We asked Get Ahead readers to share their stories of weight loss with us. Here, Kunal Mehta, a 24-year-old computer engineer, tells us how he managed to control his weight:
I have noticed that weight often becomes an issue for IT professionals who move to the US or UK on work for a few months or years. I faced a similar problem when I moved to the UK in January this year.
The UK is without a doubt a fantastic place to be in, if you can cope up with the ever changing climate and food.
For the first four months, I didn't cook once at home. Everything I ate came was store bought and I had no fixed diet. From burgers to pizza, bread and butter to jam slices, juices, garlic bread, chips and sodas I'd relish it all.
As the months went by, I noticed my trousers and baggy jeans getting tighter. When I finally did weigh myself, I found I had touched 73 kilos from my original weight of 67. The shock was all I needed to bid adieu to Pizza Hut and McDonald's.
I wasn't the best of chef but I began cooking for myself. Though it wasn't easy, I found that it helped control my diet and weight. I then adopted a programme to get me back on the road to fitness. Here's what I did:
~ I joined the gym and ran\ jogged\ walked\ cycled (7.5 kms each) for five days a week) with no heavy weight exercises. That was the most tiresome part but it was the most effective. I'd also get up early and practise some yoga exercises for 15-20 minutes to reduce the flab on my abdomen.
~ I stayed away from junk food and went back to good old roti and dal; eating less than required but not starving myself. I'd have three fixed meals and a lot of water.
~ For breakfast, it was hot milk with cereal or cornflakes. I'd avoid bread as far as possible.
~ Lunch would be yoghurt with dry vegetables or a dal (pulses) with roti.
~ I broke the habit of snacking on biscuits and sweets when I returned from work, and would carry some fruit with me to office for a healthy snack.
~ Dinner would be chapattis with dal along with lots of salad.
~ Avoid sitting for long durations in front of the computer. If your job requires it, make sure to move around for a few minutes after every hour. If time permits, take up a sport as well.
For those of you looking to lose weight, here are some rules to follow:
~ Do not check your weight everyday. Everything takes time. Give yourself at least two months to notice a substantial difference.
~ Make sure you do not eat just for the sake of eating. Instead, enjoy your food and be aware of what you eat.
~ If things aren't going your way, don't change your direction; you just might need a little more time.
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Were you once overweight? How did you manage to drop the excess baggage? Email your contributions to howilostweight@rediffmail.com, along with your name, age, occupation, contact details, and photographs of yourself both before and after your weight loss. We'll publish the best entries right here on Get Ahead.
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