23-Aug-2020 12:00 AM
1878
I had gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy. And post-baby I had a flabby belly which looked like a Mother’s Apron. The flap of skin which overhung my incision embarrassed me every time I saw myself in the mirror. It looked like I had only put on weight on my bump. I could no longer fit into the size M dresses and had to settle for size XXL to hide the post-baby belly. I continued nursing my daughter for two years but even that did not help. All my life I had a flat belly and this physical change made me feel down in the dumps. I had given up the hope of ever fitting into my jeans or going back to my normal shape, until one day I met the nosy aunty.
She was the gossipmonger of our society and enjoyed discussing other people’s private lives. The gossip queen had just returned from the US after celebrating her grandson’s birthday.
One afternoon she came to visit us with her latest update on what was happening in the locality. She was an uninvited guest who always invaded our house without prior information. She entered with a big smile and hugged my little daughter. MIL was not at home and even I was not too warm and welcoming. I asked the maid to get her some snacks and coffee thinking that she would have them and leave early. But she was unstoppable. In the middle of her sugary talk, as she lifted her cup of coffee and raised it to her lips, she looked at my belly and inquisitively asked “Beta which month of pregnancy?” That was a pretty jaw-dropping remark. She had made me her victim by bombarding the most annoying question. I faked a smile and told her that the overhanging belly was a pregnancy gift which I got after C/S.
This incidence was enough for me to start thinking about getting rid of the overhang which was now driving me bonkers. Dieting was never my choice and I was so busy with my daughter that I hardly had any time to join the gym. I felt screwed up. But soon I realized there was no point in making excuses as it was making my life miserable.
I started waking up early in the morning, to carve out time to yoga work out at home, and went out for a walk in the evening. I concentrated on eating good food, having good sleep, and exercising consistently. I knew I had to hang in there because it was quite a weighty issue.
In about six months I could feel the difference and the outcome of a healthy lifestyle was outstanding. I did not have a completely flat belly but it was near-normal. Though I could not fit into my old clothes, but the XXL shrank to L and I was happy with that. I felt fit and confident about my toned body and all in a healthy way.
Slowly catch the monkey as they say and yes it’s true if you are determined.