READER'S STORY: "How I lost 37 kg in 1 year!"

Hello readers! If you have followed my blog since the beginning then you know that, “Sifa’s Corner” not only features Beauty and Makeup it also covers healthy lifestyle. Being a Dental Surgeon, I know the importance of a healthy body….and it brings out today’s topics- Weight loss.

It’s imperative to maintain a healthy weight and be active for a healthy body. In these last 6 months, I am gradually gaining weight and facing many troubles that I have never experienced before.
(That is a subject we will chat later!)

Some days ago, I came across an inspiring story of a very pretty girl named “Bushra” who wrote about how she was bullied and faced physical troubles when she was overweight. By her determination and hard work, she has lost 37 kg (81 lbs) in 1 year. I know many of you ladies (including me) are trying hard to resolve weight issues. This is why I asked her some questions. Today I am publishing her words regarding her weight-loss journey.

**I heartily thank Bushra for letting me share the chit-chat with readers of Sifa’s Corner.**

Q. How long have you suffered from weight troubles?

A: I was always a healthy girl from my childhood but my weight became a trouble when I was in sixth grade on 2004. I suffered from obesity for more than 9 years.

Q. What was the biggest problem you have faced at that time?

A: Though I was fatty girl, I did not suffer from any serious physical difficulties. But within a few years it affected me mentally and broke my self-confidence. Everyone kept bullying me as if I was a thing of joke! My only feature was “that fatty ugly girl”. This made me very disappointed and also lazy. I felt shy to walk, to talk and even to look at mirror. The biggest problem I faced was that I lost my wish to survive in the world. Nobody accepted me normally.

Moreover, on 2011 it was found that I was suffering from hormonal imbalance, which was also for my obesity, or it can be said that I was obese due to this hormonal imbalance. So at that time, I also became physically ill as well as a mentally broken girl.

Q. What and who motivated you to lose weight?

A: The hormonal imbalance forced me to come in a routine life. I started to maintain a diet chart but my progress was very slow since I was not that much serious. I was still depressed and considered my life just pathetic. I tried to please and convince everyone with my loyalty and politeness. But these were never enough for anything or anyone. I was always criticized for my bulk and ugliness.

After becoming a failure in every sphere of life only for my outlook, suddenly I felt the urge to fight against my own self. At that time, one of my best friends Gunjon supported me solely and primarily guided me about what I need to do. Pain and humiliation of 9 long years motivated me to fight like “Do or die”!

Q. When did you start working towards weight loss and a healthy lifestyle?

A: On October 07, 2013, I joined a gym and started my journey of losing weight. This time I was really very determined to work hard. At first the exercises didn’t seem so easy going or flexible but within some days I started to be addicted with the exercise routine and started walking more. I started loving myself, my confidence started growing. At this time, I planned to maintain a healthy diet to be more fit and sound. I managed exercise and proper diet equally.

Q. Did you do any exercise? What did you do?

A: At gym, basically I maintained a routine of exercise. I did-

Treadmill- 30 minutes with brisk pace.

Cycling- 15 minutes with high speed continuously.

Cross training- 15 minutes with full load.

Twister- 150 times.

Sit ups- 250 times minimum within 20 minutes.

Royal machine- 150 times.

Beside these equipment exercises, I also managed to walk with brisk pace for 1.5-2 hours per day. On Fridays my gym was weekly closed but I maintained my walking session on the weekends and holidays too.

Q. What was your diet?

A: At the beginning I followed the diet chart I got from the gym. This was-

Breakfast: 1 ruti (a type of home made bread), veg & raw tea 1 cup.
Lunch: 1-cup rice, veg & 1 pc chicken.
Evening meal: 1-cup green tea, fruits or 2 pc biscuit. Fruit was mainly apple or grapefruit.
Dinner: 1 ruti, veg & 3-tablespoon sour curd.

I followed this chart for 1 month. After this period I felt that the diet had been suited with my body and I was not feeling that hungry. But one thing we need to know that for weight loss we have to maintain our meal in a way that should not over fill our stomach, we need to be a little bit hungry all the time. So, I modified my diet chart-

Breakfast: 2 pcs Lexus biscuit, 1-cup warm water+honey+lemon, raw tea often.
Lunch: 1 spoon rice, veg, often chicken or fish.
Evening meal: green tea & fruits.
Dinner: veg, 2-tablespoon sour curd.

I maintained this diet for 3 months. After this I went for the diet where fruit became my main meal as follows-

Breakfast: 3-4 slice apple or watermelon, raw tea 1-cup.
Lunch: veg soup 1-cup, black coffee, often chicken.
Evening meal: 1-cup green tea, 2-3 slice fruits.
Dinner: 2-3 slice fruit, veg & sour curd 2-3 tablespoon.

It is to be noted that I used to eat one or two eggs per week. I added egg in my lunch. I also drank milk once or twice a week.

Q. How much weight have you lost till now?

A: Now it has been almost a year of my journey of weight-loss and healthy lifestyle. I am very happy by the grace of Almighty to inform that I have lost 37 kilograms (81.57 lbs) till now.

I lost 34 kilos (74.9 lbs) within first 6 months (October 2013 to April 13, 2014) and after that, I have lost another 3 kilos within next 5 months (May 2014- September, 2014).

I was 97 kilos (213.8 lbs) on 7^th oct 2013 and right now I am 60 kilos (132.27 lbs) and my height is 5’4”.

Q. Do you feel anything different after the weight loss?

A: After losing weight, it seems like I am reincarnated! Now I am happy with my existence in the world. I feel confident to express myself. My physical illness has also been recovered and I am completely healthy now. I am always appreciated and I remain thankful to everyone. The journey has made me realize that nothing is impossible if one has the will to achieve the goal. It has taught me about how to keep patience, to be self-controlled and be happy. I feel satisfied with my health and lifestyle after the weight loss.

Q. What do you do now to maintain the healthy weight?

A: So now, when I am 60 kilos, I am still trying to shed at least 3 more kilos to be perfect with my shape. I am still maintaining gym exercises though I do not take pressures like before.

I accomplish my exercises within my ability and walk with brisk pace for 1 hour per day. I maintain my diet like before but yes, nowadays I eat rice once or twice a week, I attend invitations and reward myself with delicious foods, but the quantity of the food always remains very light. I mainly avoid carbohydrates (rice, sugar, breads) and regularly consume fruits, vegetable, protein and hot drinks.

Q. And lastly, Do you have anything to share with the readers of “Sifa’s Corner” regarding healthy lifestyle?

A: The one-year journey of weight loss has guided me to love myself at any situation. One thing you have to remember that it is only YOU who can and will improve yourself. So never expect this from others but yourself. Nobody could do anything for me when I was obese; it was only me who could do something for myself.

Hard truth is, outlook matters in this evil society. So, love yourself, do your absolutely best. Only then the world will be on your side.

I want to share some easy activities to maintain healthy lifestyle. These are-

Walk everyday at least for 30 minutes.
Avoid junk food and over-eating.
Eat greens and fruits as much as you can.
Stop drinking coke or soda.
Love yourself.

Nobody can be perfect, but love your life and yourself. That will bring activeness and love for the surroundings. Last but not least I must say, “Be patient and Be the winner!!!”

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