellow human beings and compassion for those in need, even if they may be different.
These are not ideals. These are the characteristics that we should expect in any society.
A good or even great society - is this not what every country should aspire for?
We should campaign for good governments in every country. As part of that, we should have a code of good practice in government for all to see and apply. We must, in very clear and strong terms, declare that we want good governments. At any election, we should ask the candidates, notwithstanding their political inclinations, to declare that they will comply with such a code.
We should shame the leaders who have allowed their countries to deteriorate, and not make any progress to being a good society.
The world wide web has enabled each of us to disseminate information and news efficiently. Let us use it to make the world a better place.
Society is about us, the people, the culture and all the institutions that we put in place to put order into our lives. The people may not be completely responsible for the way society turns out, but they are part and parcel of it. What the people have created or allow to be created, perhaps only the people can unwind through the choice of better leaders and better institutions, to ensure that the society will be good.
What constitutes a good society?
A good society values its people. It looks after the poor and weak. It respects peoples’ freedom and constitutional rights.
The people elect the government in free and regular elections. The politicians are servants of the people, having been put into office by the people, for the people.
The activities of the leaders, politicians and government are transparent for all to see. A legal system ensures that everybody is accountable for his /her actions, no matter how powerful the person is.
No group can bully or discriminate against another, and there is equal opportunity.
The justice system functions independently from political interference.
People can trust the government. They do not have to live in fear.
There is no corruption, so the people know that their leaders, politicians, public servants, and anybody in a position of power will make decisions without compromise and without conflict of interest.
The people have the right to dissent without repercussions. Discussions/negotiations and legal means are used to settle disputes. Not violence or war.
Apart from all the institutions and systems that have been put in place for society to run smoothly, the people themselves are law abiding, civic-minded, accept that there is diversity in society, and have love for their fellow human beings and compassion for those in need, even if they may be different.
These are not ideals. These are the characteristics that we should expect in any society.
A good or even great society - is this not what every country should aspire for?
We should campaign for good governments in every country. As part of that, we should have a code of good practice in government for all to see and apply. We must, in very clear and strong terms, declare that we want good governments. At any election, we should ask the candidates, notwithstanding their political inclinations, to declare that they will comply with such a code.
We should shame the leaders who have allowed their countries to deteriorate, and not make any progress to being a good society.
The world wide web has enabled each of us to disseminate information and news efficiently. Let us use it to make the world a better place.
Thursday 3 April 2008
The Old Way of Losing Weight
More people are having weight problem. I do sympathise with them. So it is not a bad idea to share our (insignificant) experiences about diets and weight management.
I am not a heavy person, but five months ago, I found that I had put on six extra kilos and my health seemed to have been affected. I had added some inches to my girth and carried a small spare tyre (or beer gut, come to think of it) that I thought was impossible to get rid off.
My normal diet had some good and bad aspects. I do not usually consume sugar except for what is contained in my food. But I loved bread, butter, rice, pasta, pizza and generally have a high carbohydrate diet. I also enjoy chocolates, and deserts.
However I was able to shed 6 kilos in three months as well as got rid of my spare tyre. I am trimmer, fitter and feel good about myself.
There is no secret diet. No astronaut diet; no special diet; no starving and bingeing. Just old-fashioned weight reduction.
Initially, I started by eating only half the lunch or dinner that I normally take. Note: I eat the same foods. Initially it required a bit of getting used to. So I split my normal plate of food into two, and consume one portion. Initially I would get hungry after a while. So I would eat the other portion, perhaps 2 hours after the first portion. After a couple of days, my stomach seemed to have shrunk and I no longer had to eat both portions. One was enough. So I had succeeded in cutting down my food intake.
For exercise to burn up the calories, I walked about three kilometers (about 40 minutes) in the evening. Initially this was at a leisurely pace. After a few days, the legs were happy to pick up speed. This simple exercise can work up quite a sweat. On weekends, I may do the same walk two or even three times a day.
Do you know why it is good to walk before your meal? After the walk, your body requires water more than food, so you are likely to eat less.
After a week, my weight had started to go down. At some periods, I was even worried that the weight was going down too fast. I eventually lost about 7 kg i.e. 10% of my body weight.
With a fair bit of Easter chocolates, the weight has gone up one kilo. I am happy with 70 kg. I am much fitter and am able to climb up steps two at a time without efforts.
The simple principle is to burn more calories than you take into your body. So a bit of walking and a reduced intake will start to work in a wonderful way.
This was my way. No fees. No frill. No pain. Eat less. Keep walking.
I am not a heavy person, but five months ago, I found that I had put on six extra kilos and my health seemed to have been affected. I had added some inches to my girth and carried a small spare tyre (or beer gut, come to think of it) that I thought was impossible to get rid off.
