I am a Project!!
By: Phyllis Farias
Tags: Parenting, Teaching, Children, Schools, Learning And Development

I had written this blog during Lockdown 2020. It went into cold storage and remained in the folder of Blog Ideas. In Karnataka we are back in a partial lockdown and the weekend is a copy of the earlier stringent lockdown, I decided it’s (the blog’s) time has arrived, especially as the situation all around is so grim. I hope it will bring a smile to your face, definitely at my expense. So here it is:

APRIL — MAY 2020

I am a project!

I happened to tell my husband that I had lost 3kgs of weight in the first month of the lockdown. He quickly caught on and that’s how I became a project.

Every project has to have a plan.

Objective:

To be a slimmer, healthier version of myself.

Specific Aims:

To reduce weight from 73kgs to 63kgs. Sounds realistic but still about 6kgs more than the ideal weight for my height. I don’t want to look like a shrivelled up prune. To fit into clothes I have set apart as motivation. XXL size to come down to XL and then L. Expecting M, I think will be too much. To reduce stress and pain on my weight bearing joints in order to be more agile.

Tools:

Weighing scale, mirror, smaller sized clothes from a decade ago. Videos by Rujuta Diwekar and Luke Coutinho — only the best for me!!

Methodology:

Work very hard in the house, sweeping, dusting, washing vessels and drying them; cooking, putting clothes out to dry and bringing them back. Watering the plants and what have you! Keep the aims in mind even if feeling tired Eat small portions. No snacking in between Have fruits and vegetables. Use positive affirmations Exercise every day. About 20 minutes in the morning and an hour in the evening. Check weight on a regular basis. There are different opinions on whether one must check ones weight every day.

Now I must tell you about my weighing scale. Either it is temperamental or very sensitive to floor levels. Within seconds I can get different readings at ‘six inch’ differences of places on the floor. So in the beginning I would feel quite pleased by taking the lowest reading. However, I felt like a cheat — so now I sort of take an average without resorting to a calculator.

Assessment:

At the end of Lockdown 4 my weight is now in the range of 67kgs — still a long way to go. I am not discouraged, it can be done. My size has come to L which I think is great. So I have toned up. My trousers are quite loose. I can fit into some of the clothes that I had set aside. My arms are the problem My knees are much better. Not creaking as much as earlier.

Reflection:

Earlier, I thought my weight would not budge from the 72/ 73kgs. Now, I know that I was not doing things right. It is possible to lose weight with discipline and routine. Take pushing and a reminder in the right spirit — for the project has to be accomplished. I can keep away from snacking.

APRIL 2021

Reassessment

Weight has gone up to about 68 kgs, not touched 69 but if I am not careful it will slowly creep up there. Not good at all. I have been debating whether to blame hereditary factors for it!

Discovered that my weighing scale was doing an honest job. How and where I stand on it is the issue.

My knees can be stiff and painful on certain days. (Could it be dietary?) Getting out of bed is difficult unless I do some stretches and that is really difficult with a full bladder! Tricky situation that needs some innovative thinking.

The clothes that I could fit into are a little bit of a struggle now.

Reflection

With the maids coming back, much of the physical work I used to do has stopped. Should I take back some of it or create something new?

Trying out new dishes is not a very good idea if the objective is to lose weight. How stupid can I be, I should be trying out healthy dishes!

Determination and perseverance can be hijacked with the right ingredients and excuses.

The Project has failed!

Suggestions are welcome!