By Mansi
Wait a minute. It’s February already? That’s weird because it felt just like yesterday that I finally got all my resolutions in place. Okay, it might have been a month into the year already, but I am no weakling. Like every other year, this year I have promised myself that I will lose weight. I also promised to throw myself into work and make a billion, but then that’s far-fetched so let’s be real, okay?
I have my reservations about losing weight in February though. First of all, it has less days which automatically means that I have fewer days for my rigorous workouts. That’s a legit valid reason for not shedding the extra kilos. Also, this month has Valentine’s Day, which as everyone knows is a day made for you to consume lots of calories without feeling any sense of guilt. If you are with someone this means dinner is an expensive affair, but also one where you can both order dessert and you can have yours and then whatever is leftover from theirs. If you are single, you can pamper yourself with a massage and a movie. Who am I kidding? You get to eat a whole cake without sharing it with anybody else.
I am rock solid with my resolutions in January. With the exception of weekends. And Republic Day, of course. But then comes the precarious time when you lose all resolve and fast food joints lure you in with their promise of calorie-laden deep-fried goodness. You then start to get a little cranky about not being able to make time for things that are important to you i.e. uninterrupted time on YouTube and day drinking. And I am not even talking about periods.
Around February is when new year resolutions start gathering their first subtle layer of dust. Up until now, you were caught in the whirlwind positivity of it being a new year. A year where everything was going to change — if we are going solely by the new year wishes on WhatsApp. Slowly but quite steadily the cloak of newness is starting to wear off.
This is a particularly taxing time because you realise that you’ve probably signed up for a lot more than you were willing to commit. By now, you’ve realised that the scheduled early morning walks have been, and quite easily, replaced by some extra snooze time. January had me on my feet, waking up earlier, chomping on steamed broccoli and in general making it a point to squeeze in a workout.
Also, my investment wasn’t just the time. As a person dedicated to a goal, I did everything I needed to power me through. Which means I went out and bought new shoes. A little expensive, I must admit, but I wasn’t going to settle for a normal pair that didn’t come with magical heel support, laces in unicorn colours and enthusiastic brand slogans. It was all a very sensible and logical decision. I also invested in a good sports bra for my twins. And while I was there, I bought a couple of tees that ensured I looked like I was serious about the weight loss. So yeah, a considerable amount of money left my wallet. But that’s okay. Weight loss requires commitment. So I bought a fitness tracker as well. I am yet to sync it to anything and the only action my tracker has seen till now is my fingers moving to change the TV channel, but I see you’re being judgemental and no one needs that.
Anyway, it’s a new month and there’s always the next Monday. Which, by the way, is a great day to start any new plan. So I am going get back on track. But just after I finish eating the frosting off this cupcake.