Why and How am i losing weight?

In the beginning of 2008 i felt that something went wrong with my body. I was 90kg's and my height is 1,80 cms. I was on the path of being obese however cared not so much about it. 

I went to the doctor due to pain in my torso and he told me that i have Grade I liver lipoidosis. He said this typical in overweight people and i shall be careful in what i eat. I cared not so much again as he wasn't really so serious in telling me what i had. My chlosterol level was OK and i was happy with it.

In the beginning of March during a Site Visit i felt really bad. An allergy hit me in a matter of minutes. Then i went to see the doctor after work. I was given a serum and they checked for my enzym levels in my liver. They were 4 times the normal. The overworking of the enzymes triggered an allergy even though i do not over use anything. The reason was sugar. 

Then i went to Acıbadem Maslak. Checked by a gastroentrologist. She told me that a strict diet is a must. My liver lipidosis is now Grade III and it can cause liver fail in the near future. She told me to lose 10 kgs in 3 months. I was sent to a dietician as well.

She gave me a 6 meal menu for each day. The cause of my overweight is the uneven dietary routine. My body does not know when i will be eating and stock all the fat possible. The diet goes well. I lost 4 kgs in 2,5 weeks and feel much healtier now. By the way i was 94 when i went to Acıbadem. Now i am 90. My first target is 87. Then i will feel much much better. 

My tips for all of you is: First get a private health insurance. Then go for a full body check up. After that see the dietician and ask for a diet program. Put time restrictions on your diet and eat at those times only. You get your car to be checked each year but not yourself. This is the stupidest thing to do.

Easy reading on Economics

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I like to read about the logic behind things. 

I am also curious about the way things work. "Behind The Scenes" of a movie is  really a great insight for me as i can see the hard work there. This applies to way people earn money as well. It is believed that an ordinary Turkish guy thinks about the earning potential of a product before buying it. Or looks at a building and tries to calculate the cost of it. This is interesting for me but not as much as the dynamics of the buy out. 

For instance when i see a merchandise of a football club, I try to look at the firm that produced or imported, the club that buys and sells for profit reasons and the fan that buys and maybe sells it one more time as a collection item.

In the last few years books focusing on this relation is very popular everywhere.

I read some of these books and here are some recommendations and and a wishlist.

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness

This book is on my wishlist. It seems pretty interesting. I saw it in Pandora last time i was there and hopefully will buy it soon. Eventhough it is not directly related to economics but still seems to be great.

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

I read this one some time ago. Why do drug dealers live with their moms? is a classic article. Hopefully one day i will summarize it on this blog.

The Undercover Economist

This is one of my favourites. Tim Harford gives great insight from daily economics. Such as Starbucks. Price targeting can not be told easier than that. It is simply a perfect read.

Cup Handover 2009

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A perfect handover ceremony for the last UEFA Cup Final to be played in Istanbul on 20 May. 

UEFA Cup came to İstanbul yesterday. Winners of 2008 Zenit captain Anatoliy Tymoschuk brought the cup along with Zenit president and team manager.

Esma Sultan Residence witnessed one of the best set ups ever. Great branding along with perfect scenery created one of the highlights of the season.

Mr Platini was cheerful as usual and everyone was impressed with what we achieved. 

Ece Vahapoğlu looked good in green dress and confident of herself despite technical problem in her headset. 

Thanks to all involved, starting with Selim Şakarcan, wait for the final on 20 May as we all have surprises for you.

Esma Sultan Residence - Home of Cup Handover 2009

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I was in Esma Sultan Residence today in regards to preperations for Cup Handover on 23 April. 

It is going to be a huge ceremony and I am looking forward to it.

Here are some pics i took today with my Nokia N95.

I will keep you updated with some pictures on 23rd of April as well.

Here is the history of the residence from Marmara Hotels webpage:

This mansion reflecting the Golden Age of Istanbul is named after its original owner, Esma Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Abdülaziz I.
Esma Sultan was born in 1873 and when she was 16 years old she was married to Mehmed Pasha the Circassian who was one of the leading statesmen of his time. She became a prominent and admired woman known for her lively and colorful character. In addition to her palatial residence in Istanbul, she also had several seaside mansions.
One of these mansions in particular, after withstanding neglect and suffering a fire and an earthquake, ended up first as a tobacco warehouse and then as a coal depot. The ruins were taken over by The Marmara Hotels group in the 1990’s, and finally, in 2001, the mansion was given a new cultural identity.

Publishing & Retail together in Monocle Shop

 

Monocle Shop in London

"Running a shop also acts as a consulate for our readers(we've somehow become a beacon in the heart of London for restaurant tips, hotel reservations and even career advice) has been a rewarding exercise as it allows us to give the print element of our media brand the shelf space we feel it deserves...

...the top requests are for a garment bag and "a bag that can deal with my diary, Blackberry, mobile, housekeys, pack of gum and business cards" ...

...Indeed the best part of having a shop floor is that you get instant feedback on all aspects of your brand...

...At 9 sqm its rather difficult to have private or particularly heated discussions."

Tyler Brule - Editor in Chief - Monocle