Written by Karl Lagerfeld Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel Chief Designer
The other morning, I woke up and stood in front of the mirror, and I suddenly had the urge to wear a Hedi Slimane outfit. But I didn't need to try it on to realize that with a figure like mine, where would I fit into clothes designed for slim, skinny boys? (Not to mention my age!). Suddenly, I felt that I looked so dull, boring and disgusting in the mirror. At that moment, I resolved that I had to lose 40 pounds ~ the more the better, of course, if possible.
Yes, I, for one, was going to turn myself into a standard hanger weighing 62 kilograms and standing 180 centimeters tall. Of course, my motivation for losing weight is solely for the sake of clothing, not for health reasons or to attract more attention. Some people may scoff - it's too superficial for a big man to think that way! But the truth is, like women, fashion is always the most important motivation for men to lose weight. The key is whether you can hold on to that idea and use unique, effective, and healthy methods to ultimately lose weight.
On November 1, 2000, under the guidance of my doctor, I officially began my weight loss journey. At that time, I never dreamed that I could lose so much weight in a year. As a matter of fact, my doctor had also told me that I could also lose weight with liposuction if I didn't have the patience. While I wasn't against it, I didn't feel the need to do that yet. In just 13 months, I have already reached my stated goal. My doctor and I also published a book about weight loss called "3-D", meaning Designer Designer, Doctor Doctor, Diet Weight Loss. Now, I'm as firm and slim as I was when I was 18 years old, and I'm sleeping through the night on a full 7 hours of sleep each night. Sleeping pills? I stopped needing them a long time ago!
One might think that it must take a will of steel and self-mutilating self-control to lose weight, but the truth is not so terrible. I simply stay on track according to the plan, like an airplane flying smoothly on a set course.
Dieting to lose weight isn't simply a matter of what you eat and what you don't eat; it's divided into two parts: the first and the second.
The first six months are the foundation. A slice of toast and half a glass of grape juice is my breakfast. For lunch and dinner, I usually have some peas, mushrooms and other vegetables, and fish. Despite not being a big fan of beef or lamb, I eat some more or less every week. I also take regular vitamin supplements. As a rule, I should drink 3 liters of water a day, but I don't like to drink that much, so I replace it with sugar-free drinks. No coffee or alcohol, all of which are a joy to me as I have little interest in them in the first place.
The second 6 months of the diet, I used to eat two fat-free yogurts and toast in the morning, and stuck to fish and vegetables for lunch. One day a week I would also eat some fat-free cheese. In the evening, I often had vegetable soup or a kind of herb soup with fruit, which was very nutritious.
Weight loss isn't just about eating more or less, either. Today, no one would say that it is vulgar to be concerned about your physical appearance, and it would be an outright lie to say that it is not important. It is important to give visual pleasure to others because the body shape is most likely to leave a memorable impression. Losing weight can help one rediscover and redefine one's true self, and the experience itself enriches who we are.
It is unwise to lose weight for a new lifestyle, and it is even worse to lose weight for a new love, which can easily lead you to disappointment and frustration. Losing weight should only be for yourself. Not even your closest friend or lover should know the secret of your desire to reinvent yourself. Perhaps, after successful weight loss, this can be a topic of conversation for you, but at first, it should be hidden and kept to yourself. Don't talk too much about weight loss with others, just "do it"!
Beauty -- or the desire to be beautiful -- is also a dangerous motivator for weight loss. I can't remember who once said, "Is it possible to fall in love with someone's beauty and really love that person?" Elegant appearance is enough to make others interested in your heart, but don't forget that it's the sum total of all our life experiences that makes our souls remarkable.
Instead of worrying and frowning at the thought of losing weight, start this journey in an optimistic frame of mind. Try not to think about the things that disturb your emotions - it's not as easy as it sounds! As you work towards getting in shape, you should also improve other aspects of yourself. Remember, whether you lose weight or not, sooner or later the pretty and youthful moments in your life will be replaced by poise and grace.
After losing 15 kilograms, you may already be hailing success. But don't be hasty, this could be the real beginning! You can lose more, and you must be sure of that. Follow your doctor's advice! Hold on tight! The beginning of a new life never ends!
My weight loss initiative has finally allowed me to realize my dream. In fact, my lifelong interest in all different styles of fashion stems in part from an interest in myself. This has shaped my aesthetic, as well as my career and beliefs - designing fashion for women. Losing weight has made me realize this more y than ever before.
Every two or three days in my weight loss career I have to reflect on myself; am I closer to my ideal goal today than I was yesterday? Now, I don't need to lose any more weight; there is nothing thinner in men's clothing than the model I wear now. A good workout base from my youth has always made me feel strong as a rock after losing weight. I have regained an image of myself that I had long lost - broad shoulders, a tightened belly and rounded hips. It was a wonderful feeling!
If putting on a dozen kilograms or wearing trendy clothes doesn't matter to you, then I didn't write this article for you. Health may be the best reason to lose weight, but it's a reason that really lacks sufficient appeal. If one day you want to change your package and try on new fashions, then you might as well do what I did: see yourself as an actor who has taken on a new role, one that you will be excited by at any time, and, eventually, realize that you, too, are a great actor.
Losing weight is like walking away from someone you don't like and don't want to spend time with anymore. But this time, the person you want to walk away from is exactly you. You won't find a perfect version of yourself, but you can find a better version of yourself than the one you have today. If losing weight is a long race against yourself, be confident that the one who emerges victorious is a more beautiful, newer, slimmer and more confident you.
This method involves consuming less than 800 calories a day for six months, initially eating only grain bread and grapes for breakfast, steamed vegetables and fish for lunch and dinner, and eating lean meat only once a week, and also supplementing with some vitamins and minerals. Gradually add more yogurt, cooked chicken, potatoes and vegetables. Also, take fiber and nutrients by eating more fruits to avoid malnutrition. Controlling your cravings is a prerequisite for weight loss.