Lockdown kilos: Chef Dan Hong reveals how he maintains weight loss

He gained more than 6kg during last year’s lockdown but this time around, top chef Dan Hong reveals how he lost the weight — and keeping it off.

The expression “never trust a skinny chef” might be catchy enough to see it emblazoned on the tea towels and aprons you buy your mum as a last-minute Christmas gift, but it’s also a gross generalisation that does a great disservice to kitchen whizzes of the slimmer variety.

Celebrated Sydney food magician Dan Hong, the executive chef at award-winning restaurants Ms.G’s, El Loco, Mr Wong, Lotus and Queen Chow, has experienced both sides of the weight scale during his career.

Also a judge on SBS TV series The Chefs’ Line, Hong weighed 90kg at his heaviest, but a recent commitment to healthy eating and exercise has seen him drop a considerable 12kg over a 10-week period.

“During lockdown in March and April I gained over 6kg eating and drinking - I drunk a bottle of wine a day,” Hong admits.

Chef Dan Hong put on more than 6kg during last year’s lockdown. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Because the gyms were closed I went running a lot outside, but the wine and food outweighed the exercise. Finally I decided to go on a strict diet and exercise routine and I dropped the weight.”

Shedding the weight is one thing, but the 38-year-old culinary king has put the steps in place to ensure the pudge remains gone, including consuming his favourite “treat” foods in moderation (fried chicken and salt and pepper calamari, for those curious about what a chef go Hong’s calibre considers a “treat”).

“Even though I am off the strict diet and I am eating and drinking again, I ake sure I try and maintain my current weight by eating healthy during the week,” Hong says.

“I train every day and try to have cheat meals only on the weekend.”

In terms of his secret to success and maintaining the motivation to excel while wearing so many chef hats, Hong preaches the importance of “holding yourself accountable”.

“It’s also important to just be yourself - you shouldn’t care about what others think.”

To see what Dan’s up to, follow him on Instagram: @hongsta_gram

DAN HONG ON …

Diet 

“I try to stay clear of bread, noodles, deep fried foods and sugar. I like to eat a lot of seafood, chicken, red meat and green vegetables.”

Dan Hong has limited eating breads and deep fried foods. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Motivation

“I keep a photo of when I was at my absolute heaviest as my phone screen saver to remind me to never go back. Weight loss can be very tough the first few weeks but when you start seeing the results, it motivates you to lose more kgs.”

Happiness

“It’s all about balance once you are at your ideal weight. It’s fine to eat out and drink. We have to live our lives and be happy. Just make sure you don’t abuse it. Eating healthy during the week and regular exercise clears my mind and makes me feel good.”

Exercise

“A consistent mix of cardio and strength training works best for me and I train every day. I do two strength sessions a week with my PT Jono Castano, four days a week I do F45 and every Sunday morning I do a Barry’s Bootcamp session. I always train in the morning.”

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Originally published as Lockdown kilos: Chef Dan Hong reveals how he maintains weight loss