Why one shouldn’t let family decide “How much ‘thin’ is healthy and how much is NOT.”

Specimen: Sneha Ramachandran

Case Study: Can her weight loss be an indication of anorexia?

I had my parents come over to my place on Saturday to celebrate my pop’s birthday in advance. No sooner did they step into ​the house than my Mom gasped and the shock written over her face got me to panic! I had honestly expected some drama but what ensued was no less than Bollywood masala! She screamed “Snehaaaa, you’ve lost so much weight! Look at you! Your legs are like drumsticks!” She had barely finished her sentence when my Dad added in disappointment “your tummy has completely gone inside!” (Sounds like it caved in!)

ARE YOU KIDDING ME DAD!!??? People struggle to push that stubborn tummy inside and you’re actually upset that I managed to achieve it??
Note: Neither do my legs qualify to be compared with drumsticks nor has my tummy gone in the way my Dad described! It was ‘hyperbole’ raised to the power 5! Now you know where my exaggeration skills come from! My parents, of course!

And if you think that’s the limit, you’re yet to meet my Grandma. Luckily I haven’t been to my parents’ place in the recent past. Mom dreads my Grandma’s reaction to my figure! She’s requested me to come visiting when she’s at work so she can avoid all the drama!

From all of this, you’d think I’d have achieved a breakthrough in weight loss but NO. That’s not the case. Iv managed to lose one kilo and one inch off my waist. But the way my family puts it, looks like I’m suffering from a serious case of malnutrition. Family I tell you!!

So yeah, there’s this sudden fitness craze in me owing to two reasons;

1) ICAI is doing its best in destroying me mentally this time. Starting Feb 16th when I took my books in my hand I began to go downhill. I couldn’t get myself to concentrate, I couldn’t stand the sight of my books.. There were times I sat crumpled up like trash paper and wept hysterically. The more I tried to understand the syllabus(albeit for the 6th time), stronger was the realisation that Finance was just not my cup of coffee. Depression got me craving for food all the time and my bulging tummy added to the depression.

2) Pratik, fed up with his own figure, signed up for an online fitness regime. The group is called S.Q.U.A.T.S. wherein you select one from a range of trainers and he/she chalks out a diet and workout plan for you each week, basis your stats. Let me assure you, I’ve​ seen the results myself. They’re amazing! All you need is major self control, dedication and patience all of which Pratik developed the moment he signed up!

No, no! I didn’t join him for the fitness program but his dedication got me to take fitness seriously. First couple of days was a struggle and then it changed. I started craving for the morning workout session. I didn’t have to snooze my alarm. Some sort of fire had lit inside me!

I don’t do hardcore gym. I brisk walk every morning for a little more than 4 kms along with some exercises that make people around think I’m loony! Last two Sundays I’ve ​managed to burn 200 calories in the pool! I’ve stopped eating unnecessary junk and I drink loads of water..So much water that sometimes I can hear waves inside me when I walk! 😛 So there you go! That’s the secret to my so called ‘anorexic’ shape!

What’s of more importance is that I decided not to let ICAI defeat me entirely. They want to mess me up mentally, fine.. but I won’t let them destroy me physically. I’m not going to be one of those who struggle to lose depression-binge-eating weight post exams.

Come July, when the results will be declared, I know the figure on the marksheet​ will be as satisfying​ as my figure!

I’m not promoting anorexia or saying fat is bad. I’d never comment on weight. That’s each one’s personal choice! I’m doing all of this to strengthen myself. To stay sane! So dear Co-CA strugglers, all I’m saying is that I chose fitness. You can choose anything YOU like and enjoy. Let not these exams destroy you. They aren’t worth losing your mind over!

P.S. I chose the emotional routine to convince my parents that my aim in life was to NOT become anorexic but to become a CA without landing in an asylum! I think it worked! 😀

Cheers!