Health and Wellness: Realization, Focus and Determination: My weight lo...

Health and Wellness: Realization, Focus and Determination: My weight lo...: Weight...one of the most favorite topic of women. All the woman whether skinny or fat, short or tall young or old always ponder over this...

Realization, Focus and Determination: My weight loss Journey

Weight...one of the most favorite topic of women. All the woman whether skinny or fat, short or tall young or old always ponder over this topic. I have personally observed groups of women always discussing this issue whether they are serious or not so serious about staying fit (slim)

There are reasons for this topic to arise commonly, looking at the current scenario of skinny models (mostly inspiring teenagers) who in my opinion look so emaciated as if they are malnourished. Herd mentality - mostly seen nowadays as if slender bodies impersonate professional carrier, oriented women. Sometimes it is thought that slim and well proportionate bodies are sexually and visually more attractive. There are many more reasons and as we all know that body ideal priorities keep changing in a women's lifespan.

Today I am going to share my own weight loss goals and hurdles I faced. I am writing this as an Indian woman who shares and knows the Indian women's mentality to the core.

I was married when I was 24. I was considered huge even though I was just 127 pounds(58 kg) but I was taller than average women (5.8") according to my family ("Marriageable age"...phew!!!). I became a mother at 26. after that I started gaining weight year by year and weighed 168 pounds(76 kg) at times. But still, no one or nothing motivated me to even think about losing weight. Reasons being put forth that time were so silly, gosh!! I feel, when I think now, that "its ok, it happens". You should look (Khate peete ghar ki) means coming from a well to do family literally. "now you are married!!" "putting on weight is a sign of a happy marriage"...Seriously!!. This weight is normal and what not. I too happily accepted all this pampering. Once in a while, I thought to reduce somewhat but after few futile attempts in the community gym, I used to lose hope instantly...thinking nothing would be possible now.

I moved to the USA when I was 31 and 78 kg (171 lbs). Here too I had a few friends who had similar thinking with literally no motivation for any kind of weight loss. Only unfruitful discussions of losing weight. Yes, I too was an active participant in these discussions unaware of what I am doing to myself (being a doctor makes me more ashamed when I think now) How could someone be so ignorant is the first thought that crosses my mind today each time I look at my older pictures.

Coming to the US with dependent Visa and nothing much to do (Professionally of course) I decided to join the town's recreation center at the end of the year 2012 which had many group fitness classes for nominal fees. I was very skeptical to join as I was really not sure if I would be able to complete any single class looking at my current weight and health. Still, I went there for Zumba workout class to start with. As supposed, I was unable to keep the pace and felt extremely bad about myself. I left the class and went home literally crying. I thought the whole night and decided that I should not lose hope as it was only the first day. Next day I decided to join the spin class with determination and new hope. The instructor advised me to take it at my own pace and complete the class if possible. This was somewhat soothing to my scared soul. I completed the class and felt as if it was a big achievement. After doing spin for an hour for 5 days a week and a month, the weighing scale started moving (down of course). Self-determination was the only thing that kept me going the whole month because I can't explain in words here every other thought in my mind asking me to quit. Every morning, after dropping my kid to the bus stop and pulling myself on those cold days with snow covered roads to reach the recreation center three miles away, was not an easy task. That too leaving your husband behind at home looking at his erratic work schedule with very less family time can be understood very well by my Indian friends.Yes, I was now obsessed with my fitness routine. Slowly I realized few people staying for next class as well. I thought how could they? And if they can then why can't I? 

One thing I would like to mention here, American women (Gori's as we fondly call them in Hindi) are very health conscious. The way they workout with proper knowledge and correct supplementation is very inspiring. I have seen many Indian women coming and going throughout my gym journey until now. I can say the fitness realization, focus and regularity are hardly found in us Indian women ....controversial right !!!! realization might be there..depends...but focus and regularity cannot be debated in my experience of 6 years of gym. There are various reasons including social/economic factors responsible and many excuses are given all the time, I cannot go into every detail in one go. But, yes I can say I was inspired by the Gori's. I talked with the instructors, one of them said its always good to do some strength training along with the Cardio. Yes, there are various terms for proper exercising. I was hearing them for the first time. Again I self-motivated myself to do that class too. I lost one pound every week during that month and afterward.  Daily calorie burn was 750. As my weight was coming down I was getting more enthusiastic but that was the only positive thing happening during this course. Every day my bones were aching as if broken. That time I never thought to take any supplement or protein for recovering my body strength. I felt that those will unnecessarily increase my weight ( so foolish, I know). I lost 20 pounds in a duration of 6 months. Over the time I lost a few more pounds and now I am settled at 146 lbs. I still go to the gym and workout and maintain this routine. Now... only to maintain my Ideal weight and as I love my fitness regime above all. It has given me my confidence back.

