From the Editor: I once struggled with my weight

Huddle close, I have a confession to make: For many years, I struggled with my weight.

Growing up as an overweight girl, it was always made very clear to me by the other kids that my dimensions were not ‘normal’. The resulting battle with my self-esteem manifested itself in my teenage years, when it became very difficult for me to see myself as anything but what the schoolyard bullies of primary school had called me – and the names were endless, and cruel.

It was only when I got to university that the problem – and the fat – magically melted away, thanks to a punishing class schedule that saw me walk a kilometre every day to class, and another kilometre back, and shuttle endlessly between the campus and my job in the city.

There weren’t many fast food shops on campus either; we had to eat our fruits and vegetables because that was what was available at the mess – and in any case, any chips and fried chicken calories were instantly absorbed by that walking regime.

I was at my slimmest – and possibly happiest – in those years… and then the working years came. Years spent sitting at a desk typing and editing stories. And being often too tired to cook a meal, I would fall to fast food to settle the hunger pangs. There were endless networking parties too, with cocktails and bitings… all of which ended up settling on my hips and thighs.

One day I decided I had had enough; I was going to take control of my life and my weight. I was going to do something! So I did. And I pretty much did everything. If there was a detox programme, a herbal regime, a supplements programme, I bought into it hook, line and sinker. But the weight did not fall off as fast as I thought it would.

Thinking back on those days, I was looking for fast results – and nothing was working as it should. I was forced to think back to the days when the fat fell off, and to reconsider my ways.

Obviously, I didn’t have to walk kilometres any more given that I was no longer a campus resident, so what could I do? And that’s when I wised up and got my gym membership and my diet back on track.

It has been many years since; these days I am absorbed still trying to lose the post-pregnancy pounds I acquired (22 extra kilos is no joke to lose!) But it has been a worthwhile journey, exploring yoga, experimenting with hula hooping and regularly enjoying my fruit and vegetable smoothies.

I no longer beat myself up about it. But I realise that many other women do – and this week’s main feature is for them. Meanwhile, have a happy Easter and enjoy your holidays, from all of us at the Satmag team!