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Day 1 of My Journey

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My Weight Loss Journey Begins. Then and now!

A year ago, I stood at a crossroads. Weighing over 100 kilograms, I knew something had to change. It wasn’t just about the numbers on the scale—it was about reclaiming control over my health and well-being. This is the story of how my journey began, a journey that has transformed not just my body, but my entire approach to life. Welcome to Day 1.

Facing Reality: The Start of My Transformation

Looking back at old photos, it’s almost surreal to see how far I’ve come. Those images are a stark reminder of the long, often challenging road I’ve travelled. But they also serve as proof that change is possible, and that it starts with a single, determined step.

My journey kicked off with a strict, two-week liquid diet—more accurately, a detox. Designed by my nutritionist, this plan was meant to give my body a fresh start and provide my stomach with a much-needed break. I was both nervous and excited, knowing that this was my chance to reset.

Going Rogue: Making the Plan My Own

Those first two weeks were transformative. I felt lighter, more energetic, and more in tune with my body. Encouraged by these changes, I decided to extend the diet to a month. As the days turned into weeks, I found myself thriving on this regimen, and I continued it for two full months. Even now, a year later, this liquid diet remains my go-to whenever I need a detox or when my stomach needs a reset.

But let me be honest—I didn’t follow the plan to the letter. My nutritionist will tell you that I went rogue, and she’s right. I made adjustments that worked for me, turning the original plan into something uniquely my own. This was the first step in taking true ownership of my weight loss journey, and I believe it’s a critical lesson for anyone looking to make lasting changes.

A Healthy, Sustainable Approach to Weight Loss

My goal was simple: lose weight quickly but do it safely and sustainably. I wasn’t interested in extreme measures like starvation, dangerous medications, or surgery. My health is too precious, and life is too short to take unnecessary risks.

The Liquid Diet: Nourishment in Every Sip

The liquid diet I adopted wasn’t just about drinking juice or water all day. I made sure it included all the essential nutrients my body needed. My daily routine consisted of a smoothie for breakfast, a hearty bowl of soup for lunch, and another for dinner. Throughout the day, I kept myself hydrated with coffee, ginger lemon tea, lemon water, and coconut water—locally known as madafu.

This wasn’t a deprivation diet. My soups were rich in protein from meat, fish, or seafood, and packed with vegetables and spices. I made everything from scratch, ensuring that every ingredient was fresh and wholesome. This gave me complete control over what I was putting into my body, which I believe was key to my success.

Overcoming Challenges: The Power of Discipline

The first few days were the toughest. My body was used to solid foods, and the sudden shift to liquids was a shock. I drastically reduced my calorie intake, and both my body and mind had to adjust. But I pushed through, knowing that this initial discomfort was temporary. To help myself stay on track, I avoided social dining during that first month. It was a challenge, but it allowed me to build the discipline and resolve I needed to succeed.

Conclusion: The Importance of Taking the First Step

And that’s how my journey began—on Day 1, with a simple but powerful decision to take control of my health. Over the past year, I’ve learned so much, not just about weight loss, but about myself. The most important lesson? It all starts with that first step.

If you’re beginning your own journey, remember that it’s okay to make adjustments, to find what works best for you. This is your journey, and it’s yours to own. And while the path may be challenging, you don’t have to walk it alone. We can support each other, share our experiences, and make lasting, positive changes together.

If this story resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and share your own experiences or ask any questions you might have. If you’re looking for more inspiration and tips on health and wellness follow my journey on my Diet Tales podcast, https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-nw6y3-16d0784,  on Podbean.  Remember every big change begins with a single small step!

The New Normal!

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“The world is on a bumpy journey to a new destination and the new normal” Mohammed El Erian

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day. We were lamenting about our current plight (lockdown due to COVID,) and reminiscing about the way life used to be prior. When we had the “freedom to move around as we wished.

Then it occurred to me that I am not sure for many life was better, before COVID. For instance, my friend (I will call him John-not his real name), is a self-employed lawyer. His daily life entailed waking up at the crack of dawn. Hurriedly leaving the house in an effort to beat traffic on his way to work each day. Getting caught up in traffic anyway, and ending up sitting in that traffic, for at least1 to 2 hours. Many commuters had the same idea as John.

