I’m not going to waste time discussing what we all know. For the longest time I have been listening to the endless chatter of wanting to become thin and loose weight, not just from women but men too. I have also seen some loose it, incredible transformations that were done via an unhealthy route of fad diets, and no knowledge of self care. It was no wonder I wasn’t able to find inspiration from such stories, and people. Everyone goes on their own journey of fitness, and if you don’t know what works for you, or don’t know how you can make that lifestyle change that you need, you won’t really do it. Trial and error, and failure can lead us to become hopeless, I was there too. I am not completely out of it, but here’s what health means to me now.

A peek into the past

I was always average built, chubby as a child, skinny through childhood and adolescent got me to a normal BMI range. I was involved in sports at school, had a back back since high school but overall, I was fit and looked good in anything I wore. Was conscious of certain aspects of my physique (sadly that’s normal) but it never interfered with my life. Got married and soon was pregnant. Most women undergo their lives biggest body related changes due to pregnancy, and I was one of them. Considering my pregnancies were high risk, and took away all my attention toward the preemie I had to cater to, or deal with the trauma of the preemie I lost before that, my experience has been tough. I gained a lot of weight, and sadly was not guided properly during my pregnancy by my docs or the women in my life. I was young, and didn’t know anyone my age who went through a pregnancy, so it was a lonely experience, with no guidance in the health zone. I lost a lot of that weight, simply because I was young and disgusted with how I looked. It was a big shift from 85 kgs to 65kgs. It took time, it took quitting chocolate and chocolate products, aerobics at home, climbing up and down the stairs. It was hard work, but it paid off. And in that process I realised how much I was avoiding social situations because of how I looked and how that impacted me emotionally. I gained back my confidence to be social again and enjoy it all.

Fast forward to another pregnancy that was full term, and with lots of guidance from a dietician and doc, I gained just the appropriate amount of weight and lost it all pretty much within a yr and a half of giving birth. No I didn’t go on any diet, and no I didn’t add any specific activities for weight loss.I simply was active and that helped. But things changed when I had my first spine injury followed by a surgery in 2018. Physiotherapy made me loose weight, but physically I have never had the same capacity to be active.

Present Situation

Another herniated disc, and docs suggesting surgery or pain management to avoid surgery. It’s not easy, currently obese, and unable to run or even walk fast without increasing pain. The scene is not as it was when I was in my early twenties. I am a permanent patient.So in all the scheme of things, weight loss becomes difficult. Having the right lifestyle is so crucial for a person like me to be able to live to my potential as an early thirties mom of two! I see my mom and women in my family who have been impacted greatly due to the excess weight they carry. And sadly no one guides us in a fruitful manner, in fact I am going to share some of the lessons I have learned that have directed me towards making the big change (or at-least starting it)

1. Not everyone wants to loose weight to look better. For those who aren’t concerned about physical appearance, it takes much more logic and reasoning to start on a healthy life
2. Surrounding yourself by people who don’t say it like it is, is harmful.
3. Finding what motivates your own mentality is important
4. All dietitians don’t say the same thing, it’s important to find one that educates you. Anyone can give you a diet, but when you don’t know what food impacts your body in what way, you will be clueless
5. Tracking devices (fitbands, health bands, apps, or smart watches), any kind of accountability helps big time
6. Sleep is very important for women, we don’t take it seriously
7. Health is a journey, and you have to enjoy it. The end goal will be reached regardless. The focus should be on the journey and enjoying it
8. Depending on others for gratification is not practical. Be your own monitor, and praise yourself for your hardwork and choices. Only we know what we’re going through when we choose to not eat a certain food over others, only we know how much effort it takes mentally, physically, emotionally, to do that walk, or physiotherapy.
9. Your health is in your hand, there’s no one size fits all. Don’t give up if one thing doesn’t work for you, something else will.
10. Being happy and content with yourself is crucial. You are not just your physical self, mental and emotional health is just as important.

What am I currently doing?

I am keeping it simple. I got a Body Composition Analysis (BCA) done and that helped me gain clarity on what is what with my body. That’s how I am going to track my progress long term, and for the short term I have invested in a fitness band. I am lucky enough to have a friend who started her fitness journey a few months before me and inspires me to stay on track. I am making decisions based on intellect and long term, which has helped me feel good and proud of myself.

Curious to know about your health journeys, if you have any tips do share them in the comments below would love to read them 🙂