What do I have to lose?

I laugh, I cry.

I smile and I try.

I stumble, I fall.

I procrastinate and I stall.

I love, I hate.

I move steps forward, I take two backwards.

I feel silly, I feel great.

I am fine.

Sometimes I pine.

I walk a mile.

I have reason to smile.

I am happy.

So what, if there is strife?

What do I have to lose? I have my life.

My journey has started well

Fingers crossed I had embarked on my journey to fitness. I had heard horror stories of sore muscles, aching and paining joints, severe diets… scared the hell out of me.

First few days I went to the gym each day like one enters a Dentist’s chambers, expecting to scream with pain. To be sore all over with aches and pains. I belied my expectations.

Was I plain lucky or was it my lifestyle of walking and exercising that was holding me in good stead? It was definitely my lifestyle. I had done a decent job on myself. A pat on my back…

I soon fell in love. With fitness. With the idea of staying fit. On my terms though. What else? How can I let this be a one-sided affair?

 I am still going strong. 

More on my love. Soon. 

My tryst with fitness continues…

I started dedicated exercises. But there was still a big big hiccup in my dream. I lacked sports shoes!! Unimaginable for some. Yes, I did get a lot of laughs.😀

I started with the closed shoes that I had, but it had to be sports shoes. A simple task, anyone would say. Not for me, no. Simply because I had never worn sports shoes and I had no idea what to look for!!! I have a problem with closed shoes. Imagine my mortification when I was told that sports shoes are the only acceptable gear for a gym.

I scoured many brands. Asked questions. I wanted a pair that was comfortable, suited my needs and was kind on my pocket (most important). I managed to get just the pair a few trips later. Voila!

How many steps I walked wearing different pairs, how I fretted over the shoe heels and colour (gone are the days of simple choices of black, grey and white), how many mirrors I preened into, how many times my eyes popped hearing the price of a shoe (shoes don’t even have resale value!!)!! 

Well, there is a first time for everything!!

My tryst with fitness

My mind told me I needed to be fit. Ok, just a wee bit fitter. And, I was telling myself (rather talking aloud to myself!) that I was in good shape. I did have some trouble spots. So what?? Why should I join a gym? Too many, I had just too many questions and answers.😎

My mind was playing games, as our mind is wont to. Now did I submit to my mind or my lazy self? The nagging monster that my mind is, forced me to listen and think. I deliberated. Ok, maybe a wee bit much.

Fear of twisting a few muscles and harming my back was at loggerheads with images of an hour-glass, perfectly curvaceous me.  But even such amazing images could not shut my ‘What if’ questions.

I decided to take the plunge, the ‘what if’ questions notwithstanding. Gave the fee. No looking back now if I knew better than wasting my money.

And, I landed at a gym.

My love affair started…

Story time...

I love stories. A well crafted story transports me into the world of its characters. Such is my fascination with stories that they could be in any form - written, spoken, enacted, or presented as a dance drama, they all enthrall me. Give me a good story, I am game for it.

I live with the characters of a story while I am going through it. I laugh and cry (No, I don't sob in a movie) with them, hurt when a favourite character hurts, feel the thrill, feel happy on victories, and a wee bit sad sometimes on failures. I am not averse to taking inspiration from characters. I sometimes also try to understand the reasons behind the actions of the characters. Makes me feel a part of a story.

If there is technology involved in the storytelling, I just might fall for it. I enjoyed 3D movies. But, my first 4D movie had me mesmerised.

Why am I so? Honestly, I don't know. I don't care. That's how I am. I simply love a good story.

Stories help me leave behind my worries and tensions. A good story takes me into the world of its reality - its intrigue, romance, love, smiles and laughter, success and failure, life lessons, and more. Stories have so much to offer, it's almost uncanny sometimes.

I love them even when they help me understand something deeper. Like tales from mythology. Those tales have layers of stories about who we were, who we are, and why. They are riveting accounts of the society that we formed and are inherently engrossing for the reason. It is a great stimulant to the mind and heart to know how we have changed, and what are the good, bad and maybe ugly of our existence. Mythological tales spur the mind to go back for the good that we had. Of course, without a twist in those tales by vested interest.

As for me, as I said, I love stories. Always will. They are my truest friends.