All it takes is a moment to change your life. It took me 35 years of passive living to figure out that I could change my body if I chose to.
I am an immigrant from Southern India settled in the suburbs of Chicago with my husband and two daughters. I was plump as a child, overweight as a teenager and obese as an adult. I accepted it meekly and continued to bury my flab in oversized clothes.
Backpain crippled me one day and I couldn't get up after bending down to pick up something at home. With the help of my 10 year old daughter, I drove myself to the hospital and dragged my body into the doctor's office. Citing my weight, he gave me the ultimatum. Lose at least 5 pounds or I will not be given pain medication. As hurt I was, something struck a chord deep within.
My first moment came when I vowed to never return without losing at least 10 pounds.
I started my fitness journey slow by modifying my diet and walking. My standard route everyday was two miles around my neighborhood. When my weight started dropping slowly but steadily, my endurance and confidence improved and I started walking faster. Walks turned to jogs and jogs turned to runs.
Two years after "my moment of truth", I had lost 65 pounds.
My second moment came when I decided to sign up for my first half Marathon. Armed with the confidence and improved fitness levels, I propelled myself further and further. Since then, I have run six marathons and another one planned this summer.
Did I tell you I never went back to the doctor for back pain again?
My third moment came when a few friends asked me casually how I managed to lose weight. I mentioned my training plans and suggested that I could help them too. DESI GIRLS was born on that day.