30 OCT. 2012

I was feeling much better today but my throat still hurts and I have a problem swallowing. I was  hoping that the medicines I'm taking didn't make me feel sleepy during the day, at office...and they didn't.

I had to reach office at 9:30 a.m. for a meeting. So I had to get up exactly at 6:00 a.m. so that I could finish cooking, go for the walk, return, get ready, have breakfast and reach on time.

I'm proud to say that I did it...although I did hit the snooze button and woke up at 6:10 a.m. instead of 6:00 a.m. :)

Today cute grandpa returned to the park, in a completely different coloured shirt and trousers and looking quite fresh.

Report Card:

Walked 5.14 kms. today

Breakfast 8:20 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk

Tea 10:40 a.m.: 1 cup tea

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl tondli veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1/2 bowl daal, 2 bowls buttermilk, 4 slices cucumber

Tea 3:40 p.m.: 1/2 cup tea

Dinner 7:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl tondli veg, 1 guava, 1 slice dark chocolate

Slept at 11:30 p.m.

29 OCT. 2012

I had a terrible night. I was very uneasy all night but very sleepy as well. It was, I think, a combination of the lunch I had and the sore throat. As a result I was feeling very ill when I woke up. Still I forced myself to get ready to go for the walk. But I was still feeling ill and completely breathless. I decided not to go for the walk in the morning. I'd walk in the evening, I thought. Immediately on deciding this, I started feeling guilty and upset and felt like crying. So I called TH who had already left for his walk and asked him what I should do. He too told me  to go in the evening instead of morning. I still kept feeling guilty and upset, but physically it was just not possible to go for the walk. So I finally managed to convince myself that I'd go in the evening and it was no big deal and no need to be so upset.

So, I left office early, rushed home, gobbled dinner and went for the walk.

Report Card:

Walked 5.14 kms. today evening

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk

Tea 10:40 a.m.: 1 cup tea

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl raw tomato veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1/2 bowl daal, 4 slices cucumber

Tea 3:40 p.m.: 1/2 cup tea

Dinner 7:00 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl raw tomato veg
Kojagiri special 10:00 p.m.: 1 1/2 cup hot masala milk

Slept at 11:30 p.m.

28 OCT. 2012

Today was the rest day. So I woke up at 8:00 a.m. :)

After breakfast though, it didn't remain the rest day. TH and I have decided to slowly get rid of all extra and unwanted stuff that we have collected over the years. So from around 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. we were hard at work, The only good part of all that effort is that we are completely through with the kitchen. 

We've decided to 'go light' in terms of our physiques as well as our physical possessions :)

Report Card:

Walked 0 kms. today

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 big bowl pohe, 1 big cup of tea

Lunch 2:15 p.m.: 1 chicken tikka roll, 2 fish fingers, 3 slices of dark chocolate

Dinner 8:00 p.m.: 1 small bowl Kellogs Chocos with milk

Slept at 12:00 midnight.

The chicken tikka roll caused heartburn and acidity even though it wasn't spicy at all. Also I have a severe throat infection. I just didn't feel hungry and didn't feel like having dinner at all but that would not be good. So I had some cereal with milk. Turns out it was good that I did. The milk helped get the acidity in control.

27 OCT. 2012

Today too the cute grandpa didn't come. I hope he is alright. Yesterday itself, after the morning walk, I had decided to walk 7 kms. on Saturday. Since Sunday is the rest day, even if the 7 kms. proved to be strenuous, I could recuperate on Sunday. Also, the mid-week basundi indulgence and last night's idli binge provided very good motivation :)

Report Card:

Walked 7.07 kms. today

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Chocos with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl brinjal potato veg, 1 bowl tomato curd raita, 1 tsp onion-raw mango pickle
Dinner 6:30 p.m.: 8 small idlis with 3 tsp chatni and 1 big cup of tea

Slept at 12:00 midnight.

