Weight Loss Does Not Guarantee Happiness

In 2023, the author found themselves at a crossroads, feeling lost and uncertain about how to proceed with their life. They worked in F&B and hospitality PR, which often involved hosting media events and trying everything on the menu. The author had also recently ended a long-term relationship with a personal trainer, during which they had weighed around 104 kilograms. Their doctors had warned them that they were approaching type 2 diabetes, and they felt like they had let their health slip too far.

One night, while scrolling through TikTok, the author came across a creator who said that every major redirection in life requires reprogramming your brain. This stuck with them, and they decided to make a change. They didn’t want to change because they felt inferior or because they were tired of being the “fat joke” amongst friends and family. They wanted to change because they couldn’t breathe properly, couldn’t sit for long periods without losing sensation in their legs, and were tired of being the butt of jokes.

Starting the Journey

The author decided to seek professional help and found a life coach and therapist. They started seeing them weekly and worked on changing their fundamental beliefs about themselves. The therapist encouraged them to get a personal trainer and focus on their health. The author started working on themselves.

However, not everyone was supportive of the author’s new lifestyle. A couple of friends even told the author they weren’t being very body positive, and that hurt. The author was hurt by these comments, but they knew they were making changes for their health, not because they hated themselves. They were finally taking care of themselves and prioritizing their well-being.

Challenges and Criticisms

The author faced criticism from South Asian aunties and uncles who had previously made jokes about their weight. When the author stopped eating their greasy biryani, they were suddenly accused of being “too obsessed” or having a disorder. The author realized that they couldn’t win everyone over and stopped trying to please others. They focused on their own journey and trusted the process.

It took the author three years to lose 50 kilograms, which was intentional. They accepted that this was a journey, not a quick fix. They reminded themselves that if they consistently ate in a calorie deficit and moved their body, change would come. They had to trust the process and be patient.

Lessons Learned

The author learned that losing weight quickly is not the goal. Extreme, rapid weight loss can lead to muscle loss, loose skin, and a miserable relationship with food. The author realized that the goal is not to lose weight quickly but to make sustainable lifestyle changes that can be maintained forever. They also learned that the mind needs to change before the body follows. The author had to start changing their thoughts and beliefs before their body started to transform.

The author became happier, more disciplined, and more protective of their peace. They learned to drown out the noise and focus on what healthy feels like for their own body and mind. They realized that making the most of their life doesn’t mean eating and drinking everything possible but keeping promises to themselves and living with discipline, integrity, and self-respect.

The author’s journey was not just about weight loss but about self-discovery and growth. They realized that they thought losing 50 kilograms would change their life. But in reality, they needed to change their life to lose the weight. They had to reprogram their brain, focus on their health, and prioritize their well-being.

Their transformation was a result of their hard work and dedication. The author’s life coach and therapist played a significant role in their journey, helping them to change their fundamental beliefs about themselves.

The author’s experience shows that losing weight is not just about the physical transformation, but also about the mental and emotional changes that come with it. They learned to trust the process and be patient, reminding themselves that consistent effort would lead to change.

The author’s weight loss journey was a long and challenging one, but it was also a transformative and rewarding experience. They learned valuable lessons about the importance of self-care, discipline, and self-respect.