THE LIGHTER SIDE OF WEIGHT

“Lose weight and gain a life “said my friend as she observed my chubby cheeks, double chin, fleshy arms, multi tired waist and my jutting paunch. There have been many such comments and suggestions from well- wishers and friends for the past many years.

I have never been “size zero”. In fact, I was a cute chubby kid who grew up into a not so cute chubby youngster and have now ‘grown’ into a ‘healthy’ round ball. In India, obese people are euphemistically called “healthy”. But strangely, though I am over weight- my weight is 30 kilos more than what I thought to be according to my height ( rounded off to five feet), I am , much to my doctor’s disappointment, fit as a fiddle. Well, at least I am as fit as a second hand fiddle. Except the occasional headache (brought about by external factors) or a bout of cold , I rarely fall ill ( TOUCHWOOD!!). My yearly health check-ups with my doctor ends with the advice – “lose weight”! When I argue that I am fit even though over weight, he cites the problem it could lead to.

So one fine day I decided to do it – I decided that I would “gain a better life “. Since I am already having a good life, I decided to better it by shedding a few pounds, dropping some bad habits and picking up some lifestyle change habits.

After spending many hours going through various “wellness” sites, I decided to embark on this great quest of a better life with the “Reliance diet”- the desi version of the GM diet. “It works like magic” said one friend who had turned form Hardy to Laurel in three months. “Fool-proof” assured another slim from fat friend. “There’s an easy vegetarian version- ideal for you “said another friend who just returned from an ad shoot for a weight loss clinic. With the seven day diet clearly written and stuck to my refrigerator door, I started it with my heart full of hope and my stomach empty of normal food. Yes, it worked! I lost sadly not much weight as you would expect but a lot of hair and patience. I also lost my wonderful cook who was outraged that instead of koftas, fries and halwas, she had to make clear soup and boiled vegetables..Never one to give up easily, I followed various diets after that- “raw till four”, “smoothies all day”, “dry fasting till noon”, “ no white at night”, “oats and proteins”, “only salads” and even went vegan for a short while.. But everything came to nil. I wish the effects were are sensational as the names. There was only one result I noticed. The only thing I lost was hair and strength but not weight. I decided to cut my losses and bade a sad goodbye to my diet and my tresses.

I celebrated my freedom from clear soups and ‘only vegetable’ days with gulabjamuns. I cooked, baked, broiled and ate all the good things (vegetarian, of course)meant to be consumed in a good life. My pursuit of good life on the gastronomical path continued without fear or favour till I bumped into a school friend.When I was introduced to her husband he tactlessly but truthfully blurted that I looked like more like my buddy’s teacher than her class mate—I did look many years older than my slim and trim friend! I laughed it off but it rankled.

My brother in law’s remark made me think seriously about my weight. From that day, weight loss became a tempting option- I yearned to lose some weight. I learnt my first lesson about weight loss that moment- the desire to lose weight has to come from within. If you have the desire to do something about your weight, then and only then would you follow a diet or an exercise regimen strictly.

I have been following a few simple rules (after reading everything and more the internet has to offer on the topic) and it seems to be working: slowly but surely. I have stopped eating processed and instant foods. I try to prepare every meal I eat. Try to eat small meals at fixed times and take no added sugar. Eating smaller portions more frequently has helped as I feel full all the time. Also I don’t feel sorry for myself for depriving myself of things I crave for- I have everything (including a tiny portion of sweet once in a while) but in smaller portions and I never take second helpings of any dish except salad.

Here’s my light advice on a heavy topic- You are your best dietician: follow your heart as you follow your diet and things will work out!

BY Savitri Krishnamurty

skm2201@gmail.com