26 OCT. 2012

Today three things happened in the park when I went for the walk. Firstly the cute grandpa I have mentioned in one of the earlier posts did not come and I sort of missed him ! The second thing was that during the walk, at one point, without provocation, my mind threw up an unpleasant incident from very long ago but it had me choking back tears. It took a great deal of effort and a good five minutes to shake it off. Thirdly, as I was about to begin my second last round, this granny who comes daily, who wears a nine-yard saree and sports shoes and looks really cute, who was sitting on a bench, suddenly called out to me and when I went closer, said to me, "Chant the name of God. He is the one who takes care of the entire world and all of us in it. People are forgetting him. Just chant his name. There is no need to do anything more. Tell all at home too." I was nonplussed initially but then I smiled, listened to her and then continued with my walk.

Report Card:

Walked 5.62 kms. today + 1.41 kms. post lunch (A grand total of 7.03 kms !)

Breakfast 8:30 a.m.: 1 chapati with leftover tomato onion veg spread on it and grated cheese, blitzed in the microwave for a minute, 1 cup tea

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl dodka veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1 bowl tomato cucumber raita, 1 bowl veg soup

Tea 3:40 p.m.: 1/2 cup tea

Dinner 9:00 p.m.: 1 chapati with 1/2 bowl dodka veg, 5 small idlis, 3 slices of dark chocolate

Slept at 12:00 midnight

Today, after lunch, a friend in office asked me to accompany her to a bookstore nearby and I suggested we walk there. That was about 1.41 kms and so my tally went up to 7 kms.  :)

Since evening I was feeling an intense craving for idlis. I have no clue why ! I thought if I ignore it, it will go away. But it didn't. So much so that the first thing I did when I came home from office was to make idlis ! And I binged on them and later ate 3 slices of dark chocolate. An evening of sin, eh ? Well, I'll compensate for it...I'll have to ! :)

25 OCT. 2012

I woke up at 6:30 a.m. without any trouble. It seems I need at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

Report Card:

Walked 5.44 kms. today

Breakfast 8:30 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs chocos with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl tomato onion veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1 bowl veg soup, 1/2 bowl daal, 1 bowl buttermilk, 4 slices cucumber

Tea 3:40 p.m.: 1 cup tea

Snacks 5:40 p.m.: 3 idlis with 1 tsp chatni

Dinner 9:00 p.m.: 1 guava 

Slept at 11:30 p.m.

24 OCT. 2012

Today I woke up late. So I exercised on the stepper at Baba's place in the evening.

Report Card:

Walked 5.16 kms. today on the stepper

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 6 small idlis with 1 tsp. of chatni

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl cabbage veg, 1/2 wat daal, 3 bowls basundi

Tea 5:30 p.m.: 1 cup tea

Dinner 9:00 p.m.: 1 chapati lined with a 1 egg omelette and stuffed with boiled chicken pieces. 

Today being Dasara, I also ate 1 kaju katli slice at about 10:30 a.m.

Slept at 11:30 p.m.

I have strayed from the food control today. I must compensate somehow with more exercise in this week.

23 OCT. 2012

Today the exercise seemed a bit heavier than usual. Nonetheless I did over 5 kms. as decided.

Report Card:

Walked 5.38 kms. today

Breakfast 8:40 a.m.: 1 bowl Kelloggs Wheat Bran with milk

Lunch 2:30 p.m.: 1 onion uttappa, 1 tall glass mosambi juice

Dinner 7:45 p.m.: 1 big bowl daliya upama with tomato, onion and green peas

Slept from 9:45 p.m. to 10:10 p.m. and then at 12:30 a.m.

I wonder why I feel so sleepy so early on some days. Today I did the passport renewal document submission and felt very tired for the remainder of the day.

22 OCT. 2012

Today I was feeling particularly upbeat during the walk. I don't know why. Oh wait ! I lost another kilo...that's why :)

Report Card:

Walked 5.42 kms. today

Breakfast 8:30 a.m.: 1 bowl Kelloggs Special K with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl cabbage veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1/4 bowl daal, 1/2 bowl veg soup, 4 slices cucumber 

Tea 3:45 p.m.: 1 cup tea

Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl cabbage veg, 1 guava

Slept at 12:00 midnight

The weather was magnificent. It was a bit cloudy. There was a pleasant cool breeze. It was such a pleasure to walk today.

