Fitness to Freedom

Usually, when people put on a lot of weight, they get into an activity which helps them reduce weight. That activity could become their passion, an unseen dream or simply a daily routine due to habits formed.

My idea of Fitness however little I have known and experienced over past 2.5 years is a lot different. Here is my blog to talk about it and also go gaga about it!

It was early September, 2017 when I just knew if I never acted upon my body shape, it could just blot a way too lot to allow me to fit into any clothes, have a pot belly for years and it could just make me look someone I did not want to see in me. I saw myself looking pretty ugly in the 2 full sized mirrors on my wardrobe each morning, each evening after work.

I remember, Mr. Jilani Shaikh - some sort of fitness trainer who was friends with my then tennis coach (I barely managed playing as a beginner after June 2017 as work kept me busy with tax seasons and new events), who used to train Govind, an acquaintance and tennis player at CCI club. 

I decided to see him one morning at 9 am at Wodehouse Gymkhana, he greeted me well. She smiled at me and gave me the form to fill and join Tuesday and Thursdays at 730 am. I knew some big change is about to happen. I was also in a duality of the mind as to how will I manage this. I live at Malabar Hill and work at Fort. To wake up at 6ish, reach for the workout, shower the Gymkhana and carry tonnes of baggage, reach office at 10 am…oh my god. That worried me up!

1^st Day at workout, I managed to reach in time. I showered in a not so equipped Wodehouse Gymkhana. I reached work. At work, I could feel my muscles jamming and slowly and steady as the week passed by I saw two changes.

I would feel my muscles tensing up but could realize something inside me is changing. Could never explain what and how. I started getting comfortable with now Jilani Sir, a coach one must have for one life! His way and abilities to shape your day through his class is silent and like that of a meditation teacher. Let me come back to him as we progress.

I started changing at CCI, I left my bags at the reception for my father to pick it or left the car at the club but ensured a good breakfast would reach satisfy my hunger pangs. Most times, I would walk from club to office and eat the breakfast sent by mom. I was more keen on that, as it saved immense time. I would be at work at times till 10.20 (1.5 hours after a good workout), crunching and waiting for my ghar ka khana. That allowed me to learn to be patient. Usually I am cranky without food. But I could sense myself OK.

As the time passed by and as I registered myself for ACCA last attempt to be given in March 2018, I started to know I had lots to do with guitar class as well. Work was no less. Kept me engrossed, but focus was diluting though hard work and commitment for anything never diminished. I could not see a guide to mentor me. I only picked up what to focus on depending on the time and need of the hour. But, today I know what I need to do and what to ignore for the best of me to be able to be best I can, leaving myself to unlearn and relearn always.

So the training was sailing through, I could run better than an aunty I used to run like. I could feel energy and was able to see myself stronger enough than before. Well, this was the beginning.

The middle was not dreampt of. 28^th Feb 2018, an amazing trip after Bali just finished a month back, ACCA exams were 7 days around the corner and boom that morning I woke up with a jolt and severe upper torso pain. I had frozen. I had ignored my cervical pains for 12 days and popped in anti biotics without showing a doctor and only consulting on the phone. I should have gone to a physical therapist or for diagnosis. I thought it was some random nerve pull. Well no it was an attack of acute cervical spondylitis, it was because I was reading my neck down deep in the books, stress of upcoming Professional Exams, fear of failing, and long sitting posture at work and home study desk.

I wasn’t exercising since 20 days or more. The muscles had become tight. I just had left my training in the middle after and just a few days before Bali. 1 month the body could have been in shock. It died in the torso. The nerve pulled from the tip of my nail to the traps and into the shoulder blades and UFF, Ouch and God I can die were those feelings of the pain.  

I thought to myself, am I getting some attack of paralysis, or would I need a surgery. I rushed to Jilani sir by texting at 5 am. Mom put me socks and shoes. I was in terrible condition where I could not even move an inch. I reached Wodehouse with dad, jumping in the car and just had one word Ouch Ouch as much as the breaks were pressed. I don’t wish to reimagine that.