My normal diet had some good and bad aspects. I do not usually consume sugar except for what is contained in my food. But I loved bread, butter, rice, pasta, pizza and generally have a high carbohydrate diet. I also enjoy chocolates, and deserts.
However I was able to shed 6 kilos in three months as well as got rid of my spare tyre. I am trimmer, fitter and feel good about myself.
There is no secret diet. No astronaut diet; no special diet; no starving and bingeing. Just old-fashioned weight reduction.
Initially, I started by eating only half the lunch or dinner that I normally take. Note: I eat the same foods. Initially it required a bit of getting used to. So I split my normal plate of food into two, and consume one portion. Initially I would get hungry after a while. So I would eat the other portion, perhaps 2 hours after the first portion. After a couple of days, my stomach seemed to have shrunk and I no longer had to eat both portions. One was enough. So I had succeeded in cutting down my food intake.
For exercise to burn up the calories, I walked about three kilometers (about 40 minutes) in the evening. Initially this was at a leisurely pace. After a few days, the legs were happy to pick up speed. This simple exercise can work up quite a sweat. On weekends, I may do the same walk two or even three times a day.
Do you know why it is good to walk before your meal? After the walk, your body requires water more than food, so you are likely to eat less.
After a week, my weight had started to go down. At some periods, I was even worried that the weight was going down too fast. I eventually lost about 7 kg i.e. 10% of my body weight.
With a fair bit of Easter chocolates, the weight has gone up one kilo. I am happy with 70 kg. I am much fitter and am able to climb up steps two at a time without efforts.
The simple principle is to burn more calories than you take into your body. So a bit of walking and a reduced intake will start to work in a wonderful way.
This was my way. No fees. No frill. No pain. Eat less. Keep walking.
Tuesday 1 April 2008
The Art of Living Simply
Footprints on the sands of time (see previous posting). Talk about carbon footprints.
Two days ago was Earth Watch Hour. Many cities around the world participated by switching off some lights for an hour.
There was also a show on TV called Outrageous Wasters which featured a family in England who generated five times more carbon dioxide a year than the average family. Predictably, the family turned greenie by the end of the show.
There is no reason why each and every one of us cannot be mindful of the environment.
Here’s the art of living simply.
Do:
Reduce the use of electricity – turn off lights, use energy-efficient machines,
Reduce the use of petroleum – use public transport, use fuel efficient cars, avoid the car if you can ride or walk, run a few errands on every car trip, share a car,
Recycle. Put papers, glass and metal containers for recycling.
Give away things you do not use anymore e.g. clothes, baby prams, chairs and tables, etc.
Share things so that things get utilized fully e.g. books, lawn mowers, etc.
Do everything in sufficient quantities only; no overcooking, less waste.
Slow down your consumption of things. Don’t buy a new thing as soon as a new model is available. Extend the life of everything..
Re-use things e.g. bricks, timber.
Consume local products which do not need to be freighted half-way round the world.
Grow your own food.
Waste nothing.
Encourage others to do the above.
Is this going to be the new way of life?
Will each individual in the world have a carbon dioxide emission account which will tell how much each generated each year?
Will there be a new capitalism that will lead to a sustainable world?
Till next time. Take care of yourself. And the world.
Two days ago was Earth Watch Hour. Many cities around the world participated by switching off some lights for an hour.
There was also a show on TV called Outrageous Wasters which featured a family in England who generated five times more carbon dioxide a year than the average family. Predictably, the family turned greenie by the end of the show.
There is no reason why each and every one of us cannot be mindful of the environment.
Here’s the art of living simply.
Do:
Reduce the use of electricity – turn off lights, use energy-efficient machines,
Reduce the use of petroleum – use public transport, use fuel efficient cars, avoid the car if you can ride or walk, run a few errands on every car trip, share a car,
Recycle. Put papers, glass and metal containers for recycling.
Give away things you do not use anymore e.g. clothes, baby prams, chairs and tables, etc.
Share things so that things get utilized fully e.g. books, lawn mowers, etc.
Do everything in sufficient quantities only; no overcooking, less waste.
Slow down your consumption of things. Don’t buy a new thing as soon as a new model is available. Extend the life of everything..
Re-use things e.g. bricks, timber.
Consume local products which do not need to be freighted half-way round the world.
Grow your own food.
Waste nothing.
Encourage others to do the above.
Is this going to be the new way of life?
Will each individual in the world have a carbon dioxide emission account which will tell how much each generated each year?
Will there be a new capitalism that will lead to a sustainable world?
Till next time. Take care of yourself. And the world.
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