21 OCT. 2012

Today, being the rest day, I did not go for the walk. I woke up at 9:00 a.m. Strangely, I didn't feel too happy to skip the walk. I did feel happy to sleep till 9:00 a.m. though :)

Report Card:

Walked 0 kms. today

Breakfast 9:30 a.m.: 1 bowl Kelloggs Special K with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 1 plate appe, 1 plate sabudana wada, 1 Chocolate Avalanche 

Tea 5:30 p.m.: 1 cup tea

Slept at 12:30 a.m.

Today being Aai's birthday, I had a heavy lunch outside followed by a delicious dessert. I was so full that I could not have dinner. I did drink tea though, to help myself feel fresh. I'll have to work harder to wash off the chocolate sin !

20 OCT. 2012

Today being Saturday, I didn't have to go to work. So we booked tickets for a morning show of a film. That  meant getting up early and going for the walk so that I could return in time, get ready and leave at 8:45 a.m. for the show. I could do that despite having slept late last night. I felt relieved. I also was a little worried what sleeping late would do to the quality of the exercise. Thankfully, the exercise wasn't affected at all :) Today, since I had not cooked before going for the walk and the body wasn't warmed up, I walked the first two rounds at a slow pace and then increased speed. I think that works well. 

Report Card:

Walked 5.30 kms. today (+ 0.45 kms. in the evening)

Breakfast 8:15 a.m.: 1 bowl Kelloggs Special K with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 1 Chicken Satellite sizzler = cooked and roasted chicken pieces, boiled carrots cauliflower tomato mushroom spinach french beans cabbage, some french fries - all in mushroom sauce

Dinner 8:00 p.m.: 1 plate set dosa, 1 plate appams shared (= 2 appams), 1 cup filter coffee 

Slept at 12:00 midnight

Today, during the walk I had observed one grandpa who was walking fast but with a slight limp and he was wearing an over-sized shirt. I wondered if he had lost weight by walking here or was this shirt many years old and at the time grandpa was that size. Later I forgot about this. During my second-last round, when I was passing this grandpa, he suddenly started talking to me and asked me how many rounds I did each day. Then he told me how many he did and we briefly spoke about how it is better to walk in the park than on the roads. Then I went ahead. Then as I was finishing my last round and walking towards the exit of the park, another compact little grandpa, shorter than me, perhaps even fitter than me, definitely leaner than me, who was also about to leave the park, turned around and asked me how many rounds I did each day. When I told him that I didn't count, but I tried to walk 5 kms. each day, he gave me a very warm smile and made a thumbs-up gesture and said, "Very good ! Very good ! I see you every day" and then we both left and went our different ways. Both these encounters made me feel so warm and pleasant. It made my exercise morning so much better :)

19 OCT. 2012

Today I left home quite late. I only had 50 minutes available for walking. So I decided to walk as many kilometres as that would allow. So I went to the park and walked and didn't look at the pedometer even once. At the end of 50 minutes, when I walked out, I checked the pedometer I saw I had done 4.73 kms. I regretted not doing that one round more which would have completed 5 kms. So on returning home, I took the 3 flights of stairs up to my home instead of the lift (elevator). Even these little things make me proud of myself. 

Today I didn't find my rhythm till I was 30 minutes into the walk. I started thinking why and I realised that when I am thinking, looking inward, I quickly find my rhythm. If I am not, I'm looking outward, I notice a hundred different things and I don't find my rhythm.

Report Card:

Walked 4.73 kms. today


Ate 1/2 rawa ladoo before going for the walk

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 chapati with melted cheese spread on it and another with blue cheese, 1 cup tea
Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl potatoes and peas veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1/2 bowl salad
Tea 3:45 p.m.: 1 cup tea
Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/4 bowl potatoes and peas veg, 10-15 boiled peanuts, 1 guava

Slept at 12:00 midnight

It seems that the sleepiness was a phase since I had no trouble staying up till 12:00 midnight !

