Taking Control of My Health
đź’ˇ A healthy person has a thousand dreams, but a sick person has only one.
I wouldn't say I was unhealthy, but I was clearly underweight for my age and height. My BMI was around 15.2, while the healthy range is generally considered to be about 18.5 to 24.9. I didn’t realize it at the time, but when I looked in the mirror, my body was already trying to tell me something.
Growing up, I was very active and spent most of my time outdoors, whether at school or at home. At school, I loved playing volleyball, kabaddi, and kho-kho, and at home we played cricket, ice and water, chain chain, and whatever else we could come up with. I used to run really fast, so I naturally enjoyed games that involved speed and didn’t require much equipment or complicated rules. Those days kept me fit without me even realizing it.
However, on December 14th, during 8th grade, everything changed. I broke my left hand while playing kho-kho at school. Both of my wrist bones were fractured, and I had to undergo surgery where two metal plates were inserted and around 25 stitches were made. After that, the doctors told me not to lift anything heavy or play outdoor games for at least two years. It was a sudden stop to everything I loved.
After this incident, my physical activity dropped completely. I started playing online games for 6–8 hours at a stretch on my phone and laptop, barely taking breaks. My posture got worse, my eating and sleeping schedule became irregular, and slowly my body started to feel weak. Since I was already underweight, I began losing flexibility too. At one point, I couldn’t even touch my toes or sit upright without support. Then COVID hit, and the lockdowns only made things worse. Those habits continued, and before I knew it, they had become my routine for almost 4 years.
In 2022, I visited AIIMS Delhi for my grandmother’s cataract surgery. That visit changed something in me. The hospital was crowded with people of all ages dealing with pain and illness, and seeing that made me realize how much we take our bodies for granted. In that moment, I understood how important it is to take my health seriously.
That was my first wake-up call. A few months later, I got a severe fever and was diagnosed with typhoid. My platelet count dropped very low, and I had to be admitted to the hospital for nearly 15 days. At that time, I felt extremely weak, and even basic tasks like standing up or eating felt exhausting. It was the peak of Delhi summer — 45-50°C outside, yet I felt cold and stayed wrapped in two blankets. My immune system was completely drained. This was the second time after my hand fracture that I was hospitalized, and it was one of the most challenging health experiences of my life.
Lying in that hospital bed, I kept praying to God to cure me and promised myself that I would take my health seriously from that day onward. When I finally returned home, that promise stayed with me. I didn’t want to go back to the way things were. So I slowly began changing my routine — eating better, sleeping on time, and moving my body again. It wasn’t easy at first, because it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and choosing what was right instead of what was easy.
So that’s my story of how I went from being extremely unfit to building a healthier lifestyle.
I’d like to share a few things that helped me the most. If you’re just starting out, these might help you too.
1. Diet
I never really paid attention to what I was eating. Even though I had the habit of eating slowly, I didn’t think much about the food itself. I would just eat whatever was made at home, and if I didn’t feel like eating that, I would go out and get some junk food instead. At that time, I didn’t really understand the importance of food or how much it affected my daily mood and overall well-being.
What really helped me was eating more protein-rich and balanced meals, and paying attention to portion sizes. I try to eat my breakfast well, keep lunch simple, and have a light dinner. And I make sure to eat slowly and chew properly — it makes a big difference.
I don’t avoid junk food completely — I just try to keep it occasional. When I eat out, I enjoy it. The rest of the time, I stay consistent and disciplined with my diet. That balance works well for me.
2. Workout
Before, I believed any kind of physical activity — running, swimming, playing sports — was enough. But over time, I realized that weight training played a big role in helping me get stronger and reduce stress on my joints.
I used to think strength would always come naturally. But I realized that if I wasn’t actively taking care of my body, I would start to feel weaker. So now, building good habits feels like an investment in my future self.
For me, weight training isn’t just about looking fit or muscular. It made my body feel stronger and more capable. When my muscles are stronger, my joints don’t have to take all the stress, and my whole body feels more supported. That’s why I make weight training a part of my routine — I see it as a long-term investment in my body.
3. Recovery
I used to think that working out more would automatically make me stronger and healthier. But I realized that without proper rest, my body felt tired and my progress slowed down. Rest and sleep matter just as much as diet and exercise.
I started taking 1–2 rest days each week, and it made a big difference. Getting enough sleep helped my body recover and absorb the nutrients of the food I was eating and the workouts I was doing.
I’ve realized that health isn’t something you notice when it’s there — you notice it when it’s gone. For me, taking care of my body has become less about chasing fitness and more about simply feeling good and being able to live fully. Small, consistent habits made the biggest difference. If you’re starting your own journey, be patient with yourself. It takes time, but it’s worth it. And your future self will thank you for it.