When he would eventually get to work, invariably his clients would show up late, even as much as an hour. The excuse? “Salaaala!, the traffic is so bad today!” This adjustment in time for the first meeting would have a snowball effect on all subsequent meetings, creating havoc on his schedule. 

Once the meetings began, John would be going from one meeting to the next. The rushed schedule meant that he barely had enough time to grab a decent meal (if you can call a meal on the go, decent). Frequently, after meetings, John would have to put in time in administrative time in his office. Often unable or unwilling to leave the office before 8 pm. 

John would leave town at the end of the day, hungry, and exhausted, only to find himself stuck in traffic again. This evening/night traffic was as a result of people like him, opting or forced to stay late in the office. They all had the same idea, leave later and avoid the rush hour traffic. After sitting in traffic for at least another hour or more, John would get home, beaten and beat down. His only recourse was to grab a bite and stumble into a bed, “looking forward” to the same again the next day.

Exciting right? This is what COVID has taken from many of us. How can we miss this hectic life that many of us saw as a normal life? Normal because it is how we have been conditioned. Not a healthy life and not sustainable in the long term. It is not surprising that stress and lifestyle diseases are on an upsurge in the world. 

With COVID forcing many of us to stay home as our new “normal”, I asked John how his work situation has been affected? His answer? As his movements are now restricted, and he is unable to go into work each day, John has had to adjust his life accordingly. All his face to face meetings have been replaced by online meetings (Zoom or Skype etc. ). He has also discovered that a lot of the “busy work” he was doing daily seems to have reduced.

His routine had changed significantly due to COVID. With the new lockdown, John wakes up daily and plans his meetings. He does have the allowance to go to work a few days a week but often opts not to. Embracing working online, including phone or internet meetings, he has discovered it is not necessary for him to leave his home as often as he used to.  

John does not wake up as early as before. When he does wake up early, he can use that time for his own leisure and in the comfort of his home. Not rushing and stuck in traffic. He now can take time to eat a proper breakfast before his workday begins. In lockdown, John can eat proper stress-free breakfast before his workday begins at 9 am.  John’s meals now are freshly cooked and healthier. A better option than the store-bought fast food that sustained him for years, due to little time and less choice, whilst in the “rat race”. John’s answer was encouraging giving hope for a better future

Meetings now seem to take less time. Clients seem to wast less time online with John and not face to face. There are also less distractions. With all the pro’s of lock down for John’s lifestyle, the most useful one is the time he saves with no cummute. He is able save as much as 2 to 4 hours each day which he can use to be more productive with work.

By 5/6 pm John can complete his workday. He is not too tired at the end of the day, and even has time and energy to exercise. Somthing he only did on the weekends, pre-COVID. John finds that he is not spend as much money and his stress levels have reduced. All in all, he was achieving a better work-life balance, a more sustainable way to live. 

Currently, John goes into the office when he absolutely must. Due to the lockdown, there is less traffic, and he can make it to the office or back home in 20 minutes. The online component of his work means that he does not go into the office often. Only when he must and for the shortest time possible. There is still his health to consider and increased exposure creates a higher possibility of infection.

Looking at life from the perspective of John’s new “normal” is it not better that we are restricted? Though not wished for, the “lockdown situation” has forced many of us to re-evaluate our lives. What the pros and cons of the old life versus this new one? Will it be possible to see a future after COVID and lockdown? A future where we make different decisions about how we value ourselves and our time? 

Time is a finite commodity and yet we spend at least half in pursuit of a “better” life. What is the point of that “better” life. This pursuit often leads to detririorating well being and increased stress. Increasing our chance of lifestyle diseases. We are at breaking point and until COVID could not see an alternative way. We were unable to see the forest for the trees?

What if we decided to value our time more? Pursue professional careers, yet, do it in a way that is not detrimental to our overall health and wellbeing. What if we reduce the time we spend commuting or even in physical offices? We only go to work when we absolutely must? What if we gave as much attention to our sleep, relaxation, eating as we do our pursuit for more wealth? What if we strived for a better work-life balance?

