Feel like a shattered shell of your former self? That’s what the festive season does to you. Never fear, your party rescue plan is here.
Lesson one: Thou shalt go to the gym
If an enthusiastic personal trainer isn’t enough to get you to the gym, then getting paid to attend might. Buy an annual membership (Dhs7,500) to Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara before January 31, then exercise 45 minutes a day for 20 days and you’ll be reimbursed Dhs525 a month. Couples will receive Dhs840 (Dhs12,000 membership).
Eastern Ring Road, Salam Street. Email emlifestyle@anantara.com, www.abu-dhabi.anantara.com (02 656 1152).
Lesson two: Thou shalt take tips from a dietician
Bite Rite is an initiative from private healthcare provider, NMC Healthcare. The city’s three cafés – Muroor Road, Electra Street and Abu Dhabi Men’s College – serve meals screened by nutritionists and endocrinologists to ensure they’re low fat and suitable for diabetics.
The café’s monthly delivery plan lets you order from 100 Arabic, Indian and European meals – including a pizza made with low fat cheese and a wholemeal flour and flaxseed base. (Dhs1,699 for two weeks, Dhs2,999 for four).
Bite Rite’s dietician, Archana Baju, says, ‘Over Christmas we eat and drink too much, or eat just one big meal a day. Women in particular make this mistake, which causes weight gain.
‘When you return to your usual schedule, portion control is important. Eat small meals every three hours – aim for three meals and three snacks a day. This boosts metabolism, which encourages your body to use fat stores.
‘Portions depend on height and weight, but generally have no more than four tablespoons of cooked rice or pasta, palm-sized protein and three dies of low-fat cheese. Half your plate should be fruit and veg and a quarter grains. Include protein and dairy, too.
‘A common mistake men and diabetics make is to cut carbohydrates such as bread and consume too much protein, through meat or shakes. But when the body lacks carbs, it breaks down fat stores, which leads to ketosis. This leaves you with no energy. Instead, ditch white carbs and boost your intake of complex ones such as brown rice.’
Lesson three: Thou shalt visit a spa
Looking grey? The products in Solace Organics, on the ground floor of Al Wahda Mall are 70 per cent organic. None of its hair, skin and nail products contain parabens, sulphates, mineral oils or synthetic ingredients. Solace Organics Salon’s one-hour facial will revitalise you. A therapist helps you choose a treatment depending on your skin type, but a deep cleanse with fruit acid peptides (Dhs200) is a good all-rounder.
Corner of Defence Road and Salam Street, near Burjeel Hospital, www.solace-products.com (shop 02 441 9140, salon 02 441 9149).
If you’ve piled on pounds over Christmas, try the Slimming and Firming treatment at Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche. A therapist will knead cream made with five per cent caffeine and green coffee into your skin to stimulate blood circulation and drain toxins and excess liquid. The massage breaks down the fatty deposits that cause cellulite, and is followed by a firming body wrap. Dhs495 for one hour.
Capital Plaza Complex, Corniche Road East, www.secure.sofitel.com (02 813 7777).
Lesson four: Thou shalt visit a dermatologist
Skin break out? Dermatologist Dr Shaden Naji will evaluate the age of your skin, then recommend a treatment. Need help now? Dr Shaden says, ‘Quit smoking and reduce your exposure to second-hand smoke. Drink water and apply soap-free cleanser and moisturiser twice daily to combat aging. Visit a dermatologist annually to keep moles in check.’ Dhs500.
32 Street, near Colombian Embassy, Al Bateen. www.doctoralia.ae (02 666 7067).
Lesson five: Thou shalt stop smoking
Smoking, karaoke and too much hops is a lethal combo. Get back on track with Sheikh Khalifa Medical City’s smoking cessation programme. Dr Abdulrazak Alkaddour will tell you the benefits of not smoking and tricks to cope with cravings, such as distraction. Thursdays 8am-5pm.
Free for Emiratis, Dhs300-500 for foreigners. Al Karama Street, Al Zaab, www.skmc.ae (02 819 5990).
Lesson six: Thou shalt detox the digestive system
Now you’re squeaky clean on the outside, it’s time to get scrubbed inside. Amwaj Medical Centre offers colonic hydrotherapy sessions to ease bloating and constipation. It’s not for the squeamish, or the shy – you’ll have a tube inserted then water will cleanse your colon. If you’re feeling sluggish, this could sort you out.
Dhs1,500. Office 201, 2nd Floor, Buteen Bin Bashir Building, Khalifa Street, Al Markaziyah, opposite Al Noor Hospital (02 627 3888).
Lesson seven: Thou shalt learn make-up tips
Lina Hussain is a freelance make-up artist who has worked with Jean-Claude Van Damme, L’Oreal and on Mission Impossible 4. If anyone can make you look sprightly, she can.
Lina says, ‘Partying dehydrates the skin, so massage your face with moisturiser for two minutes morning and night especially around the eyes – use your ring finger so you don’t apply too much pressure.
‘Ladies, use foundation and Clinique’s All About Eyes concealer to freshen you up. Apply black mascara and beige eyeliner to open up your eyes. Finish with blusher.’
Lesson eight: Thou shalt hire a cleaner
Do your feet crunch on the floor when you get out of bed? Grape glass rings, stray crisps and even the odd bread stick left over from a party does not a clean home make. The Kingdom Group will deep-clean a two-bedroom apartment downtown or a three-bedroom villa around Muroor Road for Dhs140. Minimum four hours.
www.kingdomgroup.ae, (02 627 2755).
Lesson nine: Thou shalt visit the dry cleaners
Be honest, how often have you deliberately washed clothing with a ‘dry clean only’ label, or not washed it at all? Ditch the shrunken-in-the-wash look for a sharp one. Bianco will dry clean that grape-stained shirt for Dhs7, a dress for Dhs25 or beaded party dress for Dhs40 within two days. Bianco collects and delivers.
Email info@biancodryclean.com, Muroor Road, next to Red Crescent building, opposite Abu Dhabi bus station. (02 633 3157).
Lesson 10: Thou shall not break these resolutions on February 1
Archana’s top tips
• Dry skin? Drink two litres of water a day, even during winter. Lukewarm water first thing will flush out toxins
• Blemishes? Eat a rainbow of fruit and veg. The antioxidants destroy free radicals, which cause acne
• Bloodshot eyes? Papaya, carrots and spinach contain vitamin A and C to make eyes glow
• Brittle hair and nails? Boost your protein intake. Skinless chicken, oily fish, soya and nuts contain keratin to strengthen them
• Bad breath? Chew fresh mint or aniseed
• Poor digestion? Probiotic yoghurt will balance the good and bad bacteria in your intestines
Feel better today: make a tofu veggie wrap
75g tofu
20g bell peppers
5g tomato salsa
2g chopped garlic
20g avocado
1g salt
1g pepper
2ml lime juice
1tsp canola oil
1 wholewheat pita
1 Heat oil in a pan. Add garlic, bell peppers and sauté till tender
2 Cube tofu, add to pan with salt, pepper and lime, toss
3 Add salsa, avocado and tofu mix to pita then season
Serves one. Takes 10 mins. Calories: 316. Visit www.biterite.ae (02 641 1660).
