We ate well in Shanghai, but I haven’t gained weight since my return. In fact, I lost another 300 grams and have more or less reached my target weight, which I set for myself many years ago. My BMI is now a healthy 20.9, which is mid-range between ‘underweight’ and ‘overweight’ according to our [Asian BMI calculator](http://www.hpb.gov.sg/uploadedFiles/HPB_Online/Health_Tools/bmicalculator.swf).
It was only in the past year, with the stress of doing an accelerated MBA, finding a meaningful career, plus the scare of having high cholesterol (which runs in the family), when I started to exercise regularly and control my diet. So my weight started going down. It also helped a lot that my family decided to lose weight together, so our dinners were more healthy and portion sizes were controlled. And we kept each other in check.
Beyond BMI, I am also looking at my overall body fat composition and muscle toning. My new weighing scale tells me my current weight, fat and water composition, and also lists my previous readings so I can see the trend.
You see, the story isn’t just about losing weight. I don’t mind gaining a bit of weight if it’s due to muscles toning up at the gym. I do a bit of weight training sometimes, after work. I am also going to make a conscious effort to drink more water, so any weight loss is not due to dehydration. While I’ve cut down on portion sizes, I don’t skip meals and starve myself. So any weight loss of mine is relatively gradual but sustainable.
Lately I haven’t had time to go to the gym, but I usually take the stairs at work if we only need to climb 1 or 2 floors. And instead of calling up colleagues, I walk briskly to their cubicles and have a face-to-face conversation, which is usually more effective as well. (It helps that I’m a borderline, people-loving ENFJ)
Parallel thoughts: Weight loss results are comparable to balance sheets results. Short term gains like crash diets are like cost-cutting measures that may reap small rewards initially. But if the fundamentals are not sound and sustainable, the tendency is to revert to previous practices or in fact overcompensate for it. Similarly, if poor personal habits / organizational culture are firmly engrained, it will take a long time to improve.
So I hope any ‘shareholders’ in my personal stock can be assured that, while I may not give the largest, most immediate dividends, rewards will continue to be generated, regardless of the prevailing market environment 😉