How does weight loss work?

Weight loss works based on “calories in, calories out”, i.e., you need to be burning more calories than you take in through your daily food intake. The key to managing your weight successfully is in ensuring that the calories that you consume do not exceed the calories that you use. There are also other factors to consider such as your age, body type and metabolism, on top of lifestyle factors such as your daily habits that all come into play into weight gain or loss.

What is the best weight loss treatment?

There are plenty of weight loss treatments available, but TCM slimming is one of the safest and best ways to lose weight. Our Divine Slim TM weight loss program encourages steady weight loss for effective and sustainable weight management. As compared to fad diets (diets that eliminate 1 or more food groups) that leave you feeling hungry and lethargic, or having to rely on machines to see results, our methods are backed by sound TCM principles that focus on facilitating your weight loss goals as well as cater to your overall health needs.

How does TCM help me lose weight?

Following the perspective that excessive weight gain is a symptom of a greater underlying health problem that needs to be addressed, TCM believes that excessive weight gain is due to a Qi deficiency in the spleen, resulting in a slow metabolism, water retention and weight gain. Using Guasha, a form of treatment used in the practice of TCM, special apparatus is used to attain preventive or therapeutic slimming effects. Not only does the treatment regulate blood circulation and detoxify the body, but it also improves your metabolism and digestion for slimming effects. No need for painful surgery, unnecessary machines or intensive diets!

Why should I choose TCM slimming over other weight loss methods?

TCM slimming focuses on returning your body to a balanced, healthy state – so, you can look forward to not only looking good but also feeling good about yourself! Although our weight loss program will help you achieve results, it is important to stay committed to investing in your overall health by paying close attention to your diet and exercise, both during the treatment and post-treatment. Our weight loss treatments are conducted by trained staff that does most of the work for you, so you can look forward to a relaxing treatment.

Who can benefit from TCM slimming treatment?

Both men and women are suitable for our signature Divine Slim TM program.

Whole Post | Slim Couture

How To Dress For Your Body Shape!

March 15, 2016

Blog, Inspiration

Knowing what to wear to flatter your body shape can be a challenge! But keep in mind that clothes are a tool; much like makeup or hair styles, it can be used to create a look you love.

When it comes to looking good, it’s not your size or shape that matters, it’s the fit of your clothes. Wearing the right clothes shouldn’t be about following the latest fashion trends; it should be about choosing what actually suits you and what makes you feel comfortable and confident.

You can change your clothing to have a positive effect on your body. You want to contrast what your body is telling you. If your body is soft, add structure; if it’s angular, add softness. The whole idea is to create balance.”

Triangle Body Shape

Best features: Shapely legs, a trim waist and head-turning hips give your body feminine appeal.

Common pitfalls. You have a slender upper body, so your instinct might be to show it off with slim-fitting shirts. Resist the urge! Tiny tops throw off your body’s balance, making your bottom look bigger than it is.

Tops – When you think about tops, think layers. Creating balance for your shape is all about filling out your upper half. A cardigan is your best friend, because it adds lightweight volume. For cooler weather, try cropped jackets that stop at the waist. Don’t be afraid to show a little skin, too. Three-quarter sleeves, wide scoop necks, and one-shoulder tops all look great on you.

Bottoms – Bootcut pants are best for your body. The slight flare helps to balance out curves, especially if you wear them with a heel to give your legs a little length. Go for dark, medium-rise jeans with simple stitching and pockets in the back. For skirts and dresses, try a classic A-line cut that falls softly over your curves and highlights your trim waist. Avoid high waists and pleated skirts—they’re made for filling out figureless femmes.

Fabrics and Flair – Draw the eye up with bright colors and embellished tops. Saboura says, Try a boatneck shirt with horizontal stripes, or a cardigan with rosette detailing. Chunky jewelry can work well for you too, adding interest up top. Prints and patterns are fine for your lower body, but aim for darker colors.

Circle Body Shape

Best features: Slender legs, slight shoulders and a trim booty give your figure a graceful allure.

Common pitfalls – Circles often try to cover up their bodies, but that’s the opposite of what they should do. Showing off your neckline, forearms and a little leg (just a little!) looks elegantly classy—not to mention younger, longer and leaner.

Tops – Your body is soft and round, so your goal is to add structure, especially on top. Try a structured jacket (like a blazer). Draw angles and lines across your body with wrap dresses or asymmetrical hemlines. Draped fabrics, cowl necks and flutter sleeves look great on you, too, for a feminine flourish. If you feel like you need more support, layer with a dressy tank top that has a bit of lycra.