COVID has forced us all to stop and evaluate ourselves and the way we have been living. COVID lockdown has forced us to have an improved lifestyle. More time at home, less commute time, more controlled spending to name a few. Eating wholesome fresh home cooking. More time to relax. More time with our loved ones. Surely this is better for us in the long run? 

I am not saying we should stay locked down indefinitely. I am suggesting that we review critically all the positives in our current situations. Compare them objectively to the lives we lived before. Learn from this forced situation and pick a new “normal”. A new “normal” that will enhance our lifestyles in the future. After this, we don ‘t want to just live to work. We can work and we can live. We can manage both in balance, allowing us a healthier more balanced lifestyle. 

Thriving in these times!

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“Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.” J. Lynn

I took a walk today on the beach this morning at 6:30 am. I thought that it would be a good time to go for peace and the quiet of the early morn. A time to get in my exercise, while practising social distancing. Surprising, the beach was full of people. There usually are not that many people on the beach that early. 

Where was the prescribed l distancing? Not on this beach. They were all going against the current law. I did notice that many of them were young, probably teenagers, in small groups engaged in different activities. 

The tapestry of life that II witnessed, included several small groups. One group of young men involved in exercises. The group had assigned leaders showing them what to do with one of them assigned to record and point out the ones doing the exercises incorrectly.

Another group of youngsters were in the water swimming and egging each other on with different challenges. Yet another group were running together on the beach. A final group were tackling a makeshift obstacle course. This group came complete with spectators, some heckling, others encouraging the participants of the course. 

All the groups were all enjoying the beach and ocean, completely enthralled in their activities. I noted that there were very few women/ girls on the beach. Including myself, there were no more than 7. In contrast, there were easily 30-40 men and boys on the beach. 

The fishermen were there at their usual landing site, engaged in various activities. Some Fishermen were repairing nets under a tree. Some were cleaning their catch at the water’s edge. Another small group were preparing to go to sea in their Ngalaus'(wooden canoes) or on their surfboards.  This was just another day for the fishermen, fish to be caught, a livelihood to be sought!

It was a beautiful morning. A gentle breeze from the ocean. A clear blue sky adorned by the early morning sun. So camaraderie on that beach, it made me smile to observe it. Though they were all going against the current rules, their presence created an atmosphere full of laughter and joy!

Observing this, I began to focus on the positives of that morning. I was witnessing people making the most of the negative situation the whole world is in. People choosing to thrive in the strife we were all experiencing, subsequently choosing to get on with life! Finding joy in little things and enjoying the beautiful morning. I pray that they will not get sick. That they can continue to fish for their livelihood. The youngsters can exercise and laugh and enjoy each others company. Do all the things that make living in the now so fulfilling, amidst the current challenges.

I love that the youth can take advantage of their time out of school, to keep fit and be healthy. They seem not to know or possibly not care, that there is a pandemic that has stopped the world. Consequently disrupting the typical flow of their lives. They instead are focusing on living life to the fullest. Making the very best of a bad situation. watching them interact, made me feel good. I love the way they focus on how they feel, living actively, in the present. 

People are worried about the current situation. How long it will continue, and what will happen tomorrow. The whole world is at a standstill. It is refreshing then, to witness these young people making the best out an impossible situation. Too busy having fun, to worry or be depressed and sad about the current situation. It might help that they have the luxury not to worry as they have their elders to do that for them.

As much as I am a grown-up and worry is one of my responsibilities. I would rather be like the young people on that beach that morning. Enjoying what I can of the current situation. Actively seeking to look for positives in every situation, hence flourishing, despite all the negatives. It will play out no matter what I feel or want, so I choose to make the best of it. Use this time to grow and live, until it is over and we move beyond it. 

There is always a silver lining on every rain cloud. I want to focus on that silver lining. This will enable me to deal with the uncertainty of these times we are living in. Allow me to hope and hold on until tomorrow.

Not saying it is easy, but nothing worth it comes that easily. I am willing to adjust my mindset. I want to be like those young people on the beach. Living life to the fullest regardless of the situation. Seeing all the good in my current situation. Which in turn allows me to feel better about myself. Feel better about the world around me and the plight we all find ourselves in.