It’s that time of year when people are bringing their suitcases down from lofts or attics and taking out clothing only kept for travelling. At least that’s what Prima Donna and Anna Shetty are doing. This is the last week of school, where everything becomes one big whirlwind of activity.

This makes me happy to be staying back. No worries about what to pack and what to leave out. Even less to worry about plane schedules, hotel reservations, sites to see and museums to visit.

More importantly. I won’t have any steps to climb! ( (why do ancient monuments have have so many steps to climb?)! Unfortunately, I’ve reached that age when every step matters.

I know that the old Chinese saying “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is what I should adopt as my tagline for my formidable journey to lose weight and gain health but, honestly, the way my body aches and pains, I’m grateful if I can turn over in my bed without moaning and groaning.

Why my weight keeps going up

I’ve tried each and every liniment, pain relief balm, swallowed NSAID’s, contemplated several ayurvedic treatments and attempted homeopathic pills but all to nought. I’ve now resorted to asking Ms. Papaya to work her magic spells on me so that my weight starts going down.

Now all those who know my eternal lament of my increasing weight and failing diets will be surprised to know that I have taken yet another step in yet another attempt to lose weight. This time I hope it works because I will be tackling this in a new way.

In the most recent studies regarding weight issues and weight management, the reason for stubborn fat is

• YoYo Dieting: Irregular eating patterns, where alternating stuffing and starving your body of food, lead to fat being stored for the times the body is deprived of food.
• Lack of Sleep : Now this is a new one. I thought that once you reached your adult size, sleep was required only to refresh and restore the body. A normal adult can do with 6 hours of good sleep.
• Improper diet. This seems quite plausible because some foods leave you hungry and craving for more while others leave you too stuffed to sleep. The snacking in between meals is more the downfall than one imagined.

New cures for old woes

The latest these days are supplements like Magnesium that promote sleep and consequently help in weight loss and subsequently less aches and pains.

Chia seeds soaked in water are supposed to help you with acidity and gas and body bloat.

Coriander seeds soaked in water are also meant to be a natural immunity booster, an antioxidant, a blood sugar regulator and a digestive health enhancer.

But the most revelatory cause of stubborn weight is metabolic disorders that include hormonal and thyroidal imbalances.

So now instead of halving your food and doubling your exercise, one is advised to have blood test for Gut microbiomes, thyroid tests.

So, it looks like I have the same battle with old age with its aches and pains adding a new dimension.

Ciao