There is this reaaallly cute grandpa who comes to the park each day. He is about 5-1/2 feet tall, in decent shape and has a calm look on his face. He wears dark brown trousers, a light yellow shirt, sports shoes, old style black glares and a lovely black hat ! There is this little section adjoining the walking track where there are swings, a slide and a jungle-gym. This grandpa stands next to the jungle-gym in a small corner and does his daily exercise...which essentially is a whole lot of stretches and includes a bowling action as well :) When he is done with all of it, about 45 minutes to an hour after he begins, he walks about half a round on the walking track. Then he starts walking backwards. He walks very carefully and very slowly. That is when he seems the cutest to me. I love that such an old man is determined to stay fit, has configured his exercise routine and does it diligently. Most of all, I love his fabulous black hat and how he wears it with style :)

18 OCT. 2012

This whole week's been a struggle. Today was a bit better. I cooked first and then went for the walk. For the first 10 minutes approximately, I was feeling some strain in different parts of my legs. Then I settled into a rhythm and then it was OK. Also, today, the first time I checked the pedometer was after 45 minutes of walking and by that time I had done 4.50 kms. So it felt very good. I was enthusiastic about continuing for another 15 minutes.

Report Card:

Walked 5.28 kms. today

Ate 1 coffee chocolate before going for the walk

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 bowl upama, 1 cup tea

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl simla mirchi + corn veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 4 slices cucumber, 2 bowl buttermilk
Tea 3:45 p.m.: 1 cup tea
Snacks 5:30 p.m.: 2 fistfuls saleechya lahya
Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl simla mirchi + corn veg

Slept at 11:00 p.m. (Actually, I had been feeling sleepy since 9:45 p.m. !)

Today onwards, I'm going to write about the people I see in the park each day and think about. 

So, today I'm going to write about these two boys, aged about 20-25 years, who come to the park daily. They are already there when I reach and they are still there when I leave. They are reed thin. The funny part is they just sit on a bench and watch people walk/run/exercise. They listen to songs or fiddle with their cell phones. They don't do a thing ! I wonder why they come. Well actually, it is very pleasant in the park in the morning, but I wonder about what they do and who they are...how come they have all this time in the morning to do nothing.

Walking in the park is the best time to think, I have discovered :)

17 OCT. 2012

While walking today I was wondering why, since Monday, I have been feeling a strain while exercising. I didn't feel a strain last week. Actually the first week should be difficult and the second week onward it should start getting easier. So I started thinking what was different this week. Suddenly I realised that last week, I would cook first and then go for the walk while this week I go for the walk as soon as I get up and cook on returning. So perhaps my body isn't warmed up enough and hence is resisting. So, tomorrow onward I'll cook first and then go for the walk. Let's see if that makes it better.

Report Card:

Walked 5.58 kms.

Breakfast 8:30 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk, 1/2 rawa ladoo
Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl kobi veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1/2 boiled egg with curry, 4 slices cucumber, 2 bowls buttermilk
Tea 3:40 p.m.: 1 cup tea
Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl kobi veg, 2 fistfuls roasted peanuts, 1 guava

Sleep at 11:30 p.m.

Today again I felt sleepy since 9:45 p.m. But I stayed up till 11:30 p.m. I don't understand. The exercise and food patterns are the same as last week. Yet why am I tired / sleepy so early ?

16 OCT. 2012

Today again I faced a struggle. Getting up, going for the walk, the walk itself...all of it was a struggle. I am flummoxed. I can't understand why ! I got 9 1/2 hours of sleep last night, I adhered to the food rules. Maybe its the infection. But I don't like this one bit :(

This evening in office, there were bhajis for snacks. I didn't eat even one. I took some mental control because I love deep fried stuff. So I'm proud of myself.

Report card:

Walked 4.66 kms.

Breakfast 8:30 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl bhendi veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 1/2 bowl clear manchow soup, 4 slices cucumber

Tea 3:30 p.m.: 1 cup tea

Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl bhendi veg, 1 small guava

Slept at 11:30 p.m.

15 OCT. 2012

Today I faced some struggle getting up. I knew that I would not skip exercise, but it was difficult to get up and go for the walk today. I have been sleeping late for the last three nights and that took a toll today, I guess. Today the walk too felt heavier. I must sleep on time each night.

Report card:

Walked 5.23 kms.

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl cauliflower carrot bean mixed veg, 1/2 bowl assorted veg, 4 slices cucumber, 1 bowl buttermilk

Tea 4:00 p.m.: 1 cup tea

Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 1/2 bowl cauliflower carrot bean mixed veg, 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk

Slept at 9:30 p.m.

