Monday, September 30, 2013

My Date with a Diet Chart


It's not like anybody told me that I was gaining weight. I figured it out myself. How, you ask me? Can't really explain; I am a little conscious of my weight, and I could just feel the extra pounds. I grew up with a chubby family member(who has now managed to shed it all), resolving not to let myself grow fat. After a certain age, it is almost impossible to stop those weighing scales from touching the number you dread. I did take measures now and then - yoga and jogging mostly. But this time, I realized that I no longer had the discipline for exercise (marriage!). I needed something that would work fast. You must be thinking that I am a wanna-be-super-thin-babe, but trust me, I love eating and I don't think I will ever give that up. However, I couldn't let myself bloat up, no! I had to draw the line somewhere. Moreover, this was a matter of just 7 days - a week! How difficult could the GM diet be? So I thought - let's give it a try. I knew my hubby would be mad, so I decided to hide something from him for the first time, at least for a few days.

Day 1 - Fruits only
Trouble resisting the delicious smell of Maggi while driving to office (remember, one week only!). Trying to suppress my hunger with water as mentioned in the diet chart. Doesn't work much. I will survive. 6 more days to go. Fruits not bad.

Day 2 - Veggies only
Already feeling a little weightless. I learn how to make vinaigrette! My baked sweet potato is bitter, but I eat it with a firm resolution. Used to love broccoli. Don't think I'll eat it again, after consuming the boiled version. Light-headed and hungry to bed. At least 4 litres of water today.

Day 3 - Fruits and Veggies
Having trouble getting off my bed. Feeling weak and dizzy. Stomach upset. Feverish. Cannot go to work. I stick to my diet though, and sleep a lot. I wonder how I could get dehydrated, seeing the amount of water I drank on day 2.

Day 4 - Banana, Milk and Veg Soup
Better today. Fresh, energized (could be weekend effect). Never made soup before, but it tastes good. Cheerful and active. I clean the entire house, wash a lot of clothes, and go grocery shopping. Looks like I have lost a few pounds. Happy happy.

Day 5 - Chicken and Soup
Energy level lower than day 4, but not bad. Reading and watching TV today. Bro loves my baked chicken and soup. I should try it again sometime. I cheat a little, by eating a slice of brown bread in the evening. I guess that much is allowed!

Day 6 - Chicken and Veggies
Not liking it. Weak again. Should I tell hubby? Not with just another day to go! I divert myself with office work and chatting with my colleagues. Learning to make another chicken baked dish. Veggies are tolerable today, and I get to eat a burger for dinner.

Day 7 - Veggies, Fruits and Brown Rice
Kinda bored of the diet, but quite upbeat (last day!). Fruits are good as always. Don't like the brown rice. Veggies are boring again. Thinking of the yummy things I can eat tomorrow.

Pros? I feel detoxified, I did manage to lose just the right amount of weight, and learned a lot of new recipes. I got into the habit of drinking a lot of water, and the diet reduced my appetite to prevent further destruction! I've started appreciating the importance of fruits in my daily diet, and resolve to eat one everyday.

As for the cons, I think dieting made me quite weak on some days. I might have eaten too less; couldn't help it, some things just weren't eatable. I did drink lots of water everyday, but I am a rice-lover, and my body might have found it difficult to adjust to the new intake. I would definitely not recommend this diet to people who have a weak immune system. I thought mine was pretty strong!

My biggest challenge was to suppress my craving for delicious food, especially when the aroma hit my nose. So, I taught myself to benefit from it. Instead of allowing the smell to make me hungry, I would savour it and convince myself that it filled my tummy. Sad, eh? Believe me, it worked. Although I don't know if I will try the GM diet again, there's one thing I know for sure. It's time to tell hubby now!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Need Some Help?

Well friends, what can I say? This is my job, and I love it!

Hello my dear friend, if you need
Some assistance, please let me lead
With messages, documents, illustrations that say-
"I strive to support you in every way."

My work isn't easy, maybe not too hard;
To ask the right questions is a good start;
With folks numerous I have to deal,
And follow the rules of grammar with zeal.

With text of lengths long and small,
I juggle to enlighten not one but all;
Writings that explain features very big,
Information accurate I toil to dig.

Commas and full-stops prepare to wage
A war against me, page after page;
Articles and prepositions- their faithful allies
Hide in each corner with a nasty surprise.

English and German, French and Chinese,
Some languages are hard, some put me at ease,
Yet, without a grumble, I translate
Every word of help present on your plate.

"Any further queries?" I do not fail to ask;
Forever ready to improve every task;
The next time you are puzzled by a screen,
To aid you, I would always be keen.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Till The Shores


So I was sitting in my room, chatting with one of my dear friends on a cool and breezy Friday night. This simply was the ideal song to listen to- calm and soulful. I couldn't help but translate it.



"Saahil Tak" from Coke Studio @ MTV Season 2
Nitin Sawhney feat. Papon & Ashwin Srinivasan

Till The Shores

Hold the helm a little while,
Let my boat be steady;
You are the ferryman;
Ferry the storm away.

Bind me in your sight
To resurrect my life,
That I may tell these troubles
To turn their backs on me.

Sing me a lullaby, O boatman,
Take me to the sweetest slumber,
And before the day dawns,
Bring my shores nearer to me!