I Went From Size XL To Size M!

Jennifer Lee, 28, successfully decreased her waistline after battling bad cravings and learning self-control. She shares her story with Nur Akmar Yusoff.

“There was a point in my life when I absolutely dreaded going to fancy dinner parties. While everyone else looked radiant in their beautiful dresses, I stood out like a sore thumb in a huge T-shirt and pants. That was the only attire that would fit my 162-centimetre, 80-kilogram figure. “I can’t get into this, do you have a larger size?” was the question I’d always have to ask during my futile trips to the stores. The answer would always be the same: “No, that’s our largest size.” It was disheartening to hear the same response over and over again but it was exactly the kick up the butt I needed.

I wasn’t heavy as a child but when I turned 15, I started to slowly gain weight. I failed to control my eating habits – curry laksa, fried kuey tiao, and fast food were always on the plate and I never missed supper. Such was my passion for food that I became oblivious to my family’s warnings about my growing waistline.

When it became increasingly difficult to squeeze into my clothes, it dawned on me that I had to drop a few pounds. I tried to eat more fruit and cut out my regular suppers but it was difficult to ignore the temptation of nasi lemak and junk food. My self-control just wasn’t there and by the time I chewed on snacks, I’d have forgotten about my diet. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be on a diet?’ my friends would ask me with raised eyebrows as I reached for another round of fried chicken. I could only manage a sheepish smile.

Exercising never worked out for me either. During my school days I loved playing basketball and badminton but once I started working, I couldn’t find the time to exercise anymore. A busy schedule at the hair saloon where I worked meant that I often returned home at eight or 9pm, feeling tired after a long day’s work. Lethargy led to hunger and I quickly wolfed down whatever I could find in the kitchen amidst protests from my parents.

I was upset with myself for failing to change my unhealthy habits. Every time I succumbed to temptation, I kept telling myself that I would go on a diet again but I knew I was lying to myself. I expected to lose weight in a short amount of time without exerting much effort and that was never going to be successful.

I told myself I needed to be patient and started to re-think my strategy. In 2007, weighing 82 kilograms, I decided to embark upon a slower approach to losing weight – I ate smaller meal portions and had healthy snacks in between. I incorporated healthier food into my diet, particularly fruit, which I hardly ever touched before. Salads, oats and wholemeal bread were unfamiliar territory to me but I ate them, albeit somewhat reluctantly!

As I slowly adapted to my new, healthier diet, I found it easier to cut out the cholesterol-fueled meals that I was so often fond of and I stopped having late suppers and junk food. As a result, I got the rewards that I hoped for – I managed to lose about six kilograms in six months for the first time. Needless to say, I was ecstatic and seeing that change motivated me to continue what I was doing.

While I was going through that process, I still couldn’t find time to exercise as I was always occupied with work. That changed earlier this year when my friends persuaded me to jog with them at a nearby park. I’ve never enjoyed jogging before as I found it mundane but I accepted their invitation that day. Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying it, absorbing the beautiful scenery around the park. From that day onwards, I would jog straight after work in the evening once or twice a week. If I finished work late at night, I would pop by my friend’s house and run on her treadmill for 30 minutes.

I cannot pretend that this has been an easy process. My stomach would beg for more food after I exercised, and sometimes I found it difficult to control myself. But once I got used to working out, it became a lot easier to curb my appetite.

I weigh 60 kilograms now and my excursions to the clothing stores have been more enjoyable than before! Gone are the XL clothes that I had grown accustomed to – I am now able to slip into a size M and I can finally purchase dresses that can actually fit me! My friends have been pleasantly surprised by my transformation and often ask me what my secret is. My father’s first impression was less enthusiastic though, as he thought my slim figure was the result of an illness!

As glad as I am to be able to comfortably wear clothes that I could never have worn before, this whole weight loss journey has also been about adopting a healthier lifestyle. I understand that everyone wants to look slim and beautiful but if you take the wrong approach, you’ll end up being less healthy. I’ve tried diet pills and I knew that was the wrong thing to do because I had to run to the toilet every 10 minutes!

Most importantly, don’t stress yourself too much over losing those extra pounds. Determination and discipline is key to successful weight loss but patience is important too. Don’t rush. It’s a long, gradual process but once you see the results you will feel that it’s worth the wait!