5 things I quit to be fit and healthy
Thank you, Dipika, for passing on the baton and introducing me to your blog. With the lifestyle change, there is a change in our eating habits too and I want to talk about things I quit by choice and not by force. We have started eating mindfully to be fit and healthy. But what is mindful eating? Take up any newspaper, magazine or log on to any fitness website; there’s a different story on every different platform. Also, there are as many nutritionists and mobile apps as many seekers. So, which one to follow?
The life before
Our body frame changes every 10 years. And so changes the way our body reacts to different foods. Earlier in college, I used to eat every fried food without any mindful thinking. I just enjoy the food and still stay slim. I miss those times when I would be back home and binge on French fries or aloo chaat made by mom. There were no fatty effects on my body at that time. It was purely food and not a target of being fit.
Observe your body patterns
But times change. My twenties saw a huge fluctuation in my body weight because of marriage and deliveries. Walking has been my best companion since my teen years. More than being fit, walking contributes to mental wellness; the best time when I am with nature.
Along with exercise, I started to observe my body patterns. It is important to understand your body; how does the body react to which food and fitness regime? The soul mantra to a beautiful body is to love your body first. To love it and accept it the way it is today. When you love your spouse/children, they return the love equally or even more. Your body also reacts in the same way. It just needs love.
The food I quit for a fit and healthy body
It is a known fact that fried foods and processed sugar harm your body the most. But how to quit when you like them so much? But I started with one thing at a time and observed how my body reacted. From both fried and sweets, leaving sweets is a little easier for me.
- Gulab Jamun– This is my most favourite desi sweet dish. I love both the shapes- round and long ones. I can eat them without counting till my stomach bursts. But I left it and saw the reaction of my body. After a month or so, I could resist it. And my body positively reacted.
- Chocolates– This is not an addiction but close to that. It is an instant mood enhancer. Many times, I realise I crave it in the evenings as soon as I get up from my afternoon nap. But currently, I am controlling my cravings for good.
- Chole Bhature– I simply drool over chole
bhature but I don’t have them now. I can smell it and feel I have consumed the taste and not the fats. - Cheese- I love the cheese, grilled bread or the dripping cheese over pizzas but I don’t have them now. And it is for good because I see the change in my body over a month after I left these dishes.
- Coke/Pepsi– Remember what Baba Ramdev said about aerated drinks? Are they toilet cleaners? Well, I don’t know how much he was right. But I like the taste and they complement every food so well. But the sugar contained in it is not good for my body. So this is also abandoned by me.
Everything in proportion
When you leave your favourite dish for weeks, one day you bounce back hard. This is very dangerous. And you don’t see any positive results in your fitness either, because you don’t enjoy it. The best way is to have everything in moderation. When you start enjoying your fitness regime and see good results, you automatically realise the side effects of over-eating. Nothing is harmful to the body until you realise.
I also eat all my favourite dishes once
From here, I introduce Kalpana Maninvannan, who is our next blogger talking about the same topic.
I am participating in the ‘Get Fit, Stay Fit’ blog party with Bon Happetee!
Hosted by
First Time Mommy
Aesha’s Musings
Kreative Mommy
Sirimiri
Few people realise the need to adapt our food habits with the changes our body goes through over the years. Good post. Moderation is the key.
Thank you Varsh.
Very nice post, taking care of yourself is equally important for all women, I make sure I get some for me, water yoga makes me happy and keep me fit
Yes, I agree. Thanks.
Nice, Geethica!
Tiny steps & some breakups are meant to be the best in your life. Glad to know giving up these foods (which have been my muse & ‘mood enhancers’ too!) have worked well for your health.
Thank you Ashvini.
Lovely post Geethica. Enjoyed reading your fitness journey and thank you so much for introducing me.
Thank you Kalpana.
Oh, I love all the above. Chocolate is still eaten in portion mostly. But, our body starts acting positively once we quit the bad stuff.
That’s true. Thanks dear.
You’ve shared the most important point that people forget, ‘Know your body’.
Most people do not do that and blindly copy what others are doing, not pausing to realise if it is good for them or not.
Your resistence is very impressive. Very inspiring post, Geethica.
Thank you, Mayuri. It is just my personal experience that has helped me till here. It is important to accept that every body is different.