Why this blog?

Dealing with weight problem is stressful (from all perspectives – personally and emotionally). This is a blog about my experience with these issues and some notes with tips that may help you (but not an exhaustive list by any means). The big question – “Did you lose weight naturally?” – Yes, I did. Many of friends and family were surprised with the results and wanted to know my routine. This blog is for all of them and other weight loss aspirants. Thanks to all my friends & family, without whom I wouldn’t have taken the first step toward slimming up.

How heavy was I?

At 21 I was 5’7” and 105kgs – this translates to a BMI of 36 kg/m2 – i.e., OBESE. Owing to immense banter from friends and family, I was under pressure to lose the extra weight I was carrying. The ideal weight for that age and height is 75-85kgs, but medical recommendation is around 65-75kgs. So I had to lose almost 25kgs+ - that’s a lot of weight. Picturesquely,

(Around 230 pounds in 2/2001)

(A picture describes a thousand words!!)

My first steps- 2^nd semester at Arizona

I moved to Arizona for studies and started my routine in the 2^nd semester. Because I was obese I couldn’t start off big, so I began small with short jogs of half a mile followed by walking return – every other day for 2 weeks. At the end of 2 weeks, my body was more prepared and got into a routine. I gradually increased the jog to 1 mile and walk back the 1 mile home – every other day for 2 weeks. By now I was excited and satisfied with my pace. Then, I slowly “tried” to run the 2^nd mile, but I couldn’t do 2 miles in a stretch – so I took a 5 minute rest break at the end of 1^st mile and ran the 2^nd mile back – once every other day for 2 weeks. Then, I slowly cut off the rest break and did the 2 mile continuously – once every other day for 2 weeks. At the end of 2 months I was convinced that I could certainly do this. During this period I also controlled my diet. I had to watch my diet so that my metabolism could catch up. I added swimming to my routine and alternated between jogging and swimming - each twice a week for 3 weeks. Gradually I increased my pace and distance.

By the 2^nd semester end I could run 4 miles (in about 1 hour) and swim 2 laps nonstop.

(Around 215 pounds in 6/2001)

3^rd Semester

I continued this routine into the 3^rd semester and now I added skipping – (that was easy when I was a teenager). This kind of combination continued until the onset of Arizona winter and then it was just swim and skip until winter was over. Some diet restrictions were followed, but body was doing well and metabolism was catching up good.

By the end of 3^rd semester I could do 100 skips nonstop, run 5 miles in 1 hour and swim 4 laps nonstop. By now the people in my jogging path already knew me. My friends saw me running on sidewalk and were happy for me.

(Around 200 pounds in 12/2001 – for lack of a better picture)

4^th Semester

Although this semester was tight with projects, job hunt and exams, I managed to squeeze through some exercise. Most diet restrictions were off. By now the change in me was evident. Everybody noticed the loss of body mass in me – my neck was more visible, my cheeks were in etc.

By the end of the 4^th semester I could do 5 miles in 50 minutes. A very funny thing happened when I visited my family back home –and they took some time in recognizing me and were shocked to see just 2/3^rd of me.

(Around 185 pounds in 6/2002)

5^th Semester

Now I lived all by myself and thus was more flexible with exercise timings. So I added weekends’ morning to jog and of course cycling was always there since 1^st semester. More routine jogging and cut down on swimming a bit. Added push-ups and some yoga (all stretching exercises) to my routine. Oil/butter etc were still off limits and were acceptable only on occasions.

(Around 175 pounds 12/2002)

6^th Semester

Managed to pull in stomach crunches. Cut swimming off and added more jogging for weekends. This was the peek period. I managed to get to my slimmest shape ever. Another very funny thing was that my brother in US hadn’t seen me for almost 3 years now and when I went to visit him, he just drove past me at the airport pickup – twice!

By now I could run 5 miles in 45 minutes or so.

(Around 155 pounds in 6/2003)

Finally, after 2.5 years I spotted 155 pounds on the scale. A dream achieved!!

Diet:

Initially, reduced fatty / carb food. (and in some cases completely cut them off). Then as body was able to handle better, I reintroduced some back into the diet. Oil/Butter was very sparingly used and that too just for occasions and delicacies. Potato, rice, sugar intake was reduced. Added more fruits, vegetables, spinach, and baked food into diet. Limited rice only to afternoons. Heavy breakfast (cereals, bread with egg, milk), moderate lunch (rice with some curry or soup), light dinner (curd, bread sandwich, vegetable salad, fruits). Took some cookies as snacks.

Wardrobe:

Didn’t change every semester, but finally in 2003, changed my wardrobe.

Am I able to keep it off?

I have been continuing a scaled down version of my routine – 1 jog per week and 50 stomach crunches twice daily.

(Around 160 pounds in 6/2006)

Summary

I have never been to the gym to do weights. I don’t smoke or drink either and I am a eggetarian. For the past 3 years, just with running, I have been able to control my weight to 155-160 pounds. All diet restrictions are now off. Went down from pant size 42/44 to 30. Went down from shirt size of 44 to 38 (or XL to M).