I have read numerous articles that promise miraculous weight loss. Some require me to exercise for just twenty minutes a day for twelve weeks and I can lose up to 18 pounds and 4 inches. Others tell me things that I should include in my diet to achieve the figure of my dreams. My magazine rack can be divided into two sections. One, on magazines about weight loss through exercise and the other section on magazines that promised weight loss through good nutrition.
I’ll never know if any of this works though. I have never been successful in following a twelve week plan. So every Sunday night I get motivated and set my alarm half an hour before my usual time. This extra half hour is my allotted time on the treadmill. The alarm, of course, goes off every morning. There is a feature called snooze which is extremely convenient and a huge setback for all of us who want to lose weight. Every week I have a new plan to lose weight the ‘easy’ way.
Last week I took the last step towards fitness. I fired my maid. Through no fault of his own and without exchanging bitter words, I let my assistant go. I decided, if I want to lose weight, now is the time. A maid is the most essential member in an Indian household. She can be one of two types, a live-in helper or a part-time helper. She cleans the house, washes the utensils, and scrubs the bathroom floors. In some homes, she even loads the washer and unloads the dryer. Therefore, she is an absolutely indispensable member of the family. Letting her go was a big decision. I tightened my belt and prepared myself for the day. I didn’t have the guts to tell my husband because he knew he would gape at me in disbelief. To be frank, I didn’t believe me either. I spent a sleepless night tossing and turning trying to figure out how I was going to complete all the tasks. I think I lost a few calories that night. My morning began by sweeping the house with a broom. I had never paid attention to the weight of a broom before this and made a mental note to get one that was easier on my arms. It took me about twenty minutes to sweep the entire house. It seemed like a good time to take a break when my doorbell rang. My servant had returned to return a container she had borrowed. As soon as I saw her, all my determination to lose weight flew out the window and I pulled her inside. These days I have a dazed smile on my face as she does her work around the house. I make an extra cup of tea for her and mentally thank her every day for coming to work. I have to think of another easy way to lose weight now.
So today I woke up determined to eat less. It sure should be easier than housework. I started my day with a banana and moved on to a papaya after an hour. I was hungry again in an hour and decided to calm my hunger by drinking two glasses of water. I was busy with my chores and playing with my little daughter. By her afternoon nap time I was famous and my body craved cheese. All I could see in front of me was dancing cheese sandwiches. As soon as my daughter fell asleep, I ran into the kitchen and made myself two cheese sandwiches. I knew right then that I had lost another easy way to lose weight.
Now I have a new resolution. I will collect all the magazines I have bought over a period of time and map out an exercise regimen for myself. However, I wish these magazines would be a little more honest and not label this as “the easy way to lose weight.” Because losing weight is not an easy task and there are no shortcuts.