Obesity and Low Fitness Levels in Malaysia
Published in theStar
IN RESPONSE to concerns that obesity and low fitness level are becoming prevalent in Malaysian society,
Nando’s Restaurants has launched Nando’s Health & Nutritional Campaign, themed “Eat Responsibly”.
The Eat Responsibly campaign, which advocates the importance of healthy eating as well as combining it with a proper fitness regime, kicked off on Oct 29 and runs until Jan 3, features a series of activities for consumers.
Work those muscles: The campaign advocates a proper exercise regime together with healthy eating.
“We believe that our core product, which is our signature Peri-Peri Flame Grilled Chicken made from the freshest A-grade butterfly cut chicken, with excess fat trimmed off, no added colourants, flavourants, additives or MSG, would be a healthier meal option due to the ideal calorie count and high protein level,” said Nando’s Restau-rants CEO Mac Chung Lynn at the campaign launch.
Mac added that Nando’s famed ingredient, the Peri-Peri, was rich in vitamins C and A and high in antioxidants, while the capsaicin in chillies helped enhance metabolism.
Nando’s, with the help of Malaysia’s health celebrity Kevin Zahri, has chosen the most suitable sidelines to accompany its existing Peri-Peri Flame Grilled Chicken for the campaign’s Peri Hearty Meal.
Nando’s, with the help of Malaysia’s health celebrity Kevin Zahri, has chosen the most suitable sidelines to accompany its existing Peri-Peri Flame Grilled Chicken for the campaign’s Peri Hearty Meal.
Nando’s Peri Hearty Meal consists of a quarter chicken, with a serving each of grilled vegetables and Mediterranean rice as sidelines. To complement the healthy meal is Coke Light. Nando’s Peri Hearty Meal is available at all Nando’s restaurants for RM17.80.
To encourage consumers to select the Nando’s Peri Hearty Meal, Nando’s will be rewarding five lucky diners with a fun-filled activity holiday package for two to Club Med Cherating.
Work those muscles: The campaign advocates a proper exercise regime together with healthy eating.
There will also be 50 consolation prizes of Nando’s gift vouchers worth RM100. To stand a chance to win the holiday package or vouchers, diners need only to buy dishes worth RM25 at Nando’s, inclusive of at least an order of the Nando’s Peri Hearty Meal.
Nando’s will also be collaborating with Fitness First for a seven-week fitness regime challenge. Two lucky Hitz.Fm listeners will be selected through the radio station’s online search to undergo training along with deejays Jakeman and Rudy under the guidance and supervision of personal trainers from Fitness First.
The lucky listeners will compete against each other to be fitter throughout the seven-week challenge, during which their weight, body fat and Body Mass Index (BMI) will be closely monitored.
The winner will have the opportunity to bring along a friend and holiday together with Jakeman and Rudy at Club Med Cherating.
Meanwhile, Nando’s is also offering Fitness First members the Nando’s Peri Hearty Meal at only RM14.50.
So, the next time you visit Nando’s, you can end up winning something, because at Nando’s, there is always a surprise waiting for you!
It has been a while since
I know it has been a while since I last updated my blog .... do I have a good excuse? Hahaha hmmmm let's just say that this last month or two have been the busiest that I can remember ... let's see
1. Maxhosting.com.my
This is my web company. We have been working extremely hard on making an upcoming merger with another company a reality for Jan 2010. 2010 will be a year where I shall reinvent myself in the IT/Web world. This website will also get a nice revamp.
Did you know that I have build over 30+ websites on my own? Not to forget KevinZahri.com and Cekodok.com ... it takes a lot of work
2. PayComm
I am doing some very cool corporate communications work for a new company called PayComm. I am leading the corporate communications department since October and yeah, it has been extremely busy as well.
Check out an article on Sinar Harian or Harian Metro
3. New book and lots of talks
On the health front, I have been extremely tied up with upcoming books (Calorie guide and "Lose 5kg in 5 Weeks" eBook) and yeah been conducting various health and wellness seminars with the likes of Nando's, Hitachi, Bursa Malaysia and others ...