Bottoms – You’ve got great legs, so show ’em off! A slim, straight leg or bootcut is perfect for you, and wearing a heel takes off a little weight and shows off your legs. Dresses with ruching or gathering hide the tummy, creating an hourglass effect.

Fabrics and Flair – Prints and patterns look great on you, especially on your upper body. Go for large floral or geometric prints to flatter your figure—small prints won’t do the trick. Stick to weighty fabrics (like heavy cotton, wool or muslin) that have more natural structure.

Hourglass Body Shape

Best features: A well-endowed chest, a slim waist and curvy hips make your figure the crème de la crème of feminine beauty.

Common pitfalls. Your figure has natural allure, so you may be tempted to give too much away. “Everyone is trying to mimic the hourglass curve, but you’ve already got it,” Saboura says. “Show off a bit, but don’t give away all your curves.”

Tops – Simplicity is key for you. Look for clean, simple tops with scoop necklines and three-quarter sleeves. Avoid layering, and look for waist belts that help define your tiny tummy. You look best in princess seams—long, shapely seams that gather in at the waist and flare out again at the hips—that have a smooth, snug look and show off your contours. Fitted jackets look great on you, but make sure they’re well-tailored!

Bottoms – You look best in skirts that stop at or below the knee, not above it. Pencil skirts look great on you, as do bootleg pants and skinny jeans. Choose pants or skirts that follow your natural curve, and go for fitted options (but not too tight). Embrace your silhouette, the sexiness is in seeing the curve, not giving it all away.

Fabrics and Flair – Keep it simple with solid colors. Prints can disguise your figure, rather than highlight it. The same goes for fabrics. Avoid extra fabric and draping, and opt for a bit of stretch. Color looks great on your body type, but monochromatic outfits look best.

Ruler Body Shape

Best features: Slender and often athletic, your build is easy to outfit.

Common pitfalls – You have a naturally sporty look, so you may tend to choose simple, fitted cuts. That can actually make you look boxy, instead, you want to use clothing to soften your body and create curves.

Tops – When choosing a shirt, avoid adding more square or straight lines. Instead, complement your natural lines with asymmetrical or rounded hemlines, and ruffle details. Halters look great on you, as do boatnecks and off-the-shoulder shirts. Since your body is naturally athletic, you’ll look more feminine in tank tops with a thin, delicate strap. The same goes for jackets and blazers: Look for soft shoulders and steer clear of boxy, cropped jackets.

Bottoms High-waist pants look fantastic on you, as do wide leg trousers. Both add curves and volume to your lower body. If you want to embrace a more masculine shape with a boyfriend jean, go for it. But put some drape and movement on top. For a ladylike look, wrap dresses look great on you, since they draw angles and lines across the body.

Fabrics and Flair – Use fabric to add softness and femininity to your look. Opt for lace, silk or lightweight fabrics, especially ones with natural draping. Embellished shirts and ruffle details add softness and give your body a bit more, well, body.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Best features: A tapered torso, trim waist and killer legs make you look confident and fit.

Common pitfalls – Your legs are typically well-sculpted, so your instinct may be to show them off with fitted leggings. That works if you’re wearing a long top (below your booty), but in general, you want to add volume to your lower half.

Tops – You look great in cowl necks and deep V-necks that help minimize a stronger upper body. Go for simple, fuss-free shirts (no ruffles!). For feminine flair, tops with gently draped fabric or flutter sleeves add movement and softness. Embrace your inner flapper, and rock a drop-waist dress—a look that few can pull off!

Bottoms – You want to amplify your lower half to match the fullness of your upper body. Choose wide-leg pants or long skirts to create balance. As a general rule, look for flowy, full-bodied pants and skirts that make your lower body look bigger (yes, that’s a good thing).

Fabrics and Flair – Have fun with embellished, detailed shoes to call attention down. (A reason to buy shoes? Umm, yes please!) The same goes for jewelry: Keep jewelry minimal on top, but get creative with bangles and rings to accessorize an outfit. Choose light colors and prints below the belt, and stick to darker colors on top for a more balanced look. Also, consider the size of your purse. A small purse will amplify your torso. Carry larger purses at your side or in the bend of your arm to avoid adding volume on top.

Conclusion

Know your own body shape well and how best to flatter it! But nothing beats a balanced, sculpted silhouette!

