How to Live a Healthy and Happy Lifestyle – Part 3 – The 6 Stages of Change
On reaching their hotel, Kusum and her husband left their belongings in their room and went to the reception. Hill hike, Nature trek and Sunset on the beach were on their activity schedule for today. “I can’t wait to get started”, said Kusum’s husband and she couldn’t agree more.
Halfway through the Hill hike, Kusum could feel herself getting breathless. Her husband had tried to stay back with her but she had insisted that he go on. The nature trek was worse. All her joints started aching and she was so tired that she couldn’t enjoy herself anymore.
Finally it was time for the sunset at the beach. With her husband beside her, Kusum looked at the beautiful sunset and realized she wasn’t in shape to do anymore activities tomorrow. They spent the rest of the week in the hotel room and around the resort and her husband was rather disappointed though understanding.
On reaching back home, Kusum started pondering about her health that her husband often urged her to think about. Maybe it was time to do something about it. She would not let the next vacation turn out the same as this one.
Today was a busy day for Rahul. He had a lot of work and he had missed his lunch to make it in time for a meeting. On his way to meet his supervisor Rahul felt a sharp pain in his chest. The pain was getting worse and his vision was getting blurry. The last thing he remembered was his office mates surrounding him and being carried.
The first thing Rahul saw when he woke up was his children. But where were they? This was definitely not their house. A kindly looking woman informed him that she was Dr.Preethi and that he had suffered a minor heart attack but there was nothing to worry about as long as he took care of himself.
His best friend Madhan had picked up his kids from school. His friend sat down after sending his kids to wait outside. “You can’t take care of those who you love if you can’t take care of yourself”, he said calmly.
“I think it’s time to look after myself. No more stalling. I’ll start as soon as I get out of here”, Rahul replied.
Siddharth was exhausted. It had been a long and tiring day. The get together last night did NOT help. He was lagging behind in his work and he felt tired all the way to his bones.
It had been days since he had a proper meal at the proper time and yet he still couldn’t seem to keep up with his workload. He got a call on his booth phone. It was his boss. “Siddharth, could I please see you in my office?”
Sid gulped nervously, “yes sir, I’ll be right there”, he replied.
He had sat down in front of his boss. “What has happened to you Siddharth?
Your performance has been dropping below average and your work pile keeps adding up. If this continues, I’m afraid we’ll have to relieve you from your service to this company. Please make sure it doesn’t happen here after. You may go”, his boss informed him. Siddharth helplessly left the office room.
On the notice board nearby, he noticed a poster. “NEW PLAYERS NEEDED FOR THE COMPANY SOCCER TEAM”. Siddharth made up his mind. He noted down the number and went to his booth to make the call.
Radha was doing her usual chores when the doorbell rang. She opened the door to the smiling face of her best friend Priyanka. Settling down into the sofa, Radha asked,” What are you doing in this area? I thought you moved to a different apartment after your baby was born.”
“Yes, but now I have moved here to the next street and thought I’d stop by. “She looks beautiful. She’s the same age as me and had also recently had her baby but how is it that she looks so fit? ”Radha thought to herself.
Priyanka asked,” Why are you looking at me like that”. Radha confessed. Laughing, Priyanka replied “I had also put on weight after my pregnancy, but isn’t it in our hands to reduce it again? We certainly need to be fit enough to raise our kids don’t we?”
This had Radha thinking. “But how do you have time”? she asked. “It’s all in your mind. If you want to, you will easily be able to put aside some time for your health.
I’m joining a Zumba class in this area. Call me today evening and let me know if you would like to go together”, Priyanka said. After chatting for a while, Priyanka left. Radha thought about her daughter and her weight and decided she was going to call Priyanka.
It was 2 AM and Ajay and his wife were at the hospital. It had all started when Ajay had begun having severe stomach pains in the night. Even after taking a simple stomach pain tablet, he was uneasy in bed.
After a while, the pains started again and were much more unbearable. His wife and he had to immediately drive to the hospital. He had been diagnosed with Stomach Ulcer and High Cholesterol.
The doctor advised him to opt for a healthier diet and regular exercise. On the way back home Ajay glanced at his wife. After all, his doctor’s advice was very much similar to what his wife had been saying all along.
”I am changing your diet from tomorrow. No more eating outside. I will pack lunch for you so you can eat at office. And I am waking you up early in the morning so you can go walking and start exercising”, his wife said calmly.
For once, he didn’t argue with her.
So how are these stories going to end?
Keep reading to find out how these 5 different people from different lifestyles merge.
One small change is all it takes at the end.
These friends of ours are relatable to us at one point or the other and their decisions will impact their lives as well as yours.
After all, any one of them might be you.
Until then, Stay healthy, Think healthy and be healthy!
