by Malti Bhojwani

Veggies and protein only and no fruit except for strawberries. This means no rice, roti, cereals or bread, no cake, no chocolate, no sweetened drinks or beverages. Replace all that green tea – the more the better. 

Key 1: Drink
Unsweeten your beverages, sweeten your smile. Yes green tea, black coffee or coffee with a dash of milk. Only have dairy in your beverage or a small serving of yogurt if you have to. I take calcium tablets when I am on this unreasonable bootcamp. It is not as hard as you think to get used to unsweetened beverages. After a week of it, you actually start to enjoy the taste of the tea or coffee without sugar, I for one, cannot drink sweetened coffee anymore. I still love my Indian chai sweetened, so I just don’t drink it when I am on this mission. I have a tea bag in hot water and add a drop of slim milk to it. Stock up on flavoured teas and infusions to sip on when you feel like a snack or a “tea-break”. I also have coconut water once a day and preferably before I go for a workout to keep me nourished enough with the energy and minerals I need.

Key 2: Indulgences
Limit wine and alcohol to once a week if you must and a maximum of 2.5 drinks. Replace and camouflage with soda and lime to keep friends at bay and remember, you don’t need to “keep up” with them. Say no to desserts. If you really must, cut a piece of chocolate into four pieces and have a tiny taste once a day. Keep a jar of almonds and walnuts handy and when you are hungry, have up to five a day; that’s five nuts in total, not five jars, in case you were wondering.

Key 3: Eat
Veggies and protein only and no fruit except for strawberries. This means no rice, roti, cereals or bread, no cake, no chocolate, no sweetened drinks or beverages. Replace all that green tea – the more the better. Drink a lot of water and green tea to replace the incessant hand-to-mouth habit. Keep a jug of water with mint leaves or even lime handy and pour yourself a glass with ice when you want to have a nice fresh “drink”.

Key 4: Exercise
Walk everyday for 45 minutes and practise 45 minutes of weight training, yoga or pilates as well. Add to this 40 stomach crunches twice a day. The walking should be kept to a minimum of five days a week for at least 30 minutes even after bootcamp to avoid having to sign up again in a few months.

Key 5: Sleep
Get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Check your quantities and sleep a little hungry every night. Get over the old childhood habit of needing to eat enough so you won’t wake up in the middle of the night. If you do wake up hungry, take a sip of water and go back to sleep. When you wake up in the morning, sit with your knees up and feet flat on the bed and do your pelvic–floor exercise for five to 10 minutes, holding in the entire time that you inhale then release to just 70 per cent as you exhale. This is a great time to focus on your breath and just be. If you don’t know what this is, imagine the sensation when you are trying to pee, and notice how the sides of your lower abdomen contract, keep that contraction from 40 to 70 to 90 per cent as you breathe in and out.

Key 6: Think 
Think slim, act slim, walk slim. Try on all your favourite clothes and envision yourself fitting into them nicely again. It is not enough to fit, you want to look like a million dollars in them. Throw out anything you don’t wear anymore and keep a few empty hangers in your wardrobe to remind yourself of the upcoming rewards. Go window-shopping and promise to reward yourself at the accomplishment of your goal with a beautiful dress or outfit. Ask the shop to put it on hold for you if possible.

Key 7: Reward
Stick to it no mater what, be unreasonable, people around you will get uncomfortable, but if this is what you want, then stick to it. If you slip and forget to use any of these keys, don’t beat yourself up. Just remind yourself that you are creating your body every minute of the day, and you can always get back on mission. This is not one for the weak-hearted and you will find yourself coming up with reasons and justifications and they will all sound very reasonable, but if this is truly what you want, then put on your blinkers and make it happen for yourself. The rewards will be more than just the body you desire, but it will be evidence of your own commitment, dedication and the re-enforcement of the value of your “word”. “I say it, so it is!”

Key 8: Set yourself up for success
Take notice of all the times in a day when you are most indulgent and change your routine to fit your weight goal. If you are the kind who can’t watch TV without snacking, then either switch to the green tea and water, or just don’t watch TV at all. Yes, it is harsh, but we are talking about being unreasonable. If you can’t go out without drinking, then don’t go out, if you can’t watch a movie without popcorn, then don’t watch movies. Getting it? Replace these activities with walking on a treadmill while you watch your favourite shows, or go outdoors for a walk. Meet your friends at a dance or yoga class, do whatever it takes. I’m not saying you can’t socialise or go out for a nice meal, but order a small appetizer or salad and stick with a glass of fresh lime soda, unsweetened or salted of course!

“Homeostasis will prevent our body from making drastic changes and maintain stability in our lives even if it is detrimental to us. This means that even if the change we are making is extremely good for us, our bodies will resist this change. Homeostasis is the main factor that stops people from changing their habits because our bodies view change as dangerous unless it is very slow, of immediate gratification, instant success, and fast, temporary relief, all of which lead in exactly the wrong direction.” 
– George Leonard

When you understand this simple principle, it becomes easier to stick to the practice.

This is what I do when I have crossed my maximum weight after I have ignored the warning bells, the tipping scale or unhealthy lifestyle for too long. Ideally, I stay well within a two kilo buffer and don’t need to resort to this self-imposed bootcamp, but I am human and I love indulging, so sometimes, every few years, I need to get really unreasonable with my weight. I have to stress that I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. Please consult with your doctor if you have any doubt. Be aware that our bodies will tell us to eat more, because of homeostasis and wanting to retain the status quo, so be discerning and at the same time careful. You don’t want to fall ill or faint, at the same time, you don’t want this fear to keep you where you are. If you do find this too much and you feel unwell, please see your doctor – be safe. Your safety and well-being is your responsibility.

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