It was mid-March, nearly three months into the 2024, and Martins found himself reflecting on a major decision he had planned to pursue at the start of the year. He had resolved to lose weight but had yet to take the first step. The realisation hit him hard as he had gained a significant amount of weight, and the indulgence of the festive season certainly hadn’t helped.
Martins was a fun-loving person who relished exploring different cuisines, often thinking, “What if I never get the chance to try this food again?” Instant gratification had become his enemy. At the start of January, after all the December indulgences, he decided to join a gym. However, life threw a wrench in his plans as he lost his job.
The sudden unemployment sent Martins into a downward spiral. He stopped taking care of himself, withdrew from his social circle and family and didn’t inform them about his situation. As he is someone who has been perceived as one of the ‘big boys’ who always had things under control, admitting his problems felt out of the question. He found consolation in binge-eating to cope with the emotional turmoil and anxiety of losing what he once considered his dream job. His days now mostly spent on his couch, overthinking his problems, his savings was running out and he couldn’t see a way out of his situation.
By March, Martins was at his lowest. A recent job interview that he didn’t pass forced him to confront the consequences of his weight gain. Backaches and knee pain had become part of his reality, and his agility felt like a shadow of his once cheerful persona. He knew it was time to act as he was now aware of the decline in his physical and mental health.
Taking Control
Martins, realised that to tackle his weight issues, he first needed to address the factors that had contributed to his current state. Sitting at home and overthinking his circumstances had done him no favours.
He began reaching out to close friends, this was something he hadn’t done in a long while, as he had already shut them out when they tried to reach out to him, telling them he was fine, as he feared being a burden to them. He started opening up about his emotional struggles and the impact of losing his job. His friends though taken aback by his new appearance and news, were supportive, he was encouraged and was connected to opportunities that could move him forward. Through these conversations, he was connected to a therapist who guided him in processing his emotions and regaining clarity.
Small Steps, Big Progress
Martins, acting on his decision to make a change, found therapy became a source of hope and guidance in processing his emotions, recognising the unhealthy ways he has been coping with the change that happened. He started setting realistic goals and achievable steps to reclaim his self back.
He began with daily 10-minute walks, which was one of these steps, gradually increasing the duration as his stamina improved. These exercises helped declutter his mind, he was able to think more clearly as regards the next thing for him instead of just overthinking it. Eventually, he built up the confidence to register at a gym. He also made significant dietary changes, opting for more fruits and fewer junk foods, prioritising a balanced and nutritious diet. Instead of going for junk foods when emotionally down, he filled it with taking walks.
The journey wasn’t easy. There were days of doubt and moments of struggle, but Martins remained patient with himself. By the end of June, his efforts began to pay off. Not only had he shed some weight, but he also felt healthier and more energized. His perseverance and consistency had a chain reaction beyond his physical health; through his friends, he secured a new job.
A Renewed Sense of Self
Looking back, Martins was proud of how far he had come. His weight had dropped, and he was still working on it. His back pain and knee pain had subsided, and he was starting to feel more like himself, feeling healthier and more energetic. Martins felt grateful for giving himself a chance, being consistent, and for his friends. His new job, though, wasn’t perfect, but it gave him motivation to pursue his career goals and become more intentional. He wasn’t there yet, but he acknowledged how far he had come.
Martin’s experience isn’t unique. Like him, there are times in our lives we experience setbacks, which can predispose us to a decline in our outlook about life, leading us to cope in unhealthy ways, but Martin’s story presents himself as a reminder that consistency in making necessary change in ourselves and focusing on what we can control can lead to transformative outcomes.
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