I was feeling so tired and sleepy that I just couldn't keep my eyes open beyond 9:30 p.m. I also have a slight tooth infection. Maybe that is the cause for this tiredness.

Oh, by the way, here is yesterday's excuse for sleeping late. :)

14 OCT. 2012

Yesterday I had gone to see a play and it was wonderful and terrific and fabulous and all those good things. I was very entertained and very pleased when I returned home.

However, the only not-good thing about it was that it started at 9:30 p.m. and finished at 12 midnight. By the time I met all friends in the play and those who had come to watch and came home, it was 1:00 a.m. and I slept at 1:30 a.m.

But, here's a good thing...I didn't go to sleep dreading today morning and the exercise. I just knew that I would do it !

So, I did go to the walk and here is the report card:

Walked 5.64 kms.

Breakfast 9:15 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk, 1 slice of Banana Walnut cake

Lunch 2:00 p.m.: 3 small phulkas, 1/2 bowl matar usal, 1/2 bowl moong dal, 2 veg cutlets, 1 slice chocolate
Tea 4:00 p.m.: 1 cup tea
Tea 7:00 p.m.: 1 cup tea

Dinner 9:00 p.m.: 1 big bowl of bhaji out of non-spicy paav-bhaaji. Did not eat paav.
Slept at 12:30 a.m.

Guess what ? Today being Sunday, I decided to check my weight. Wonder of wonders ! I have lost 1 kilo ! Can't stop grinning :D

13 OCT. 2012

Today something amazing happened.

When I woke up this morning at 6:30, I discovered that there was no water on any tap in the entire house. There was just some in one bucket to barely suffice for brushing my teeth. I had a workshop at 10:30. I had planned that today I would go for the walk as soon as I got up, then on returning make some notes for the workshop, bathe, get dressed and go. This no-water thing threw a spanner in the works, and as I discovered later, it was TH's and my negligence in reading the notice board that caused this situation. The society had announced in advance that the water tanks would be cleaned today and hence all water would be drained out and we were advised to fill up water at home. Neither TH nor I read this notice. TH went off out of town for his shows yesterday afternoon and will be back on Sunday. So yours truly woke up to a no-water situation. No, this is not the amazing thing I mentioned earlier :)

So, at times like these it pays to stay within 10 minutes driving distance of your parents. So I just took off and went to my parents' place to bathe and have breakfast. No, neither is this the amazing thing I mentioned before.

The only problem in this plan was, it would not leave me any time for the walk. I had other commitments in the evening. That meant no exercise today. So here's the amazing thing. I actually got angry that I would not be able to do my precious exercise today ! All the way to my parents' place I cursed myself for not having read the notice board. When I reached, Dad looked at me and immediately asked, "What's the matter ?" Right away I raved and ranted :) He had a solution for it ! I had forgotten that Dad exercise daily on a Stepper...they have one at home ! I was so happy to know it.

So today, instead of walking, I exercised on the Stepper. I did use the pedometer to see if it recorded the steps. It did. It also showed how many kilometres those steps would make. I know that while calculating the kilometres while walking, it counts the steps and the calculates on the basis of my standard distance between steps. Today, the standard distance may not have been the same, but I think the effort was greater because at the end of the workout I was sweating much more profusely than when I walk. So I'm going to record those kilometres. :)

Report card:


Walked 4.09 kms.

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 cup tea, 1 paratha without oil

Lunch 2:30 p.m.: 3 jowar bhakris with a blob of white butter, 1 slice of dark chocolate

Dinner 7:30 p.m.: 2 idlis with big bowl of rasam, 2 tablespoons jeera rice

Slept at 1:30 a.m.

I am terribly pleased that my mindset is rapidly changing to become pro-fitness...I got angry that I couldn't exercise...I was pleased to find that I could...that is something for somebody who didn't like exercise at all ! 

I was telling my Mom and I truly believe that this is not a temporary, flash in the pan thing. It is a permanent change. I'm determined to make it permanent, if it isn't ! :)

12 OCT. 2012

Today I had no problem getting up. This is definitely a first !

