“I was bullied because of my appearance”… Influencer shares story of ‘turning life around’ after dieting

Cut out refined carbohydrates and practice ‘intermittent fasting’
“I want to spread hope to those who have the same concerns.”

The story of an influencer who said that she was bullied because of her appearance and now lives a different life after successfully dieting is attracting attention.

The most talked-about article of 2024, selected by Japanese media Shukan Bunshun (Weekly Bunshun), was the story of cosplay influencer Hiyaniki (33). Hiyanicki revealed the story about her appearance in September last year. Hiyanicki revealed that she lost her weight from 64 kg to 54 kg and worked hard for five years to change her appearance. He also said that he devoted himself to studying fashion and makeup.

Hiyaniki said, “I was bullied by my friends for my ugly appearance in high school, but after losing weight and managing my appearance in my 20s, I have now become an influencer with tens of thousands of followers.” Her diet secrets include “intermittent fasting” and “intermittent fasting.” He chose ‘cutting out carbohydrates’. He said, “I ate dinner early and skipped breakfast the next day, fasting for 16 hours. When I was hungry, I only ate boiled eggs, and I completely cut out flour foods such as bread and pasta.” As for the reason for cutting out carbohydrates, he added, “Because excessive carbohydrate intake can cause skin to become rough.”

Hiyaniki said, “I didn’t have any friends when I was in school, but now that I’ve gained confidence, I’m not afraid to talk to other people and I have more friends. People can change as much as they want if they try hard. I don’t have the same worries as I did in the past.” “I want to give hope to people who have it,” he said. Currently, Hiyaniki has started a beauty consulting company and is helping people who have complexes about their appearance or body type.

‘Intermittent fasting’, a diet method that maintains long fasting times, is a dietary method that limits daily food intake to within 4 to 12 hours. This method is known to have a positive effect on overall health, including metabolism and weight management. By maintaining an empty stomach for a certain period of time, you can lower the body’s insulin resistance and promote fat consumption by using the ketone bodies produced when metabolizing fat as an energy source.

It is known that refined carbohydrates, which Hiyaniki quit, actually affect obesity and skin health. When consuming refined carbohydrates, insulin secretion increases rapidly, repeatedly stimulating appetite and leading to overeating, which can easily cause obesity. In terms of skin health, refined carbohydrates are likely to cause acne and inflammation by increasing the secretion of IGF-1, a sebum producing factor. One study also found that people who consumed foods with a high glycemic index were more likely to experience skin problems such as acne.

However, excessively reducing carbohydrates, which are essential nutrients, can be detrimental to health. If you do not consume enough carbohydrates, you may feel lethargic and fatigued, and there is a risk of muscle loss. It is known that consuming an appropriate amount of unrefined carbohydrates rather than refined carbohydrates is more helpful for dieting.

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