Losing weight – back to basics

DIETERS around the world dreaming of a quick-fix remedy that melts away kilos without any effort, saw their fantasy become reality when type 2 diabetes drugs that offer weight-loss as a side effect became widely available in the last couple of years. Brands such as Saxenda, Wegovy and Ozempic are game changers, but as with all things that seem too good to be true, there is a catch.

According to a meta analysis presented this month at the European Congress on Obesity, those on weight loss medication regain all the weight they lose within two years of stopping the drugs. The hard truth for those seeking a magic bullet for slimming? Nothing beats the old-fashioned way – namely, diet and exercise. In this week’s BT Lifestyle, we speak to those who did it – including chef-owner Han Li Guang of the Michelin-starred restaurant Labyrinth – and why they feel so much better in the long run.

Meanwhile, if you’re part of the crowd still chasing Labubu dolls, chances are you may not belong to the youthful 20-something age group. A recent Carousell study showed that power buyers of these Pop Mart collectibles are in their 40s, and splurging on whole sets and higher-priced items. We talk to some of them about their obsession.

For more “mature” tastes, we also head to STPI, which has just opened a new exhibition dedicated to the works of the late Cuban artist Wilfredo Lam.

And in Dining, although we’re not one to fall for one-for-one menus at restaurants, we discover some good value meals at new Chinese restaurant Mansion 7 that might make us go back for more. For all this and more, don’t miss this week’s BT Lifestyle.