What I have discovered is that I find it difficult to get up and right away go for the walk or to the gym. So what I did yesterday as well as today was that I woke up early and cooked lunch first. So by the time that was done, I was wide awake or energized or whatever and felt like going for the walk.

Today I reached the park just a couple of minutes later than yesterday but it was much hotter. Nonetheless, I was feeling more energetic than yesterday. I had a good time walking.

Report card:

Walked 5.05 kms.

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl green peas usal, 1/4 bowl kofta curry, 1/4 bowl assorted veg

Tea 3:30 p.m.: 1 cup
Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 1 guava, 1/2 bowl Kellogs Special K with milk

Slept at 11:30 p.m.

11 OCT. 2012

Since I slept at 12:30 a.m. last night, I knew I'd have a hard time getting up today. More so since I had skipped the exercise yesterday and had decided to move it from evening to morning.

As expected when the alarm went off at 6:00 a.m., that very familiar old feeling of "not today, I'll go tomorrow" crept up on me and I hit the snooze button. But, wonder of wonders, 10 minutes later I was up and telling wanting to go for the walk. This has never happened before. I always had to coax / scold myself into going. Today was a refreshing change as much as a big surprise.

So I got up and went for the exercise. I had decided that I would not be over-ambitious. So I walked at an even pace and not too fast.

So here's the report card:

Walked 3.74 kms.

Breakfast 9:00 a.m.: 2-egg frittata with corn, coriander and mozzarella cheese

Lunch 1:15 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl kulith usal, 1/4 bowl potato veg, 1/4 bowl assorted veg, 1 bowl clear soup

Tea 3:30 p.m.: 1 cup

Dinner 8:30 p.m.: 2 chapati, 1/2 bowl kulith usal

Slept at 12:00 midnight

Food was definitely better than yesterday but I must sleep on time. That goal is not being met.

I think (and hope) that something has radically changed inside me. I will no longer shirk exercise.

Looking forward to going for the walk tomorrow. 

10 OCT. 2012

Today was interesting. I was feeling very relaxed in my mind since I had decided yesterday that I would skip the exercise today instead of Sunday since I had been over-zealous yesterday. I ate well all day. And then came dinner and suddenly I found myself succumbing. So it's kind of like a double crime. I didn't exercise and I broke an unwritten food rule and a written one as well. 

So here's what I did and ate:

Walked 0 kms

Breakfast 8:30 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K cereal with milkLunch 12:45 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl cauliflower veg, 1/4 bowl assorted veg, 1/4 bowl rice, 4 slices cucumberEvening snack 5:30 p.m.: 1 dateDinner 8:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl cauliflower veg, 2 fistfuls of peanuts (some boiled and some roasted), 1 coffee chocolate
Slept at 12:30 a.m.

After all of this I am dreading tomorrow. In all my earlier bouts of fitness, skipping a day always meant skipping the next day and the day after that and so on so forth.

Fingers crossed.

9 OCT. 2012

I achieved the food goal; Somehow I felt very hungry mid morning as well as around tea time. So at both those times I are a fistful of 'saleechya laahya' (puffed jowar flakes, I think).

I rushed through all work at office at a mad speed, drove home quickly, gobbled down dinner and rushed to the park for the walk and walked for 4.33 kms. I was drenched in sweat at the end of it. Today it was very difficult. My periods started  this morning and today was just the second day of my exercise. I ought to have taken it easy. Instead, what did I do ? I walked more than yesterday, at a faster speed !

Naturally, when I reached home, I barely managed to do a couple of light tasks, like putting away the washed dishes and dried clothes, after which I literally slumped to the ground in the drawing room and got up only to go to the bedroom to sleep.

So here's the record:

Walked 4.33 kms

Breakfast 8:00 a.m.: 1 bowl Kellogs Special K cereal with milk

Mid-morning 11:45 a.m.: 1 fistful saleechya laahya

Lunch 1:00 p.m.: 2 chapatis, 1/2 bowl tondli veg, 1/4 bowl green bell pepper veg, 1 bowl clear soup, 1 bowl buttermilk

Evening snack 5:00 p.m.: 1 fistful saleechya laahya

Dinner 7:30 p.m.: 1 chapati, 1/2 bowl tondli veg

Slept at 11:15 p.m.

