Stretch: The Pretzel (a.k.a Glute Stretch)

I think all of us are probably guilty of not being flexible enough – or if you’re active, not stretching after exercise enough.

So here’s the stretch of the week to practice! It’s easy, simple and feels great. It has a nickname as the “Pretzel Stretch” because that’s what you end up looking like – but [...]

Muscle makes you skinnier

When you’re trying to lose weight or if you notice that you’re doing active sports and the numbers on the scales are going up – It’s not always accurate to rely on this number to tell you the truth about whether you’re getting ‘fatter’ or not as they can’t tell the difference between lean muscle [...]

Should you exercise in smoke haze?

Recently Singapore experienced it’s heaviest smoke haze since 2006 which led me to research on whether it’s harmful to exercise in such conditions.

Across the island, every 3 hours the smoke levels are measured according to The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI). On Thursday 21st October at 6pm, they reached a 4 year high of 108 putting [...]

Common mistakes that sabotage your weight loss and exercise effort

You’ve probably heard it a million times, the only way to ever lose weight is to exercise and Singaporeans are buying into this exercise craze. Fitness Gyms are opening up in every corner of the Island as more and more people are rushing to sign up to exercise. There is also an increase in participation [...]

What is Lactic Acid?

Ever notice that when you run, you can breathe easily initially and then you get more and more out of breath and start to breathe faster trying to gasp for more oxygen. Your legs starts to burn and they feel heavier with each step. Finally, it hurts so bad and you feel totally out of breath [...]

Improve your Core Strength: The Plank

Some of the most important muscles to keep in tip-top shape are those of your torso. They have been popularly named “core” muscles as they are located in the centre of your body and play a core role in most biomechanical actions you do.

Having strong core muscles keeps your back healthy, they hold your entire [...]

What is delayed muscle soreness?

This is dedicated to my Austcham Paddling team mates who do the Beefcake land training sessions and have very sore muscles after Monday!

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness a.k.a DOMS. This is the post-exercise muscle pain you feel after exercising which is typically worse 2 – 3 days later. DOMS occurs when you make your muscles do [...]

Do you burn more calories when it’s hot?

I was asked this question over 1 week ago – and my initial answer was – NO! Because the body is designed to sweat which is an inbuilt temperature regulator to stop our body from overheating. Our circulating blood also travels to the surface of our body to cool down before returning to vital organs [...]

How to calculate calorie expenditure correctly

How many calories you burn depends on the whether you’re male or female, the intensity, the muscles used and duration of the activity.

I often forget to mention these things when writing about how many calories I personally use up during activities. So it’s only fair to write a disclaimer about the important things to factor [...]

Dance off those Calories

Ok party people…. I know the weekend is nearly here so I thought I’d provide some comic relief in the proactive health care department!

Most of us throw buy antibiotics online care into the wind over the weekends as we laze on the couch, relax, socialise with friends, shop, eat, drink, eat, drink, eat, drink, [...]

Outrigger Paddling in Singapore

My newest love is paddling! I love, love, love it. After a long week at work there is nothing I look forward to more than hitting the water to paddle on the weekend.

Since buy medications moving to Singapore I initially joined the Aussie Dragon Boat Paddling team and hardly miss a session every weekend [...]

Paddling at Sentosa

Another great weekend of paddling at Sentosa for me!

I arrived to my Outrigger training on Sunday hoping for an easier session as I was feeling a little…. well let’s just say ‘fragile’ – but that hope was soon squashed when I found out we’d be taking the OC1’s out. I was a little nervous [...]

Post-Paddle Soreness…. Ouch!

I went a little crazy on the weekend… … after relaxing for 6 weeks over xmas / NY I decided to begin my paddling training with 4 sessions in one weekend.

I knew I was going to be in a world of pain after the 3rd session on Saturday when I was aching just standing still. [...]

Outrigger Racing at Sentosa

Took part in my 1st outrigger race at Sentosa. The first race was a 12 km race the length of the island, up and around a few buoys. We got off to a bad start as we got sandwiched inbetween the other Aussie boat and the rookies. The rookies should have moved over to give us some more room – but with currents & waves & rookie drivers – it ended up in a little bit of a crash. Later in the afternoon we then did Mixed team race. I guess the best way to describe it was like a relay.

Dragon Boating in Singapore

Austcham Paddle Club in Singapore – Paddle with the aussies!

Establishing a fitness routine as an individual takes alot of self motivation and discipline. It’s a very lonely world running & gymming daily without a training parter – which is why I’m a big fan of team / group sport. When you commit to a team [...]

keep looking »

ShoutBox

Last Message

14 hours, 24 minutes

ago

Guest_4235 : HI, I started to have Starbucks breakfast recently. the sandwiches and wraps looks much healthier than other fast food joints'. I did research on their official website, where I can only find US breakfast items. SG's food items are slightly different, and their local website did not capture any.Could you please help to get some info on that? I love their egg white redpepper mushroom wrap.

Guest_1550 : i hope you post more articles on the calories! probably the kind of noodles or rice calories, along with the fruit juices!

