Trolling the Cholesterol

God has been witness to the ferocity with which I’ve fought the urge to exercise. Multiple failed New Year resolutions, at least four ‘donations’ to the neighbourhood gym (it’s high time we start getting tax exemption for gym memberships), countless taunts (thanks mom!) and innumerable sighs & heartburns inside the trial rooms (fit people will probably never understand this pain) – nothing worked hard enough for me to workout. And then four months back, in a typically filmy style, my doctor looked at my lipid profile test results (get it done once a year after you turn 30, trust me!) and told me “Tumhe dua ki nahin, dawa aur exercise ki zarurat hai”. My body was getting trolled by high cholesterol and it was high time I strolled against it. Gym was no longer an option for me, so I hit the road. Quite literally.

We usually dismiss the things that we can’t understand or appreciate. In the initial few days, I kept ranting about how waking up early is highly over-rated and unfairly romanticized. I mean what is the fun in resisting the urge to snooze the alarm, waking up at an ungodly hour, trying one’s luck against the temperamental neighbourhood dogs and go out for a walk (I could call it a jog, but that would be lying). But every time the devil in me told me to stop, the angel showed me the cholesterol figures and coaxed me into going that extra mile. My wife even gifted me a cycle on my 33^rd birthday (talk about midlife crisis!) and motivated me to add a bit of cycling to my regime. Call it acclimatization or good old Stockholm Syndrome, I eventually made peace with my morning routine.

Slowly but surely, I could see myself going farther than I’ve ever gone before. My first 5K (walk, not run) was a thrilling achievement for me. Eventually I was confident enough to mix a bit of running in the walk. Of course, the morning routine had to be supplemented by dietary restraint throughout the day. I didn’t do anything drastic; just removed all the meals I had...errr.. in-between meals. So, there was no more room for the evening samosas, bhajiyas, sev puris etc. After all, “Balidaan to dena hoga”, right? Things really hit the next level of euphoria when I started getting compliments from people about looking fitter and leaner. Tightening the belt was never this gratifying.

But I was still wary of all my ‘accomplishments’. After all, this would amount to nothing if the cholesterol remained out of control and I continued to be under medication. After 4 months of regular workout and walking away from the sinful snacks, I got one more test done. Voila!! The cholesterol levels are down and the doctor put me off medication temporarily - provided I continue to manage my lifestyle changes.

The battle may have been won, but the war continues. The lifestyle changes must remain consistent and the tests need to become an annual affair. My true agnipariksha will be during the upcoming festive season. Saying no to the modaks of Ganesh Chaturthi, the cheese nan and papdi no lot of Navratri, and the ghughras and mathiyas of Diwali – I will have to continue walking the road less taken. The pursuit of wellness is similar to the pursuit of happiness – a never-ending journey where the road is more important than the destination.

In Memoriam: Jet Airways

In a world where everything changes, Jet was a constant – at least for me; at least till yesterday. The first flight of my life was on a Jet (circa 1995-96) from Baroda to Mumbai. I was a precocious 10-year old enamoured by the idea of my first flight… and more importantly, I was looking forward to the meal!

And what an experience it was! A tray of food accompanied with steel cutlery – a bowl of cut fruits, a cupcake, a plastic cup for tea or coffee; all served with a smile by a team dressed impeccably. I hardly remember the take-off and the landing, but I remember that meal. I also remember stuffing the cupcake and that steel butter knife in my bag for posterity. I also remember my uncle looking at the stash and remarking sarcastically that there must also been have a tray to take away and me thinking in dismay “oh shucks! What a miss!”

Since then, there were a number of flights taken and a decent number of miles flown. Many competitors came and were put to use – Kingfisher had a lovely air crew (personally chosen by Mr. Mallya, no less) and some seriously good food; Indigo had quirky and smart messaging across the flight (though they were horribly stingy with that exorbitant sandwich and cup noodles); there was also this one (and sadly only one) experience with Emirates that involved a fair bit of high spirits. But Jet was always special. Jet was always a full-service airline that dispensed its service well. Whenever the budget permitted and the stars aligned, it was the chosen one and it almost never disappointed.

It is rather unfortunate that constancy as a virtue is seldom given its due. Also, unfortunate that eulogies are almost always kinder and more eloquent than testimonials. Oh well… Off you fly into that great big blue sky, Jet. You will be remembered, as firsts often are.