On KBS 1TV's "Morning Yard," medical expert Heo Yang-im discussed the rapid weight gain often experienced during festive seasons.
In the episode aired on September 19, Heo noted that enjoying delicious meals with family can lead to quick increases in weight, primarily due to the high calorie and sodium content found in traditional holiday foods. She explained that while holidays were once a time to indulge in the nutrients of new grains, today’s lifestyle of already satisfying dietary needs makes it important to be cautious about consuming extra calories during such festive occasions. Heo emphasized the need for awareness as excessive intake can contribute to health issues like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
However, Heo reassured viewers that weight gained quickly can also be lost easily since it may not all be body fat. She explained that short-term weight gain often results from accumulated glycogen in muscles and water retention, not necessarily an increase in body fat. Therefore, she advised that losing this weight within two weeks is ideal before it converts to fat.
To manage this transition, Heo recommended a diet that reduces carbohydrate and sugar intake by 30% to 40%, focusing on vegetables and proteins that are lower in fat. She shared her personal approach of eating boiled cabbage wrapped with chicken breast or shrimp for better digestion and weight loss. Encouraging physical activity, she stressed the importance of using glycogen stores effectively.
In an interesting twist, it was revealed that Heo Yang-im is married to Ko Ji-yong, a former member of the popular K-pop group Sechs Kies.