Guest_124 : «link»
Rid : Like your blog, perhaps a compilation of top 10 hawker stall healthy food. For foreigners who don't completely understand the food, eating out on a diet is often difficult. =)
Guest_262 : YEA!! please advise more of the new year goodies nutriution facts!
Guest_2848 : HI, Nat, can you give some advise on CNY food? Yu Sheng, pork jerks and dumplings. Thanks!!!
Guest_2077 : I hope you can update more often
Guest_218 : Hello! could you do a post on nutritional content of local snacks - for example soon kueh, ang ku kueh, and malay kuehs. Thanks so much!
Fat belly : Hello! I'm confused. I've read protein helps in weight loss, but some articles mention it helps to gain weight! So which is the right one? I don't wan to end up gaining instead of losing. Please help! Thanks!=)
Ri here!!! : I love the article....
Guest_3919 : Hello
belmont : Thanks a lot. I really appreciate the nutrition info articles.
Guest_3506 : how much calories in white wheel shaped pellet snacks
s1190 : Hi there, I read a lot of your articles in one go. Great information, great work ! In a few articles you mention 400-500 calories a meal/dish is considered a lot / almost half of requirement. And the average female only need 1200 calories /day and men 1500 / day. I suppose that's basal metabolic rate right ? So If the person do some sedentary activities, the calories needed is more. It's hard to believe that 1200/1500 is the standard. Minus 500 Kcal to lose weight then all day long i could onl
Guest_2834 : Nat, totally agree with your post on bad PT. My previous PT always texting on his phone, ANNOYING~! and it was very awesome of you to post an artical supporting Pauline~!
Guest_2822 : Hello, I understand you did a post on Mr Bean nutritional content before! I recently visited their website and found out that they have a comprehensive listing of their product nutritional information. Simply go to their website and there is this nutritional information button (in a small balloon) for each of their product category under the "products tab"
Guest_3745 : Hi! Would love to know whether there is a significant difference if we ask for evaporated milk instead of coconut milk in certain desserts, e.g. Chendol, Or is it about the same calories since evaporated milk is fattening too? Thanks!
Sally : Hi Nat. I was wondering if you could do a segment on Pepper Lunch. I love that restaurant, but have heard that it is quite unhealthy. Thanks!
Cheryl : Hi Guru, I was wondering, would it be better to not snack at all, or snack on "healthy snacks that can aid weight loss" for example nuts, certain fruit (in moderation)... Because I have a tendency to snack a lot even when Im not hungry. Recently I did try to cut down on my snacking, but a part of me says that these snacks are healthy so I snack even more -.- so.... Any advice? Healthy snack or no snack at all?
Guest_160 : i love this cite so much!! thank you nat!
Guest_3627 : Update leh
Rachel : @Winnie: TaoKaeNoi's grilled seaweed is pretty low-cal and very yummy, only 15 cals for one whole big sheet! The classic flavour is nice. The other 2 are quite spicy.
Rachel : Hi healthguru, please do up another post on bubble tea! It'd be nice to know the actual calorie counts of at least the basic milk tea with pearls for each different brand (koi, gingcha, each a cup, sweet talk) etc as certain brands are notably less milky and creamy than others. Would really appreciate it xx
Winnie : Hi there! Thanks for your really informative and interesting articles! I wanted to ask you more about healthy snacks other than the ones you've mentioned from xndo. Do you have any tips for simple, cheap, low cal yet healthy snacks that we can get at most supermarkets? Would you recommend popcorn or nata de coco? Thanks!
Guest_120 : i eat pau too, thought its steamed n it shd be less sinful, but seems to gain weight by eating it every snack time in morning though.
Melanthe : Sorry, and all kinds of pau too! As I eat pau every morning and i am extremely curious.
Melanthe : Please do a calorie count for Jollibean pancakes- rounds, normal and crispy ones, with all the flavours: green tea, red bean, peanut butter and cheese!
tommy : Hello, I would like to know what's the daily intake requirements for male, age 34 - calories, fat, carbo, sodium or any important things that i should note in my daily meal plans.
Guest_1826 : Hey, could you do a review of the food in Cedele (especially the cakes and sandwiches)? A lot of Singaporeans tend to think that it's a place for healthy dining, but I am a bit skeptical. After all, cakes still do contain a lot of sugar don't they? How healthy can it be?
Guest_3475 : Hello health guru, I hope you can write a post on jollibean pancakes. Because they sell a variety of pancakes and I don't think they have the same amount of calorie as compared to mr bean. For example they sell peanut roll which is a lot bigger then mr bean's pancake.
Guest_2131 : Do u have a breakdown of all types if pau? (yan, redbean)
Guest_4047 : Hi! I had a bowl of Laksa the other day with fish, shrimp and noodles and it was amazing. However, I reckon there are quite a few calories in such a bowl from all the coconut milk added?
Guest_3664 : Hi, i love fillet o fish frm mcdonald. Always ordered one without tartar sauce, how many calories will that be?
Guest_60 : Hi Health Guru, does belgium waffles have more calorie then a 6 inch waffle?
Guest_682 : Hi, what's the breakdown for Lao Ban tau huay (aka beancurd)?
Guest_4220 : Hi Health guru, i'm curious about the nutritional facts for mc d soft serve ice-cream. how can it be so sweet and nice and only 150kcal? is the info reliable?
Guest_2835 : hey your blog is very informative! is it possible to do a write up for jollibean pancakes like you did for mr bean? thank you!
Guest_1872 : Thanks for answering my enquires regardign waffles.
Guest_1960 : Hi We are a group of NUS students doing a survey on Body Image Perceptions among Singaporeans. Pls take 2 min to fill in this short survey. «link» Thanks!
Guest_3774 : Does 60g of waffle equals to 7 inch of waffle?

The Health Guru

Facts, Hints, Tips, Advice and Inspiration on everything to do about health & weight loss.