Slim Couture is a home-grown Singapore company focused on helping women lose weight safely. Through the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, Slim Couture prides itself in providing successful weight loss solutions to female clients with weight issues since 2010. With its client-oriented approach and quality services, Slim Couture has been awarded the Singapore Quality Brands 2013/2014 and the Top 100 Singapore Excellence Award 2013/2014.

For a free consultation and body/weight analysis or to find out how TCM can help you slim down quickly and healthily!

Call: 6536 8586/ 6336 8665 www.slim-couture.com

Inspiring Quotes That Will Change The Way You Feel & Think About Losing Weight

March 5, 2016

Blog, Inspiration

Perhaps we could all collectively agree that the most difficult part about losing weight and getting back in shape, is actually getting in the right mindset to do it.

While hitting the treadmill and controlling your diet are two challenging activities, nothing is more difficult than gathering enough self-motivation and willpower to change your situation. Often, people who are overweight or obese are in denial about their physique or have been letting themselves go to the extent of almost no return. It’s not like they don’t know they’re overweight. Most of the time, they are fully aware. The problem has just gotten so severe that they’re not sure they can even do anything about it anymore. But you know what? We’re here to send you a message, to tell you something important.

As a typical Singaporean would say… WAKE UP YOUR IDEA!!! Let’s get one thing straight.

You are worth more than you think. You CAN and WILL change the way you eat, live, look and feel. It is never too late to start an exercising regime or a healthy diet. You will NEVER regret living healthier, but if you upkeep your lousy lifestyle, you will live in mild disgust at yourself and insecurity for the rest of your days. Your body is your temple, and your life’s greatest vessel and tool. Without your body, you don’t even exist. You should treat it with the love, care and respect that it deserves. Physically, mentally and emotionally, you should be well taken care of.

Instead of fat-shaming and harsh words that people usually throw at overweight people, we want you to feel empowered and inspired today.

It all starts with having a change of mind. Deciding that today is the day you will start loving yourself more. Here are some of the most real and motivational quotes that will effectively change the way you feel and think about keeping trim, getting fit and overall weight loss.

“You are not going to get the butt you want by sitting on it.”
At least once or twice in her life, you’d hear a woman whine and complain about how she wants to look like a Victoria’s Secret angel. Well, do you think they look like that from lazing around all day?!

“Dear Stomach, you are bored, not hungry. Shut up.”
It’s true that a lot of people end up snacking on unhealthy tidbits and junk food, more often because they are bored than hungry. Find something better to do and keep yourself occupied!

“The body achieves what the mind believes.”
It all starts with believing in yourself.

“No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch.”
A large part of the reason why many people refuse to hit the gym is because they’re embarrassed about their physical capabilities. Who cares how fast or slow you go, as long as you get there eventually? We’re all rooting for you!

“Losing weight is hard. Being overweight is hard. Choose your hard.”
In our opinion, STAYING overweight is so much harder, having to live with that guilt and low self confidence every single day.

“What you eat in private eventually is what you wear in public. Eat clean, look lean.”
Do you often find yourself snacking sneakily in the middle of the night, hoping nobody will catch you red handed? Well, people will find out soon enough when they look at you!

“Do not reward yourself with food. You are not a dog.”
LOL! Had to laugh at this one. There are better, calorie-free ways to reward yourself, such as a massage you’ve been dying to have, or a movie you’ve been wanting to see. Rewards do not have backlash at the end of it.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
No truer words were spoken.

“You’re only one workout away from a good mood.”
Because we know that hard work pays off.

“Suffer the pain of discipline, or the suffer the pain of regret.”
Just remember that sweat is fat crying.

“If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits.”
Because you can achieve amazing results ONLY when you set your heart, mind and soul to it.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.”
People are always so caught up with the houses they live in and the cars that they drive, but they forget the main vessel that’s representing themselves are their bodies. Your body will determine how long you get to enjoy life for.

“Would you rather be covered in sweat in the gym, or covered in clothes at the beach?”
Yep, guilty of choosing to be covered up at the beach because I’m ashamed of cellulite and flabby bits hanging about, while feeling jealous of other people’s physiques.

One year later, you’ll find yourself wishing you’d started today.

So START TODAY! Make a change in your life. Do something different. Surprise yourself. Eat healthy, start a workout, or pick up the phone and call us for a free consultation and body/weight analysis or to find out how TCM can help you slim down quickly and healthily!

Call Slim Couture : 6536 8586/ 6336 8665
Website: www.slim-couture.com

Cheatsheet: 5 Ways to Lose Your CNY Weight Easily & Quickly!

