Taiwanese Politician Loses 16kg in Two Months by Cutting Out Cola and Instant Noodles

"Cutting Out Sugary Drinks and Reducing Carbohydrates"

Lin Youchang, former Secretary-General of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, has drawn attention after revealing his successful weight loss.

Young photo of Lin Youchang, former Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan. Screenshot from Taiwan News Network (TVBS).

According to Taiwan's media outlet "Health 2.0," Lin Youchang, the former mayor of Keelung City and former Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party, managed to lose 16 kilograms in just two months at the age of 54.

In his twenties, Lin was often a topic of conversation on social media for his handsome appearance, reminiscent of an actor. Some even noted his resemblance to the late Haruma Miura, a famous Japanese actor. However, after entering politics, his appearance changed noticeably.

"The Key to Weight Loss: Changing Diet and Lifestyle Habits"

Lin emphasized that changing his diet and lifestyle habits was the key to his weight loss. He explained that, in the past, exercise alone did not yield results, and that unhealthy habits-such as drinking sweet beverages like cola and canned coffee, and eating cup noodles with his son-were the main causes of his obesity. He would sometimes eat cup noodles with two servings of noodles, eggs, and meat, which would leave him feeling extremely drowsy after meals.

Lin Youchang, former Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan. Screenshot from Taiwan News Network (TVBS)

He cut out sweet drinks, reduced his carbohydrate intake, and maintained a healthier lifestyle. Lin also noted that having a positive mindset greatly contributed to his diet, and added that, as a father, he actively chose to change in order not to set a bad example for his son.

"Exercise Alone Has Limited Effect on Weight Loss...Balanced Diet Is Crucial"

Experts explained that while exercise helps increase muscle mass and boost metabolism, its effectiveness is limited unless accompanied by dietary improvements. They advised that the appropriate type of exercise should be chosen based on one's weight loss goals: aerobic exercise is suitable for reducing body fat, while resistance training is best for building muscle.

Since it is difficult to maintain weight loss through short-term dietary control alone, a balanced diet is essential in the long run. In particular, extremely low-carbohydrate diets can actually lead to muscle loss, so it is important to maintain a balanced diet that includes sufficient protein, vegetables, and appropriate staple foods.

Regarding cup noodles, experts recommended adding vegetables and protein, and reducing the use of seasonings to control sodium intake. They added that this approach helps achieve nutritional balance and supports weight management.

Nutritionists pointed out that while high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are popular, they can place a burden on the kidneys over time, so caution is needed. They emphasized that it is better to consume healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains and root vegetables, and to eat a variety of food groups in a balanced manner.

The order in which food is eaten is also an important factor in weight management. Experts recommended eating vegetables first, followed by protein, and then staple foods. This order helps increase satiety, reduces carbohydrate intake, stabilizes blood sugar, and is effective for weight management.