My family is very concerned about my health and they would do anything to help me become more healthy. On one side my father and mother worry about my health too much and on the other side, my brother always tries to come up with solutions to motivate me to get into an active lifestyle. Every time I have strictly listened to my parents and my brother, I have lost weight.
Here are some examples of things I have done in the past:
2011-2012 job break
In 2011, after my work stress started affecting my health and I was on the brink of hypertension, I quit my job and went to the UK and stayed with my brother for 3 months. During that time, he showed me the various types of exercises I could do and taught me how to watch YouTube and cook healthy food at home. Here is what I did during that time:
- Made it a habit to work out for at least 30 mins every day.
- Started reading the nutritional labels on products before buying anything.
- Ate whatever I fancied BUT made it myself using healthy ingredients at home.
Result: I lost about 9-10 Kgs. I felt on top of the world when people started talking about the change in me.
Thailand Fitness boot camp 2016
My brother used to always encourage me to do a fitness boot camp in Thailand. He even offered multiple times to cover my cost. However, I kept delaying it; until Dec 2016, when I finally decided I would give it a try. Although my brother wanted me to do a 14 - 21 days boot camp, I was skeptical and I opted for the one week program at Fresh Start Thailand Fitness Bootcamp in Chiang Mai. Each day was a new challenge. Activities ranged from long walks/treks, cycling (42kms), yoga, cardio tennis, circuit training, muay thai, step challenge (climbing the 309 steps of Doi Suthep temple 10 times!), etc. If I were to sum-up that one week in a simple sentence, I would just say that "it was very difficult; but in the end, it was rewarding"
Result: I lost about 4.5 Kgs (the pics above does not do justice).
Keto/Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) Diet 2019
This one was triggered by my mother, wife and two friends (Mejo & Anna). In fact, me, my wife, Mejo and Anna started the Keto diet together. After religiously following this diet for a good number of months, results started showing on me.
Result: I lost about 11Kgs. Again felt ecstatic.
I know there must be a question running in your mind now. If you have been successful all these times, how come you rebound? Well the answer is simple. I still haven't nailed the healthy lifestyle. I have not been able to consistently follow a good lifestyle consisting of healthy eating habits and exercising. Add to it, STRESS also plays a great part in my life. I work in a highly stressful environment + I believe the way I react to stress is also an issue. I am a stress/emotional eater. Also, since my college days, I would go the whole day without food but end up eating heavily (and that too junk) during the nights. This habit still continues. I feel the day I am able to stop my night hunger pangs (sometimes I eat even when I am not hungry); I will succeed.
I owe it to Vera Armishaw for motivating me to re-embark on this fitness journey.
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| Vera Armishaw, Auckland, NZ |
Who is she? Well, again, thanks to my brother, he was the one who forced me into meeting Vera (who happens to be a Nutritionist & Health Coach) for an online consultation session. I was very skeptical about meeting her because, I felt that I knew everything about fitness and nutrition and what more could she say. But my session with her was a motivating one. Unlike other nutritionist and coaches I have met, she her motto seemed to be "simple steps = big results". She did not try to advice me to take drastic steps. She suggested that I make small changes in my current lifestyle and over a period, see the impact. At the end of the session we agreed on the following bite-sized changes:
- Increase cycling from once a week to twice a week.
- For the remaining 5 days, walk for 40 mins (can do 20 mins in the morning and 20 mins in the evening).
- Swimming (if possible).
- Try to restrict uber/zomato etc. to twice a week.
- Eat two fruits a day.
- Buy low calorie snacks for snacking in case of cravings.
- Eat mindfully - at the table, put your food on a plate and eliminate any distractions such as screens, tv, etc. Focus on the food.
- Most importantly - When you crave for food, write down what type of food you crave for (sweet, sour, etc.), your emotions (why you are craving? Is it because you are hungry or not?)
- When out with friends, order one plate that has carbs, protein and vegetables as shown in the picture below:
Above all, Vera keeps messaging me to know my progress. To have such a person following up and making sure you are on the right track is a big support. I hope this journey will succeed!
