FROM BEING FRUSTRATED TO FIT: MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY & GETTING BACK IN SHAPE.
Losing weight and getting in shape can be challenging and can lead to frustration, especially if it feels like no progress is being made. This is a common experience for many people who are trying to improve their health and fitness.
I know how disheartening it can be to try different approaches without seeing the results you want. However, there was a turning point in my journey where I made the decision to commit to a healthy lifestyle change.
In this blog post, I want to share my journey with you and the steps I took to go from frustrated to fit, in the hope that it may inspire and encourage you on your own path towards a healthier lifestyle.
Over the past few years, family members who hadn’t seen me in a while frequently mentioned that I seemed to have gained weight since the last time they saw me. I ignored their comments.
During my last visit to the doctor, I was surprised by the results. I’m in my late 40s and have had a regular habit of getting an annual health check-up done owing to my adverse family health history. However, this time I received some unexpected news.
The test results from my doctor came as a shock and caused my already high blood pressure to skyrocket. My cholesterol levels were high, which could increase my risk of cardiac problems, especially since I am over 50 and also overweight with a BMI of 95 kg.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that being overweight or obese is a major health threat that is increasing in many countries. It is now one of the leading causes of health problems, replacing traditional issues like malnutrition and infectious diseases.
Obesity can lead to many serious health issues, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, certain types of cancer, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
Recently, one of my colleagues at work had a heart attack and passed away, at the age of 45, which made me very concerned about my own health. Despite being reminded by loved ones to take care of my health, I had not paid much attention to it before this incident.
With this incident still fresh in my mind, along with the bad news that my doctor had already given, my health was all I could think about. It was causing me both physical and mental suffering.
Previously, I had taken the advice of family and friends who had struggled with weight loss and tried various methods such as buying gym memberships (which I later stopped using due to lack of time), expensive protein powders, health drinks, and weight loss supplements. However, these methods did not seem to be effective for me, and even if I did lose weight, I would eventually gain it back and more.
When I decided to make a change and commit to a healthier lifestyle, the first steps I took were:
TAKING SMALL, MANAGEABLE STEPS IS THE ULTIMATE KEY TO SUCCESS IN HACKING THE SCALE.
I slowly and gradually changed my diet plan to include fewer processed and unhealthy foods. For example, I gradually stopped eating bread for breakfast and instead ate fruit.
EARLY TO BED AND EARLY TO RISE MAKES A MAN HEALTHY WEALTHY & WISE.
I started waking up 15 minutes earlier every day and gradually increased the time I woke up by 30 minutes and then an hour. I also took short, brisk walks in the morning and evening to increase my metabolism.
ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP WHEN IN DOUBT.
Consulting with a nutritionist was helpful in my journey to better health. He helped me understand the importance of balanced nutrition in my diet plan.
I had been following the advice, but in the wrong manner. All that was required was a minor adjustment to my diet without having to give up my favourite foods and go hungry.
PATIENCE & PERSISTENCE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS.
I soon recognized that I couldn’t expect to see significant changes overnight, so I set small, achievable goals for myself and celebrated each milestone along the way.
Adopting a smart approach with lesser expectations not only eliminates the frustrations, but also gives peace of mind and the additional confidence to achieve the desired goal.
I developed positive habits to prioritize self-care and my own well-being, which helped me stay motivated and on track with my goals.
I realized that simply reducing my food intake and exercising wasn’t enough to solve my weight and health issues. The root cause was deeper than just a lack of self-control.
Whenever I passed by my favorite Vada Pav (Indian burger) joint, which is like McDonald’s, on the way to or from work, I couldn’t resist the temptation to have a quick snack and some Coke, even though I had a healthy and filling breakfast just an hour or so earlier. The Vada Pav was too spicy to eat on its own and therefore needed a liquid supplement.
The thought that this might be my last chance to eat a Vada Pav made me feel like I had to eat as much as possible. I had the mentality that I had to eat a lot whenever food was available, even if I wasn’t hungry.
This caused me to eat unhealthy foods, in spite of other good habits like not smoking or drinking regularly. My brain was programmed to eat a lot whenever food was available.
It was this craving and the feeling that was the root cause of the problem and the biggest challenge for me was to address that trigger and eliminate the same completely without having to compromise on my body’s food requirements.
To overcome challenges and setbacks, I found it helpful to practice mindfulness and remind myself of my goals and the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.
I also accepted the fact that I was not perfect and that it was okay to make mistakes or have setbacks. I learned to be patient with myself and not let one slip-up ruin my progress. I stopped worrying and feeling guilty if I did have an occasional bite!!
I found it helpful to have a support system of my family, particularly my wife, who was encouraging and caring, in the sense that she prepared alternate, healthy versions of the foods that I loved to eat.
I learned that different approaches work for different people during my weight loss journey, and it was important to be open to trying new methods if something wasn’t working for me.
To overcome challenges and setbacks, I needed to be persistent, prioritize self-care, be willing to adapt, and understand my own body rather than blindly following the advice of others.
I realized that my brain, which is capable of thinking and making choices, had been leading me down the wrong path. I needed to reprogram it in order to make healthy choices.
Consistency and dedication played a major role in my journey towards a healthier lifestyle. By making small but sustainable changes to my diet and exercise routine and sticking to them consistently over time, I saw significant improvements in my health and well-being.
In addition to being affordable, (unlike the expensive gym plans and the supplements that did not give results)the results were amazing and exceeded my expectations. I was able to bring my weight down to around 84 kg, in under 30 days, control my bad cholesterol levels, and increase my good cholesterol.
Consistency also helped me reduce my craving for Vada Pav (although I still enjoy it in moderation). The power of cumulative effect of small, daily healthy habits was really transformative.
By making small, healthy choices every day, I was able to make a significant impact on my overall health. Being dedicated to my goals and staying committed to my healthy habits helped me stay motivated and on track, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.
In addition, the sense of accomplishment and pride that came with sticking to my healthy habits helped to boost my confidence and self-esteem. I felt more in control of my own health and well-being, and was able to make healthier choices in other areas of my life as well.
In conclusion, my journey to a healthier lifestyle has been filled with challenges and setbacks, but also with many rewarding and transformative experiences.
By consistently making small, healthy choices and staying dedicated to my goals, I was able to make significant improvements in my health and well-being. I learned that what works for me might not work for everyone, and that it was important to be open to trying new approaches and to be patient with myself.
Overall, my journey has taught me the importance of consistency and dedication, and the transformative power of small, daily habits. It has also helped me to gain a sense of control over my own health and well-being, and to make healthier choices in other areas of my life as well.
I hope that my experience can inspire others to make positive changes in their own lives, and to persevere even when faced with challenges or setbacks. So, it’s never too late to start the journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
To maintain good health, it’s important to have a positive mindset and take care of yourself, rather than punishing yourself with guilt. Being kind to yourself and practicing self-care can help you achieve and maintain good health.
It’s also important to approach health challenges with a balanced and mindful approach, rather than getting overly anxious or critical of yourself. Life is too short for negative emotions. One needs to enjoy life rather than sweat the small stuff.
Suggested Reading:
How To Get Off A Weight Loss Plateau & Keep It That Way.