Sir, knew I was locked and asked me to roll ball on the muscle. I felt some relief for few seconds and again the pain came together and my face became colourless. Sir, saw me, tears rolled down as I saw him, I could not take that pain. I called my old Physical Therapist Mrs. Rupa Mehta who I went to in 2012 for spinal spondylitis and she was referred to me for core strengthening. I knew I would get an answer.

Thankfully, she took me at 9 am into her clinic and her junior Ms. Saloni Parikh (Doctor) diagnosed me. She was clear what it was but said you will give the exam. I knew I was normal and no surgery was required. Uff, while crossing the road to reach the doctor, I felt a car would hit me. Dad was also in shock to realize I could not turn left and right to cross the road rightly.

Nevertheless, I cried buckets for 3 days and studied too. I would exercise as per routine of the doctor each 15 minutes, the basic chin tucks. I had to lift myself up from the bed with a towel around the neck. Mom nursed me like GOD. I could not eat, brush my hair, pullover the bedsheet, bend down to turn the room lights on or off….basics had to be done by mom. I ensured I was best not to trouble her. She even fed me as for the first 2 days I could not take my neck forward, touch my phone and not even touch food.

The nerves were killing me. I felt 10 knives cutting through my shoulder blade. This thought gives me shivers and it makes me do my ore strengthening exercises even TODAY daily!

I failed the exams, mom was worried and I knew I would be in pain. The 7 days revision time was spoilt and I could not achieve even 50%. Or marks that I could achieve how much ever I knew ACCA needed.

I consulted my friend Dr. Siddharth Shah – a fantastic Orthopedic Surgeon in Mumbai. He was so sweet not to charge his fees too. He told me to stop going for fitness, drive not too much and wrote me a prescription. Jilani sir was in touch with me throughout this phase.

I wore the cervical belt to work. It used to suffocate me. I could not take it. I had ointments, sprays and medicines. I did not like this. I felt I was carrying a clinic with me. I knew I had to STOP this. Then the magic! I found on a recommendation by my school friend Dr. Ishani, Dr. Manoj – Osteopath. He is a living Magic! I was looking for an osteopath and happened to speak to Ishani one day and she said try going to him, you may feel relief in one sitting.

That day was so good. My heart expanded and in 5 sittings he informed me that I was alright.

The pain from mid Feb stopped somewhere in June. This was really a long time.

I had gained more weight, my tempo of workout instead of increasing had fallen to 0 again. But I never lost courage. My family never allows me to lose it. It is Guru’s grace. My brother Raman was very supportive at work and for ACCA. He told me to take early leave from office and focus on health. I felt sorry, but I had no choice as June attempt was really critical.

As soon as the June attempt finished, despite Manoj sir asking me not to go for weight lifts and trainings, I resumed with JS fitness (Jilani sir). I kept the neck high and he ensured I do not life weights or crunch. I could only do exercises that do not keep my neck bent or strain my neck forward or lean me forward.

Dr. Saloni was visited a few times to taken needles and physical therapy as the weight was coming on my back. Also, she was closer and quicker than reaching Manoj sir. I liked to be with both of them. They were caring. And that’s what we need in any professional.

Wall Pushs, rowing, running, skipping, tyre up and down added to my stamina. I used to see different coaching to different students and told myself that I also want to do this. I never set a time line, went with the flow. Did not want to shock the body. Jilani sir was caring and so protective that he wouldn’t allow me to lift even an extra kilo. He was around watching me and his sight is that of a kite. He can bring spotless perfection in you when it comes to workout.

I was serious. I failed ACCA. I cried buckets. My heart shattered. I couldn’t take that. I was not prepared for more studies and strain on the neck due to sitting with upcoming September audits.

I felt what if I would drop out!!! Parents and my best friend Noel and Harshit came to my rescue. They handled my childish questions and they knew I still would appear for exams. Neha Chopra my old friend while talking after long on the phone, happened to tell me – IF INTERNATIONAL TAX IS YOUR PASSION, WHY WOULD YOU GO FOR ANY OTHER SUBJECT?