4. KevinZahri.com Online Store
Oh oh oh and I setup and online store @ kevinzahri.com that will soon feature eBook, books, supplements and more .... check it out! Not much there now but more coming soon.
5. Skin Nutrition Malaysia
In collaboration with Skin Nutrition Malaysia, we will soon be launching a website to sell their high quality skin care and nutritional products online via skinnutrition.com.my. We will launching it before the end of the year with nutritional and skin tips etc.
6. My Wedding
This is probably the most important of them all - my wedding in April 2010! Can't tell you how exciting the whole wedding journey has been .... it sure does take a lot of time planning, traveling, discussions etc but it's all good and yeah a lifetime awaits ... I can't wait!
Do check out the merisik pictures
Interested to Buy Bungalow Villas or Semi-D? Limited Offer
Are you interested to invest in a luxury home?
Is anyone interested to buy Semi D or Bungalow Villa .... limited units available!!!! Contact me if interested. The area is around Bukit Jelutong. Developer is SPK.
Semi D Type C
- lot size : 40' x 80' - 50 ' x 80' / 82' :3,200 sqft
- 10 feet extra land
- 5 bedrooms / 5 bathrooms/ 1 powder room.
- built up : 3,022 sqft
Pricing: RM1,030,000.00-1,215,000.00 (n/b) or MYR 957,900-1,129,950.00 (b). Interested? Contact me today.
Garden Lake Villas
- Lot Size : 75' / 135' x 84' / 87' : 8,400 sqft.
- Built up :4,425
- 6 bedrooms / 6 bathrooms / 1 powder room.
Pricing: RM2,050,000.00 (n/b) or RM1,906,500.00 (b). Interested? Contact me today.
Video - My Sister's Dedication for my Engagement
Following is a engagement dedication video by my sister. This was taken immediately after the ceremony. Why is she dressed in a t-shirt and muka tak mandi?! Coz as my dad said "you are still budak kecik" .. haha ... love you my lil sister nanti during the akad nikah and wedding reception, you will play a big role k.
My Once In a Lifetime Has Started
It's been a while since I posted something personal. Well this does not get anymore personal than this.
My Once in A Lifetime
I love this phrase coz if you are getting married for any other reason than for once in a lifetime ... than well you probably shouldn't. I feel truly blessed to have met my "once in a lifetime" with a beautiful, kindhearted and loving person.
Our story started back in June this year but it has been a truly amazing few month. Yesterday was the first big step for the both us of ..... the merisik! and as you can see from the pictures, it was an amazing experience.
Rio and Kevin - Merisik 2009
Top 5 Health & Fitness Weight Loss eBooks
If you are looking for weight loss tips, its all about having proper guides. Sure books are great but these days, eBooks are a great way to get your hands ...err fingers on great and affordable guides directly online.
Following are five eBooks that are worth checking out (in no particular order).
1. How To Get Ripped Abs
This eBook is all about how to get ripped abs. In the book you will get top secret training methods, nutritional techniques and most importantly unparalleled results. This revolutionary manual will show you everything you need to hit the ground running and start seeing results in DAYS… instead of weeks! It also includes varous freebies like "Lean Bodies Meal Plans", "Meltdown Training Manual -The Key To Rapid Fat Loss In As Little As 40 Minutes 3 Days Per Week!" and more. Get Ripped Abs Today.
2. Lose 20lbs In 28 Days - Warp Speed Fat Loss
Would you like to banish up to 21lbs of nasty fat from your body in the next 28 days? This ebook is for you who may be like many of the people that we work with who are tired of settling for losing only 1-2lbs a week. The author makes use of advanced manipulation of human biochemistry, physiology to maximize fat mobilization and oxidation. Sound confusing? Well...the beauty of the whole thing is that you don’t need to know anything about ANY OF THAT because the author has done the work for you. Lose 20lbs In 28 Days Now.
3. Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle
"Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle" (BFFM) is downloadable 337 page fat burning success manual, jam-packed cover to cover with all the fat loss methods previously known by only a small handful of the worlds best fitness models and world famous bodybuilders. Now you can join this elite group. This program contains all the information you'll ever need to help you melt away body fat permanently without muscle loss and without using drugs or unnecessary supplements. Get Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle.
4. 24 Health and Fitness Questions
Last but not lest, my eBook .... this book is a collection of the 24 most frequently asked health & fitness questions compiled by me - Kevin Zahri throughout my experience in conducting wellness seminars, personal training and online research. Questions cover everything from getting started, health, weight management, nutrition, dieting, supplements, exercise, fitness training and more. This book is for everyone looking for proper fundamentals and basics. Get the answer to 24 Questions now.
5. The Fat Burning Furnace
Fat Burning Blueprint! A brand new, lightning fast fat loss system gives you the exact step by step plan to igniting your fat burning furnace. You will experience 24 hour a day, 7 days a week fat burning. And this is permanent fatloss, not temporary water loss. Also comes with a full year of personal e-mail coaching in case you have a question about any part of this simple program, you can email the author. Get The Fat Burning Furnace.
Ramadhan Training Guide
Yup, it is Ramadhan time again and most of the enquiries you all have been sending have been about just that but since I write about this every year, following are some quick links to help you out.
I personally dont do too much exercise during this month. I use it as a month to rest myself physically and mentally ... but hey, the choice is yours.
Obesity Among Children! Advice for Parents.
I read an article in today's Kosmo about a 9yr old kid from India who weighs 75kg. Now I dont want to talk about her specific case but would like to focus on the general weight problems among kids and teens in Malaysia - its causes and what you as parents can do to help your kids!
What causes obesity among kids?
Times sure have changed from way back in the 80s when I was a lil boy. I remember spending so much time outdoors - climbing trees, playing sports, the sand box haha, the playground ... well you get the idea. Video games were scarce and yeah a luxury.
Kids are clueless about nutrition. Parents, set the rules!
I didn't know much about nutrition and like most kids, the green stuff on my dinner plate wasn't too exciting. My mom played an important role to ensure that we ate balanced meals (most of the time). McDonald's and other fast foods were rare treats. We were only allowed ice-cream and sweets over weekends and special occasions. She had rules! These rules became the foundation of my upbringing. Something that stays with me til today and is something I will do with my kids as well.
... We were only allowed ice-cream and sweets over weekends and special occasions ...
Five Reasons Why Kids and Teens are Overweight
- 1. Quality of Life - The overall quality of life in Malaysia is on the rise. This leads to more rewards - more ice cream more sweets.
- 2. Parents are too busy - This is classic. Parents are too busy with their careers and hand over the role of day-care to maids. Problem is, maids are not in control. Most of the time, its the kids that will dictate and push the maids around.
- 3. Video Games and Internet - Well we are all aware on how kids no longer play outdoors and rather stay indoors playing video games or go online ... and yeah, while playing, a glass of milo or chips are always near.
- 4. Our Education system - Physical education and extracurricular activities are a joke in Malaysia. They are often deemed irrelevant as books and exams take first priority.
- 5. Bad Role Models - This is all about the parents. Kids follow in the footsteps of their parents. If parents dont set guidelines and don't look to healthy themselves, kids are likely to follow.
5 + 1 Ways to Combat Obesity Among Kids and Teens
The solution to every problem lies in its problems. Parents need to be aware and play an active role to the problem-solutions.
- 1. Quality of Life - An increase in quality of life doesn't always need to result to more trips to the next buffet. If you have more money to splurge, why not take a vacation that involves outdoor activities? Go snorkeling, climb Mount Kinabalu or pick up new hobbies like salsa, biking etc.
- 2. Parents are too busy - You can't have everything in life. You can't focus all your attentions on your career and hope that by some miracle, your family life is taken care of. Its all about give and take. Parents need to set their priorities. Your children - your family - should be your priority. If it is not, your kids will suffer the consequences of your actions. That's the honest truth.