February 14, 2016

Blog, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Tips

Happy Lunar New Year, and a Happy Valentine’s Day and 人日!
To all our dear friends and clients, we hope that the Lunar New Year has been a fruitful time of family bonding, rest and well-spent time with your loved ones! With LNY comes all things sinful: from pineapple tarts, bakkwa, cookies, to multiple meals a day at every single house visit you go to! It’s no surprise if you feel that your pants are a little tighter, and your stomach is now bulging out over with a slight muffin top from all the festive indulging.

Fear not, because here’s our cheatsheet to lose that extra few pounds you put on during the past week or so! There’s still another week of Lunar New Year celebrations to go, and these tips will definitely prove useful over the next week!

1. Watch out for the packaged/canned drinks

It’s so easy to accept those packets of sweetened drinks that seem innocuously innocent (green tea, chrysanthemum tea etc) or even allow yourself to agree to a can of beer, but as you already know, these sugar-filled drinks are unnecessary calorie bombs! Just a couple more of these drinks a day would be equivalent to an additional 500g weight gain in just a week! And that’s just drinks alone! Instead, ask your host for a glass of plain ole’ H20 for a zero-calorie thirst quencher.

2. Snack on the healthy stuff

Instead of reaching out for calorie-dense foods like pineapple tarts and kueh, our best advice to you this LNY is to snack on the healthier options you can find, for instance, Mandarin Oranges, which are abundant during LNY! Keep your fingers off those addictively delicious cookies, pastries and bakes, and you’ll be just fine.

3. Take one-third off your plate

When you eat dinner out or at a friend’s/relative’s, reduce the temptation to clean your plate by setting aside one-third of your meal! Remember, everything in moderation, and especially when it comes to second helpings of fried/processed food! Simply reducing every meal’s intake by 30% could subtract more than 500 calories a day! Visually, using a smaller plate also helps to fool your brain and stomach into thinking that you’re still eating the same amount, when in fact you’ve actually cut down on your intake.

4. Get movin’ in the evening!

Go for an evening walk daily, or whenever you can make the time to! Exercising at any time is good for you, but evening activity may be particularly beneficial because many people’s metabolism slows down toward the end of the day. Thirty minutes of aerobic activity before dinner increases your metabolic rate and may keep it elevated for another two or three hours, even after you’ve stopped moving. What it means: those dinner calories have less of a chance to take up permanent residence on your hips!

5. Give yourself a break!

No one says you have to reach your goal without making mistakes along the way. Tell yourself you can succeed in losing weight by taking things one step at a time and starting fresh whenever you slip up. If you overeat one night, just get back on track in the morning by focusing on what’s worked for you in the past.

Even if you’ve been battling weight loss your entire life, we here at Slim Couture believe that there is hope for every single lady to lose weight successfully and attain your dream silhouette that you’ve always wished for! With Divine Slim treatments, you can lose weight not just quickly and effectively, but also healthily!

For a free consultation and body/weight analysis or to find out how TCM can help you slim down quickly and healthily!

Call: 6536 8586/ 6336 8665 www.slim-couture.com

How To Know You’re Gaining Weight (When You Don’t Realize It)

February 2, 2016

Blog, Uncategorized

Just when you thought to yourself.. Phew! Christmas is over! The feasting has ended. My waistline can go back to normal, and my diet can resume! I can work towards that svelte figure I told myself I’d get in 2016.

Well, not so fast! Just one mere month after the Christmas season, comes Chinese New Year. This Asian celebration is not to be underestimated… the festivities usually last for at least a week for most Chinese people, with intense binge eating and reckless gorging happening during most of those days. It’s impossible not to stuff your face with delicious treats like cassava chips, pineapple tarts, grandma’s cooking and steamboat food! Since most of these foods only make a rare appearance once annually, why would we miss out on the opportunity to enjoy them while we can? With all your relatives and friends gathered under one roof, there’s bound to be a lot of eating. If there’s one thing Asian parents are good at besides disciplining their children, it’s over-feeding their children. Don’t know about you guys, but I’m not allowed to walk away from the dining table until I’ve been stuffed silly at every reunion dinner!

Pretty sure any normal human being would feel heavier and bloated after Chinese New Year. You’re almost certain that you have piled on a few extra kilos. But how do you know for sure, without stepping on the scale because you don’t have one at home?! Most people may not have the habit of weighing themselves regularly, so we thought we’d come up with a list of ways to know you’re gaining weight.. especially when you’re not realizing it! Are these telltale signs creeping up on you? If they are, perhaps it’s time to do something about those new found chubs!