Note to self: Please don't go from no exercise to too much exercise overnight !

A new beginning...yet again :)

Time and again I have begun exercise and diet control in all earnest and failed each time. 

The latest attempt involved enrolling in a gym in June. Yet, till date I haven't stepped foot inside it even once ! I have paid hard earned money for it. They even called me twice in the last four months asking me when I planned to go. I gave them a date and never turned up. I didn't feel the slightest guilt or shame. I don't know why. The further I delayed going to the gym, the further my resistance increased, in fact. Now I feel I just can't face the instructors. I feel embarrassed. When I shared this feeling with somebody, they said, what't there to be embarrassed about ? Its your money and your health. Just go.

In the meantime, I had just let myself go. I sensed that my weight had slightly increased too. Controlling what I eat was never a problem - that comes easy. My struggle has always been getting up early and going to the gym - getting up early being the key words. Due to my schedule of work and theatre, early mornings were the only time I could spare for exercise and I just can't get up early.

Somehow for the last one month my fitness, my health, becoming slim have all been on the mind...and firmly stayed there. No action. Then last week suddenly it seemed that I was being given gentle nudges, soft signals far too many times by the Universe for me to ignore. One blogger whose blog I've been following for long has suddenly been gifted a gym+personal trainer by her husband and she has started writing about how she's doing at the gym. From  the comments on one of her posts I landed on another blogger's account of her weight loss journey. I bookmarked it to read it on Sunday at home. Come Sunday, I was watching NDTV and came to know about their initiative on fit cities. The previous day, I had received a story in my email about how an 80-year old man decided to train for a marathon and eventually ran one. Then I read the bookmarked blog right from the day she began her blog, till date. The lady started at 100 kgs., is now at 77 kgs. and plans to reach 67 kgs. ! Suddenly I felt some kind of hard feeling, like resolve, taking over my mind.

I downloaded a pedometer app on my phone, loaded songs in the mp3 player and set out to walk. I walked fast for a while but later I had to walk a little slower due to  some pain in my hip joints. I walked for about 2.75 kms. I guess the pain might have been due to walking on the uneven road. While walking I resolved that I would be dead serious about it this time. This is like do or die. I'm not stopping till I achieve the ideal weight. It also meant recording everything I ate and my daily exercise. When I returned home, I took out a beautiful handmade paper notebook TH (TheHusband) had gifted me long ago. I started by writing about my struggles so far and my new found resolve. Then I made an intent sheet. I wrote down my goals for October 2012.

Yesterday too I went to another park with a nice walking track and walked 4.10 kms. While walking yesterday I decided that I will walk on tracks in parks this week and next week onwards I will go to the gym. I will initially, till I become comfortable with the environment there, do a combination of cardio exercises for a minimum of 30 mins. Gradually I will go on increasing my gym time and work.

Also I will eat mindfully. I will avoid, maida (all purpose flour) based stuff, sweets, rice.

Thus I have restarted my journey to becoming fit and slim.

I am going to record my progress here as well as in my fitness journal. Eventually when I feel a little comfortable with myself, a little confident, I shall open this blog to readers. For now it will be my private online journal.

Today's weight: 71 kgs.

Target weight: 52 kgs.

TO LOSE: 19 kgs

So, my October goals are:

1) Exercise 6 days a week

2) Last meal of the day before 8:00 p.m.

3) In bed at 11:00 p.m.

I started recording yesterday. So here's the record for 8/OCT/2012:

Walked 4.10 kms.

Breakfast 9:30 a.m.: 1 bowl of upma + 1 cup tea

Lunch 3:00 p.m.: 6-inch tuna+green bell pepper+olives sub sandwich, 6 inch open pepperoni toastie

Tea 5:00 p.m.: 1 cup tea + 2 biscuits + 1 piece orange choc + 1 coffee choc

Dinner 9:00 p.m.: 1 guava

Slept at 11:30 p.m.

Today I am going to leave office early to be able to accommodate my walking time in the evening. I am not having to force myself mentally to do it. This is a refreshing change. Hope it is lasting. Fingers crossed.