Confessions of a Serial Dieter

Having finally succeeded in transforming her slow-moving, unhealthy 104-kilo body to a slim-and-fit powerhouse that weighed half as much, life became easier and happier all round for this New Delhi-based media professional. She recently published her candid book describing the ups and downs she faced while trying to lose weight, until sheer motivation made her succeed. Her experience gained from trying out many diets and her interaction with those aroundher—family, colleagues, friends, dietitians—also taught her many life’s lessons, and about why some people can’t resist the urge to indulge.

“While urban India witnesses an obesity epidemic, weight loss is the ultimate struggle that many of us have to deal with whether its a few kilos or forty,” says the author, whose insights into the dieter’s psyche offers solutions—and much inspiration.

My weight was an embarrassment to me. I hated being fat. I was not cute. And it was not funny. The jokes, the jibes, they hurt. And somebody saying, “Hey, you have really put on weight,” did not help. (Thanks, how considerate of you to have noticed.) But if nobody notices, you continue down the same path of self-delusion. This puts people in a tough spot. Do/should/can they tell you? Friends and family do, but only up to a point.

It was a dark, lonely place. I was happiest in my pyjamas. Happy on the outside, always joking, but hurting deep inside. Doing anything was difficult—everyone judged me for my weight.

People say losing weight is one of the hardest things to do, and it is. But putting on weight is not that easy either. It’s actually much harder. It took me eleven years of uncontrolled eating to put it on and about 18 months of focus to lose it and stabilize it.

Having achieved that after trying out many diets* and workouts, I’ve learnt a few things. The bottom line is: A fit you is the best you. And anyone who is fit and looks great is working at it. It doesn’t just happen.

If I can, anyone can. Having conquered that battle, I write my confessions.

Confession No. 1

I was 104 kilos. (Yep, triple digits.) I had to face my weight.

Facing it is the first step to dealing with the problem. For me, talking about it was like coming out of the closet, finally. Weight is a very sensitive topic, deeply connected with our emotions. I think most dietitians don’t understand that, because most of them have not done that diet or