HOW TO OVERCOME OBESITY?
Do we recall the movie, “Badhai ho Badhai”? The movie featured Anil Kapoor
playing the role of a fat man in the film. It is to the credit of Anil Kapoor that he
took the plunge to essay the character of an obese person on screen. However,
off screen, Anil Kapoor, the trouper is extremely fit for his age with a chiselled
frame. One can quite imagine him footslogging on the treadmill and pumping
iron to maintain his athletic physique.
That was an Anil Kapoor starrer, a movie where dreams are manufactured and
played out for the benefit of drooling audiences. But there are real life situations
of actors and artistes which pan out quite dramatically differently.
This brings to mind the story of the legendary musician Adnan Sami who was
once quite infamous for his avoirdupois body and massive girth; a fact which is
said to have prompted his wife to desert him.
The situation of Adnan Sami’s weight became quite alarming, so much so that
in June 2006, the multifaceted artiste weighed 230 kilograms (506 lb).
Concerted and dismayed, doctors barely gave Adnan six months more.
The multi talented Adnan, born on 15 August, 1971is an accomplished singer,
musician, pianist, television presenter and actor; his genre of music includes
classical, jazz, pop, rock and fusion. His legions of fans and the industry circles
realised that Adnan Sami, though extremely talented was far too obese, which
became the singular reason that he could not even see his knuckles.
The situation became pretty grave for the consummate artiste when he had to
undergo knee surgery, called lymphedema. Doctors treating him advised
complete bed rest for a period of three long months. But the worst was yet to
come.
He was afflicted by yet another medical disorder called sleep apnoea. Whenever
he lay down his extra bulge began to push against his lungs. This compounded
his misery and the complications in life.
It is a tribute to his robust mind that by adhering to a strict regimen of diet and
exercise, Adnan lost 167 kg (319 lb) weight within a period of 16 months.
The series of medical misdemeanours and misadventures metamorphosed and
transfigured the mind of the artiste, most famously known for his song ‘Lift
Karaa De’; maybe the artiste was subsumed by the lyrics of the talismanic
song.
The man fabled for his extraordinary musical talent, achievements and rather
infamous for his obesity, now became an icon and an inspiration for all fat and
obese individuals across the spectrum who were desperate to shed several
pounds.
There is a popular adage, “Obesity is not because it runs in the family, it is
because no one runs in the family.” Obesity is derived from the Latin obesitas,
meaning “stout, fat or plump.”
Eat badly and be damned. According to the Surgeon General of the
US, obesity today is officially an epidemic; it is arguably the most pressing
public health problem we face, costing the health care system an estimated $90
billion a year. Three of every five Americans are overweight; one of every five
is obese according to Wikipedia.
However, obesity is not a new age disease, as is the general perception. It has
been discussed extensively in ancient Ayurvedic texts. Sthaulya is an Ayurvedic
term used for the medical imbalance or disorder called obesity. This pestilence
is caused by over- accumulation of fatty cells under the skin and around certain
internal organs of the body.
Obesity invariably leads to various other ailments; diabetes, blood pressure,
heart attacks, strokes, different kinds of carcinogenic ailments, reduced
longevity, premature ageing, low sexual drive, reduced sexual performance,
excessive sweating, breathlessness on slightest exertion, heavy breathing
patterns, excessive hunger and/or thirst, loss of vitality and most significantly
low self-esteem.
It should be abundantly clear in the minds of any obese individual that there are
no short cuts to lose weight. The procedure is like a tapasya.
Just as an alcoholic or a drug addict should eschew quotidian drinking or
substance consumption to remain sober and clean, an obese individual needs to
follow a disciplined regimen of reduced food intake and regular exercise to
ameliorate his /her condition. The mind needs to be trained to display
exemplary understanding, will power and patience and unflinchingly follow the
schedule laid down by doctors.
There are several Ayurvedic massages done with herbal oils which expunge
toxins from the body; follow Sveda Karma (sweat bath), regularly partake of the
prescribed medicines. An obese person may be desirous to have a size zero
figure like Kareena Kapoor Khan, but it is more important to be health
conscious instead of being figure conscious.
An obese person would need some dosage of salts and protein, but there needs
to total reduction of carbohydrates, fried and junk foods and other fanciful
items besides reduced intake of refined sugar. An absolute no to alcohol and
smoking (a real taboo) as these substances only complicate health matters.
Obesity is greatly linked to hereditary patterns prevalent in families. To reverse
the process is gradual and painstaking, but worth the effort. It is salutary to take
long walks, eat moderately and attempt yoga, pranayama and the unique
rhythmic breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya as these techniques expatriate
the blight from the body. However the trigger for change lies in the mind. Only
the human mind subsumes a person towards obesity or helps them gravitate
towards a changed lifestyle.
“To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to
all, one must first discipline and control one’s mind; if a man controls his mind
he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtues will naturally
come to him,” said Gautama Buddha .