- 3. Video Games and Internet - Ok sure, we can't avoid these trends but we can control them and that is exactly where parents play in role in setting the guidelines. But hey, when you set a guideline, make sure you enforce it and stay firm. No video games during the week means just that! And if it is safe, get your kids to play outdoors. Make it a rule!
- 4. Our Education system - Unfortunately, we have no control over the current state of our education system. We do however control our own families. Sports play a vital role in developing your kid's social skills and also teaches them about commitment, discipline and makes them competitive in life.
- 5. Bad Role Models - No one wants to be a negative role model to their own kids. Be aware of how your image reflects opon them. Think about the time when you were young and looked at your own parents. Taking good care of your health will instill a positive image in their minds.
- 6. Its never too late - No one likes change but its never too late to start. No matter how old your children are today, it is in your hands and yeah, it is your responsiblity to do what is best for them.
If you have kids or teens who are struggling with their weight, you can sign them up for a personal consultation session with me where we go through everything in detail.
Skin Nutrition Malaysia
I have been fortunate enough to have met Alice Teoh, founder of Emma Lizs salons, during my recent fitness workshop a couple weeks back. Alice's company have exclusive distribution rights to Skin Nutrition in Malaysia and wanted me to try out the products for some possible future collaborations.
About Skin Nutrition
Skin Nutrition is a revolutionary skin care brand leading the way in bio-active skin care, specializing in anti-aging, age reversal, and skin rejuvenation.
Developed in 2002 in the United States, the brand made its debut in Malaysia last June.
Its concept to skin and body wellness is treatment-based, addressing cellular inflammation internally and reversing surface-level ageing signs.
The brand is the brainchild of CEO Richard Purvis, who has a background in consumer goods, nutritional supplements and skincare products.
Featuring over 30 face, body and nutritional products, Skin Nutrition was developed by cosmetic scientist John Knowlton, who is also vice president of research and development of the company.
Skin Nutrition Products I am trying
Alice was so kind to let me choose products from their US website but she added others as well. So here's what I got:
-
Food Supplements:
- Omega 3 Shake: This is a like a meal placement drink. Provides me with a balanced anytime meal. The banana-oat combination tastes great and is very filling. Been using it as an in-between or even a pre-workout drink.
- Omega 3 Anytime Snack Bar: This is a mini version of the shake. Carries less calories and protein than the shake but obviously more practical on the road. Brought a few with me whilst traveling to Johor this weekend. Again, taste is very rich, keeps my hunger in check and most importantly, it's a healthy-high-fibre anytime snack.
- Alpha Lipic Acid: Also known as ALA, is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell in the body. It's needed by the body to produce the energy for our body's normal functions. Alpha lipoic acid converts glucose into energy. ALA is also an antioxidant, a substance that neutralizes potentially harmful chemicals called free radicals.
- Body Beautiful: It combines a unique blend of ingredients that promote beautiful skin, hair, and nails, burn stored fat, help fight cellulite, curb appetite, heighten energy levels, and combat free radicals.
- DMAE: This is a supplement not many know about. I personally familiarized myself with DMAE through weight training as it plays a role in improving muscle tone, weight management and yeah, anti-aging.
-
Skin Care:
- Cleansing Gel: Ok I am no expert when it comes to skin care but this would be your facial wash. This is the first step in cleansing my face.
- Toner: A clarifying toner infused with the anti-oxidant benefits to protect against free radicals, purify and soothe the skin, and ready it for the next step - moisture application.
- Revitalizing Serum: Essentially a moisturizer to give dull, tired, dry, lifeless, or stressed skin an immediate lift and boost of complexion radiance.
