Diet-wise regime

The biryani on the table was staring me in the face, trying my willpower as I checked my watch for the nth time. Where was the delivery guy, I wondered. The first day of my diet, and my meal from Balance Café was delayed — for which the guy apologised profusely. Anyway, the biryani. So did I give in to the temptation? I'd brought leftovers for friends but made sure I'd stuffed myself enough the previous evening before going on diet. So it wasn't going to tempt. But the steamed and grilled chicken I had for lunch for the next two days would push anyone off the wagon. I can never understand why diet food has to be so unappetising. Why do you need to eat boiled vegetables and meat only? "The diet plan is tailor-made to suit individual body types," explains Dr Chandy, the Ayurvedic consultant at Balance Wellness Club, who drew up the meal plan. "As described in the Ayurvedic texts, the body types vata, pita and kapha are what decide the digestive power [fire] and absorption of food. Vata individuals have delicate digestive systems, making it difficult to absorb heavy food. Pita individuals have the best digestive systems, while those with a kapha disposition have slow digestion. So if the food intake is according to the digestive power and body type, the digestive system will perform optimally. As the Ayurveda truism goes, if the stomach is fine, everything is fine." And then came the boss's birthday and Holi. And my love for food smothered me just two days into the diet. With every dig into the rich, red velvet birthday cake, an alarm bell rang in my head. "Stop!" said the head. "Go!" said the tummy. And every festival in India has to be dominated by food - mainly sweets - and when you have a family that wants you to be happy … I tried to make up for my indiscretions with exercise. Up at the crack of dawn, I attended my very first yoga class at the Club, but after gruelling sessions with my previous yoga master, this felt very relaxed. I'm also supposed to — yes, supposed to — swim and find a stationary cycle somewhere close by. "Recommended exercises are stationary cycling, swimming and yoga. Brisk walking is not recommended for those who are overweight, as there are chances of knee-joint compression, which may lead to wear and tear on the joint," Dr Chandy says. "Stationary cycling ensures that the body weight is transferred to the seat, thus keeping the knee free from any strain. Swimming is also another exercise that guarantees that the knee joint is kept safe. Yoga asanas help keep the individual active. Sun Salutation is especially good for losing weight." When I meet Dr Chandy in a couple of days for a second consultation, I'm sure there will be no difference in my weight. My only consolation would be that this was a five-day week for me (I started the programme on March 5). And I'll simply blame Holi — not just for eating but (ouch!) also for making me avoid my yoga classes. From gulfnews