Now I will list down my motivations and demotivation in my weight loss journey:

Motivations:

1. Weighing scale descending every week.

2. I saw women(non-Indian) who were so conscious about working out.

3. There were two pregnant ladies who used to spin daily, talking to them made me realize the importance of my own body after childbirth.

4.  Self will power- most important according to me.

Demotivations:

1. Body ache and exertional headache all day.

2. Household chores

3. My friends saying.. "you don't have much work as you only have one child".

4. I could not say I am tired to my in-laws or daughter as they would expect me to sit home instead of working out.

Overcoming the Demotivation:

1. I used to take painkillers...yes not good, I know but I used to because I thought the effects will be temporary and soon I would not have to take them anymore once my goal is achieved.

2. Household chores- this has no overcoming or options living in the U.S

3. Ignoring friends who don't help but demotivate by their talks is the best option when you have a focus in your life. I am glad I did.

4. Willpower and self-determination can help to achieve the unthinkable.

Most common Excuses given by Indian women on not exercising:

1. I have a back problem. Common!! Every woman after childbirth mostly has it. I had a C-section and I have severe back issues. I had to take traction during my pregnancy due to disc lock. If you have willpower and research for good exercises that can be easily overcome.

2. Leg pain

3. There is so much work at home with kids and cooking and cleaning that I don't get time. This factor needs self-observation. What do you want in life?

4. "You are tall so your weight does not show. Whatever I do shows on my body so I have lost hope" and many many more...

Some Helpful Tips:

I researched and developed a routine now after doing all the blunders during my weight loss journey. These things will definitely help keep up the stamina for the whole day.

1.Drink lots of water- this will help with headaches

2. Have a good plant-based protein supplement with less carb content. I, being a vegetarian recommend this Protein supplement

3. Take water-soluble vitamin supplement for instant hydration and energy. I recommend this  supplement

4. Cut down on three things - sugar, cheese, and butter

My whole reason for writing this article is sharing my experience and trying to motivate a few to exercise and feel good about yourself. I know if I can do it then anyone can.

Before

After

Disclaimer: This article is not intended for people with serious medical issues or to offend any cast creed or race. The set of exercises I did benefitted my body. individual results may vary.

Please Leave your comments or questions below.

Is Health Anxiety Killing our Health?

Health is Wealth as is always said. Everybody in today's world is conscious and overanxious about there own health.
There is a valid reason though.
1. Today's fast lifestyle.
2. Stress at the peak.
3.Competition to add for.
There is no time to relax our mind and body for a healthy living.
As a result..depression in the form of constant irritation, headaches, insomnia, obesity, Anorexia, lack of concentration and much more to list for.
To get rid of these problems people always try to think and search for there health-related queries on the net or by reading health-related books. By doing so I feel that they are increasing their knowledge but adding more woes to there health.
Today we can find every damn thing through the net. it's good but always dangerous. Today instead of thinking for a solution to the problems we keep on thinking more about it and try to gain more knowledge about the probabilities which in turn is more harmful to our health.
We have a health problem, we think, we gain knowledge, we again think of probable consequences, we again feel morose and depressed and deteriorate our health. This is a vicious cycle.
Research has even proved that the more we think of our problems the more we feel the edge of that. The more we relax and face it is always helpful.
So folks
1. Excercise
2. Healthy food habits. and
3. Meditation
can help for a healthy living. This is what we keep on hearing all the time from everyone..everyone knows that these things are to be followed and are the easiest solutions ....but is it that easy to follow?
food for thought:
1. Are the above solutions too much to ask for?
2. Cant, we dedicate an hour on these instead of super browsing about our ailments?
3. Any motivational thoughts to take on this health anxiety?

My experience: I follow a regular exercise routine. I always motivate myself every day by thinking that I have a long life ahead and no one but I have to look after myself. Whenever I get sick( thankfully not often), I am the one who has to suffer, not my parents nor husband will take away my sufferings and can only sympathize. I personally don't like taking sympathies from anyone Instead like to prepare myself for the worst.This motivates me to stay fit and go to the gym every day.

Please leave your comments....