That conversation which happened without any reason but for a reason tickled me. I stretched my mind to think. Pondered to see if I could find the write Country for International Tax. BCAS friends helped! Their references did. Specially Mr. Rashmin Sanghvi’s friend Mrs. Patel in UK was so kind that I never turned back.

Then, the selection was made. UK tax for ACCA – Goal was to PASS and for that I surely needed a teacher. I did not want to do it alone. I called my old referred friend through Harshit – Shriram. He referred me to Pratham Barot – a topper of Int tax at ACCA running his own class. I was tutored by his colleague Vidhi Shah.

Meanwhile, I continued with my training at fitness, new Harmonium and vocals and forgot the guitar. I could not manage everything. All I knew I had to crack ACCA. It was December 2018 and I had stopped fried, sweets and rice since a month. I did not know what was it to lose weight. Some inches of the belly did not shrink though the glutes and thighs trimmed.

Brinda – a new friend at workout told me STOP Sugar, she hasn’t had it for 12 YEARS!!! I did not want to eat bitter. She suggested Stevia. That new taste made me stop tea and coffee. I only had black coffee. It helped me to stay up for weekend classes, mornings for workout and vocals and ofcourse at work. I would also remain up studying daily as I had to study and revise everything that was taught at the weekend class by Vidhi.

All this was making me fit internally. The freedom of the body was transpiring. But the mind was in it’s own trip. It was emotional, tensed, worried and anxious with so many activities. I never realized that. I would get irritated but never had the time to sit and ponder. Really no TIME!!!

It took me 4 months from Feb 2019 to May 2019 to lose 7 kilos, totallying to 10 kilos. I was 65 on the weighing scale. I felt so GOOD. I had cleared ACCA by then. Then came the Road trip to Switzerland. I felt the energy in my body. I could drive long routes and pay attention to the minutest details. I could focus on what was next.

The years 2017 to 2019 were eventful. A lot was happening on daily basis. From dad’s retirement, to ACCA, from new investment to handling people at work, from writing, planning at BCAS to participating. It was a Great experience. I learn a HELL LOT!

An element of successful completion the year was Fitness. It gives you focus. A zeal to reach to the zenith. Nothing really is enough. No workout is tough, no work is tough, nothing is impossible, no pain is constant, no event fearful, no time is against you SO LONG AS YOUR MIND IS WITH YOU.

Fitness training has become a part of me. It has given me a purpose. My dad is stronger than 10 youths added to one piece at 73!!! The diet is very important. If you do not treat the body as holy device you are going to crack it up any time sooner. Fried, sweets and sugar are poison!

You can add them to your body and ensure you remove them before they turn into toxics. I will call it fat. One is not fat with the body, but people’s attitude is FAT. It is so fat that nothing really can get it and nothing really can get out.

Fitness changes that. It changes you and things around you. It makes you survive the whole day with pumping energy. Sure, you do need good sleep but without one you can still fight the day. You feel better. You feel a drive for the things that you really want to do. You become errorfree and careful.

You are tolerant with your self and that reflects in your performance, your speech, you ability to manage people. Jilani sir – a coach who stands on his feet more than 9 hours on his feet, is awake from 6 am to 11 pm is one of the finest persons and teachers I could ever find.

He is magic like Saloni maam, Manoj sir, Siddharth & my friends Rachit, Harshit, Noel and Shriram were. Ofcourse, my Parents were the fuel to my fire, they let it burn. They have their own issues but it never comes in my way for workouts, food and education and learning. They have a simple theory, spend money to eat and learn. Spend money on things you need. I like that concept and it is practical. They never complaint and their support is too much to ask for!

Fitness sets you free. It sets you on the tracks that lead to your small milestones that you wish to achieve step by step. Calling it addictive is too negative. I would call it breathing, a way of life, the way it should be, a tool to focus and set your body to be able to physically shift you where your mind needs to be.