Gym

I was the kind who hated gym. Why would someone want to use machines to work out? A walk in the park or a zumba/aerobics session would do for me, was what I used to tell myself. But then, it never happened. So like I mentioned earlier, I started my fitness after injury with walking, which slowly progressed to fast walking/jogging on the treadmill in our apartment gym. When one fine day, the only treadmill that used to work, also broke down, I gave up walking too. After a couple of weeks, KK pushed me to use the local gym membership. He had taken it long back which included family membership.  Thats how I stepped into a gym. Looking back, I don't know why I hated it - I guess it was the fear of the unknown. For almost a year, I did the cardio workouts only - scared to try the weights.

Thats when a new trainer came in and asked me to give weight training a try. With much reluctance, I started. I so remember the first time lying down on a tiny table trying to lift the tiniest of weights - it was the first bench press. I couldn't bring myself up on my own and there was nothing to hold on to. Turning to any side would definitely throw me off the narrow bench. After a while, the trainer came back wondering why I was still on the bench. Well, he finally helped me get off it. Thats one more thing to learn at the gym - feeling embarrassed every other day and then finally getting over it. Fumbling around a machine trying to adjust the height and asking the next guy for the nth time how to do it, huffing and puffing with a 2kg dumbbell standing next to someone who is casually pumping 20kg are all part of gym life. Although I am nowhere near the strength I should be for someone who regularly hits the gym - I am far better off from where I started. For starters, I can get myself off the tiny bench on my own now :)

This one habit has motivated me to try new habits and to believe in myself. Hoping to stick to it for longer!

Weekend with friends

This weekend we had one of our good friends over for dinner. The first of this year.  Their little girl and Sid (who are of the same age) had fun drawing and playing games. They look forward to the xbox sessions when the adults get around for dinner. I had made peas pulao, paneer curry, panchmel dal and aloo gobi dry. For a change, my dishes turned out good. Friends had got yummy "Saag" which is a winter special spinach.  We made chapathis together while gossiping about everything under the sun. This was one much awaited meet up - good food, fun and company !

We used the leftovers for an easy Sunday.  A lovely weekend all together.

Gold for the golden boy

Sid had his PTM today. I picked him after school and we started walking towards his class (for the PTM). Thats when I noticed this around his neck. Looks like he was wearing it all day to show me! He had won a gold medal in English Olympiad. His first Gold. I was a very happy and a proud mama.

But once the PTM was over, I was the proudest mom around.  The teachers feedback on his character was what made me even more proud. His class teacher said he was a "wonderful person with a pure heart". Love you my golden boy! Wishing you more happiness and health always!

How I started working out - Part 2

My family was my biggest support through out. Mom and Dad were more than willing to come incase I did require a surgery.

Little Sid would keep telling "Mamma, you will be fine soon". In fact he came with me when I tried my first long walk. Kk was my biggest pillar of support. Almost every day when I was in pain and used to wallow in self pity, he would advise support and if nothing worked, crack the silliest of joke to crack me up!

Dr N advised me to take up some form of regular workout to strengthen my core. And also to lose weight especially around the mid-section as it directly affects the spine. I decided to walk everyday no matter what. Started with a few hundred meters initially and went on to 3km everyday. When things were getting better, I had another slip disc around the neck (thoracic). But this time, I recuperated quickly as I was better equipped mentally. 

Learning to handle pain and not to let it bring you down emotionally was my biggest learning through all this. And of course, never to take our health and mobility for granted. There began my journey of working out every day. Even if I miss out due to travel or ill health, I always get back to my routine in a couple of weeks.

Will write more about my workouts in another blog post !

How I started working out - Part 1

Life has strange ways of making us realise what we are blessed with.

I was a "healthy" (no fat shaming okay) person all through my life.  In my mid 20's,a bad food poisoning rocked the boat. Lost a lot of weight in a few months and have to admit, I was happy to fit into a lot of new dresses. I watched my diet to not gain all of it back. All that was for a couple of years. Then came marriage, a healthy pregnancy and post natal "care".  Gained all of them back and more. I was now a "healthier" at home mom, busy taking care of my son. My only form of exercise at this point was slow walk around the apartment while busy gossiping with neighbours.

One fine day, I woke up with a bad back ache. Went ahead with the usual routine not realising what it was. After a couple of days, had to go to the doctor (Dr. N) as the pain was worsening. One look and he diagnosed it as a slipped disc. After a lot of resting and self pitying I was kind of getting better. only to have a relapse in a couple of months. This time it was worse and I wasn't able to lie down or move without pain. Panic ridden, this time we went to an orthopaedic surgeon.
He clearly advised me to get admitted to have a surgery as there was no other way out of pain. He even gave me a drawing of where the screws would go and how the additional rod would help the spine.  I asked the doctor what is the worse thing that would happen with the operation - he said partial paralysis. But he was kind enough to pacify me saying there are operations to reverse the paralysis as well!

I was alone at the hospital as we did not want to take the little one there. This diagnosis shocked me and I cried right there holding the MRI. But I was very clear about one thing - there was no way I was adding any kind of screws or rods to my back.

Then the next day, we went back to our Dr. N, who actually laughed it all out and asked me to not worry.  He not only ruled out surgery, but also did not prescribe any medicines (his logic was, if I took pain killers how would I know if the pain was getting better!). Not the one to be easily convinced, I did check with a couple of doctor friends who shared the same opinion as Dr.N.
Our doctor also recommended a few simple exercises to begin with (which I could hardly do at that time). He was truly God sent at that time.

Slowly, very slowly, the pain subsided and I was improving. I remember the first time getting back to walking after all this. It wasn't easy but it was a start.

Sunshine with my sunshine

These days we have started spending an hour after school in the terrace. Sid carries his book to read, I my laptop and some snacks in a box.  We talk, eat, do our work sitting next to each other while getting some evening sun. I love this routine so much and have started looking forward to it everyday. The fresh air and the soft sun makes it even more pleasant.

Looks can be deceptive

I definitely did not think, getting to day 2 of blogathon would take so much effort. But then decided to show up instead of hitting the bed.

Had a long day after the travel back from native, Sid is back to school and me to work. When I was wondering what to write about today, this incident came to my mind.

I had to visit Sid's school recently to pay fees. Seeing one of the teachers in saree I asked Sid what her name was. I casually also added that she looks quite tall and beautiful especially in that saree.
He shook his head violently and said, "Don't fall for looks Mama, looks can be deceptive".  I was stunned! I was laughing and wondering how he knew to use that phrase and what he understood of it. He then clearly explained that the teacher was very strict and so not to fall for her looks!

I am in awe everyday seeing him grow. His smile, innocence and reasoning behind everything he says, his love for paneer, his passion for reading and even his anger - I just adore everything.

Mon, mama is your biggest fan ever :)