If you want to find out more about Skin Nutrition, check out their website.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-08-03
- Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-27:
wow its been a long day again …. web consultation stuff …. n.. http://bit.ly/14p1Ue # - Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-27 http://bit.ly/14p1Ue #
- A girl is yelling at above my apartment block 'u get the f**k out now' again n again. Women n their drama. #
- When a couple fights, most of the time, one only hears the women yelling while the guy is strangly aroused by the aggression haha #
- 1 day tak check email ..... 300+ new messages ....... Oh My God. #
- Its 438am ... and m tossling (hope I spelled that right) in my bed ... my mind is in overdrive #
- 630am ..... Hv counted some 12587 kambings already ... Maybe I should count ayams instead or ayam gorengs? #
- Personally, today is shitty. Business wise its been good. Another one of those 'bersyukur dgn apa yg ada' days. #
- going for a jog ..... first jog of the year .... i hate jogging. #
- ist ja nun zeit fuer Rocky und "Eye Of The Tiger" ..... muss mich wiedermal aufheben. Los gehts! #
- ampang point birds shat all over my ride again! thanks ..... just what i needed. #
- Video 8TV Quickie with Kevin Zahri http://bit.ly/AIvw4 #
- Video 8TV Quickie with Kevin Zahri: Following is a copy of my guest appearance on Malaysia’s 8TV Quickie h.. http://bit.ly/AIvw4 #
- Heading to bank negara in a bit for to conduct a health talk and gym orientation for their staff. Should be fun! #
- looking forward to my Biggest Loser Asia screen test on Sunday ... I'm sooo gonna rock their world! #
- Just got this sms 'do u like ladyboys? We can provide for u if u like ladyboy' hahahahahah ladies yes. Lady+boy in 1? No thanx. #
- working out at home to rocky soundtrack ...... feelin like rocky siot ... bring it on. #
- Biggest Loser Asia Auditions in Malaysia http://bit.ly/x0tMX #
- Biggest Loser Asia Auditions in Malaysia:
I’m sure by now, most of you have heard that The Biggest Loser .. http://bit.ly/x0tMX # - Wow ... From wat I gathered, most of my female friends say that if they didn't know me, they wouldn't trust me. That sux. #
- Life, karma and yeah its ironies http://bit.ly/11GVNi #
- Life, karma and yeah its ironies: By the time you read this post, its probably the 10th draft. Just like my turn.. http://bit.ly/11GVNi #
- Goin to jakarta. Gotta clear my head. #
- I did the best I could. Shoud not hv let my guard down. #
- Heading to da curve for BLA audition than tennis ... Life must go on! No regrets! #
- A lil girl just call me n said 'papa, balik cepat sikit tau!' ... I said 'wrong number!' Comel je suara dia. #
- Done with BLA audition. I think it went well. Fingers crossed! #
- Back home after a loooooooong day. #
Life, karma and yeah its ironies
By the time you read this post, its probably the 10th draft. Just like my turning 30 post, not really sure where I am heading with this post ... but its to share and serve as a reminder to myself for the future.
July has been interesting. I realized some things that I never really had to deal with before. A month where instead of giving advice and consultation, I find myself seeking advice from the people close to me. This month has been a good reminder that no matter how strong or successful we are, our own .... or in this case, my own strengths can backfire. A friend of mine warned me about this not so long ago and yeah, she was right!
I know what I want in life. I know what are the things I value most. Irony is that at times my actions or image do not portray these things.
I dont consider myself famous nor do I want to be. I wrote about this 3 yrs back but again fame has never been a craving of mine. Never will be. I want and live a simple life. Generally I dont care too about what strangers think about me. I can't please the world and dont try to but when a person I care about is influenced by these "opinions", it is harder to digest - lagi2 if I have no control over them. If that is the price of fame than I dont need it.
Talking about control. I am very good at controlling myself - my health, my career .. my life. Control gives me stability ... but was reminded this month that I can't control everything. Rather than trying to control the situation, I must learn to take a step back no matter how much I want it.
Victories give you confidence but can lead to over-confidence and carelessness. Everyone needs to face defeat as a reminder that we need to remain humble. This month I am glad to have been humbled in the hope that it will lead to success in the future.
I have my priorities. I now need to make sure that the things in my life are aligned to make it as easy as possible to accomplish.