I noticed the problem creeping in over the weeks but ignored the warnings. Probably it was too late. Finally, I could not put off accepting the
ominous signs.Yes,one day my trouser waist could no longer be buttoned.
The questions before me were two fold.One,should I buy new trousers - an expensive proposition
or,two,reduce my waistline,seemingly a big challenge?As an interim measure the
alteration specialist in our building was commissioned to increase the trouser
waist by an inch.Then I went about looking at alternative methods of reducing
my girth to more manageable proportion.My wife,of course,suggested the
obvious.A crash course in dieting,which I nixed immediately as being impractical.
Walking would be the next best option as per my friends.I
told my physician that I walked over six kilometres each time on the golf
course.He dismissed this by saying that covering the distance in five hours was
not an exercise.Besides,he said that I would recover more than the calories
lost in the clubhouse after the game.So,a brisk walk was the treatment
recommended.
I signed up with a neighbor to accompany him to Lal Bagh
every morning.A couple of days later he declined my company.Apparently,that guy
preferred listening peacefully to devotional music through his headphones while
walking.Whereas,I looked upon this activity as a social occasion where I could
discuss with him subjects of global importance like why our cows on the road
were of a different colour than their counterparts in Europe.Or, why six out of
ten cars we passed on the road were white.
Most mornings I would see our off-duty security guards
taking our building dogs for a walk.This gave me an idea.A couple of my
neighbours agreed for me to take their canines for their daily constitutional.I
supposed they were relieved that they would not have to pay for this service.One
Monday I set off with a sedate Labrador and frisky Pomeranian.Initially there
was a feeling of camaraderie amongst the three of us.Soon I found that the dogs
were actually taking me for a walk.Plus,they insisted on renewing their
acquaintance with every lamp post on the route.But a bigger danger lurked round
the corner.There were a whole lot of street dogs snarling at the intruders to
warn them off their territory.The Lab cowered behind me but the pesky Pom
insisted on taking on the bigger rivals.Very soon I was entangled in both the
leashes.Finally,thanks to a passing newspaper boy a modicum of peace was
restored and we hurriedly made our way back home.
It was then suggested that I join a fitness centre under a
personal trainer.As there were several establishments near our apartment I
began to do some market research.But I had no love for any such physical
activity.Then one day an advertisement in the paper caught my eye.It was
exactly what I was looking for.
So,here I am for the last one week in an alternative
medicine spa near Whitefield.They do not starve me nor force me to do hard
labour.I even managed to skip the morning yoga classes.What I look forward to
most is the daily massage and the steam and sauna bath after that.Whether I
will lose weight or not is a moot point.But,I am beyond the point of caring.
