Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew!!

I finished my Senior High School board exams and was ready to relax and unwind after all the pressure. However, another stress weighed heavily on me for a long time: my weight. I was overweight and on the verge of becoming obese. I needed to take care of myself and do something about it soon.

Until then, I had never felt ashamed of my weight or body size. I was a bright student and consistently ranked at the top of my class. I took pride in my academic achievements and needed to be more careful about my health and weight management. A foodie at heart, I loved indulging in sweets and rich foods. It never occurred to me that I needed to look fit and healthy; appearance was a secondary concern for me.

But now that school was over and I was preparing to join college, I became more conscious of my looks. Perhaps it was a sign of puberty that prompted me to realize I needed to make a change regarding my size and weight. Without wasting time, I consulted a dietitian who created a strict diet plan for me and recommended daily morning and evening walks and light exercise.

I accepted the challenge and was determined to bring about a positive change in my life. In 1997, I committed to reducing my calorie intake and walking daily. Following my dietician’s meal plan and…