Every Good Thing Takes Patience and Hardwork

Growing up, I was surrounded by several women who were petite. Scrawny arms, skinny legs and slender necks. But I was curvy. I had flabby arms, jiggly thighs and a double chin. There were times when people made fun of my size and teased me about my backside. For several years, I felt self-conscious and embarrassed about the shape of my body. I felt envious of those women who could eat all the junk foods they wanted without having to worry about gaining weight.

But in 2011, during the month of Ramadan, my cousin encouraged me to exercise. Each afternoon, I headed over to the park near my house and sprinted across the sidewalk. Along with running, I would perform a mix of squats and lunges. I did this for 30 days and I lost 20 pounds. But since I wasn't consuming the proper and right amount of nutrients, my hair started falling out.

Over the course of the years, I learned that in order to take care of your body, along with working out, you need to eat a balanced diet, have rest days, cheat meals and eight hours of sleep. I also learned it's not prudent to exercise during the month of Ramadan because your body wears out quickly. Now, I not only exercise on a consistent basis, but I eat a plate full of protein, leafy greens and a small portion of carbs. In the mornings, I'll have a bowl of oatmeal with a banana or boiled eggs. For lunch or dinner, I'll eat a salad packed with fruits, seeds, and either salmon, chicken or plant-based meat. After my workouts, I'll make myself a protein shake and during the day, I'll snack on walnuts, raisins or fruits. On the weekends, I'll have my cheat meals, which could range from tacos or sushi to pizza or burgers. Because I have a sweet tooth for desi treats, I'll also help myself to some kaju katli, walnut halwa and habshi halwa. This way, I'm not depriving myself of sweets or junk food and I'm getting to eat all the foods I enjoy, while maintaining my weight and a healthy lifestyle.

But that's not all. Now that I look at myself in the mirror, I no longer feel insecure or ashamed of my body. To maintain the richness of my hair, I oil it and massage my scalp. Along with a healthy body, I've learned it's also imperative to have a healthy mindset. I feel proud of how far I've come. We have to realize that each day is our chance to improve and we need to avail it. Everyone has their own journey and pace but every good thing takes patience and hard work.