Your skin tight jeans and clothes don’t fit right anymore.

Clothes are a constant in our lives – we wear them every single day. So there’s no excuse to be given when your staple underwear which used to fit nicely now feels too tight, or when that well-fitting jeans give you a bulging muffin top. Skin tight clothes are pretty much one of the best ways to tell if you’ve packed on a few extra pounds or not, because we always remember when we look good in that ONE super tight outfit, and get disappointed when we don’t anymore. Did you use to look great in that bodycon dress, but now find one too many bulges on your body to consider it attractive?

Relatives have a ball pointing out & poking fun at how “fortunate” you look, during Chinese New Year visiting.

If you are a chubby person, all hell breaks loose during Chinese New Year. Your relatives will probably go to town with all the teasing remarks, especially if you are significantly younger than them! As a child, they’ll come and pinch your cheeks and go “sooo cute!”. Then when you’re slightly older, the remarks will probably lessen to a more subtle degree: “Wow, life has been good recently, hasn’t it?” When an Asian relative playfully asks you if life has been good, they’re not actually asking you if life has been good. They’re asking how come you’re so fat now.

You avoid taking photos because you don’t like the way you look.

Low self-esteem, apart from actual physical problems, is probably the worst side effect of weight gain. If you’re avoiding taking any self-portraits or group photos, you’re probably not that comfortable with your appearance and feeling lousy about the way you look. Life is too short to live it hiding yourself.

Sucking in your gut becomes a natural reflex, because somehow, it always seem to stick out now.

What happens to everyone after a buffet? Our stomach bulges out! Even if you’re not actually fat, as soon as you over-consume and binge for just one meal, your stomach is likely to stick out from being expanded more than it is used to / meant to. It’s okay to have a bulging stomach after the occasional heavy meal, but if it is constantly hanging out and you find yourself having to consciously contract the muscle to keep it in, you have a problem..

You are bloated all the time.

Bad eating habits are highly associated with weight gain. And bloated-ness is a direct effect from bad eating habits and poor lifestyle choices. When you keep stuffing your face with food, especially at a quantity much higher than your required amount, you’ll feel bloated.

Your energy level has hit an all-time low.

Eating food gives you energy. But eating too much food at one go doesn’t give you an outburst of energy, in fact it might do the very opposite – overeating can make you feel tired and needlessly lethargic. Your body gets so overwhelmed by the influx of food and working to digest it, that it goes into a sluggish mode. This happens frequently when you consume a high amount of carbohydrates. Overweight people feel tired all the time because their body is not in an ideal physical condition and their diets are poor.

Round is now the shape of your face.

Apart from our stomachs, the next most common place for fats to appear when we gain weight would probably be our faces. If your jawline starts getting less prominent and more round, it can only mean one thing – you’ve made food too much of your best friend recently. Even if you don’t wear tight clothing or notice how your body looks in the mirror often.. surely you can tell just by one look at your own face!

Hunger pangs & sugar cravings hit you more than just a few times a day.

Your meals should not just be adequately portioned and timed, but also nutritionally beneficial. When you don’t eat at the right timings, or eat the right amount of fibers, grains & protein, you can gain weight easily. If you’re always eating and yet always hungry, you’re not eating the right food (or you are one of those rare people gifted with crazy metabolism). When we eat junk food, our stomach fills up temporarily but it doesn’t get the required nutrients, so we feel hungry again too soon after. Your stomach is a muscle that expands when its overfilled. So the more you overeat, the more often you’ll find yourself starving at random intervals. The best way to avoid this is to not binge eat and always regulate your timings for meals.

Recognize one or more of these signs in your life?

There’s no better time to start working on it, than right now. One year later, you’ll wish you had started today. Be it changing your lifestyle, diet, or picking up a new exercise regime and even trying out the highly popular Divine Slim treatment at Slim Couture which uses beneficial Traditional Chinese Medicine methods to get your body back in shape, we wish you the best for the rest of your 2016!

Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy Chinese New Year to all our friends & clients! We wish that you’ll have a HUAT-ful year ahead, and may everything in your life prosper.. except your waistline!!!

For a free consultation and body/weight analysis and to find out how TCM can help you slim down quickly and healthily, call us at 6536 8586 / 6336 8665 or visit our website at www.slim-couture.com.