March 5

Dear Diary,

I met the editor of The Gleaner's Health section, Eulalee Thompson, on March 5, 2009. The meeting was what I expected and much more. I was feeling a bit down on that day because a friend of mine had lost her boyfriend.

The photo session was not bad although I was still in a pensive mood. Ms Thompson and I had a very deep conversation so much so that I missed 'caff' (that is, the cafeteria where we get lunch and supper). But, on the contrary, I was not thinking about what I missed; I was more concerned with how I would modify my eating habits at 'caff'.

March 10

Dear Diary,

On March 10, I met my consultants. I spent the majority of the day with the nutritionist, Dr Suzanne Soares-Wynter. She was very encouraging and had reassuring words for me. Dr Keith Gardner, who will be my fitness consultant, looked at the activities that I was currently engaged in and how to boost and enhance my current exercise programme. I also had a counselling session with Dr Wendel Abel.

March 11

Dear Diary,

Personally, I am feeling so thankful because, as a student, I could not afford this opportunity on my own. I have started modifying my food intake. I have started taking extra servings of vegetables and drinking more water. Persons on campus have been approaching me and giving me the encouragement I need. Being the weight-challenge winner has also given my 'exercise' club a boost.

I hope that this publicity will help me to help someone else who been struggling to make the first step in improving his or her health. Looking forward to the reception I will receive from Jamaicans.

Small, unhealthy habits

March 14-21

Dear Diary,

On Saturday, March 14, I had my second consultation with nutritionist Dr Suzanne Soares-Wynter. That was a day of reckoning. Almost all that I had been doing all my life was unhealthy even when I chose the right foods, they were not in the right quantity. I learnt a great deal about portion control. Most of the protein that we consume, we do not need. She recommended that my vegetable intake be increased (I should have vegetables with all my meals).

We talked about comfort foods and my pattern of eating. I am able to avoid most of the sweets and processed foods, so that was not a big problem. I came to the realisation that it was the small, unhealthy things that over time amount to excess weight.

I have tried the quick fixes before, but now I am charting a new course, where eating healthy is a lifestyle not a diet.

The Sunday after my consultation I went on fasting (I was doing this before the programme). This is the day that I go without food for half the day. This way my body can cleanse itself. My first meal to break my fast was a half plate of raw vegetables, one piece of baked chicken and a slice of yam (complex carbohydrate). Some-one may ask if that amount of food can satisfy me. Well this is what I have learnt, if we eat slower and take time to consume our food then we will be fuller and more satisfied. I have been doing this and it actually works.

On snacking, for me, most of the times I snack due to the late hours that I am up completing an assignment. Dr Soares-Wynter said that there is nothing wrong with snacking but what we snack on. Snacks should be readily available and fruits and nuts are ideal.

March 16

Dear Diary,

Monday was the beginning of the school week and most of my colleagues had seen the article in Gleaner's Health section. The response was mixed from "You don't want to lose any weight" to "Bwoy! Yuh brave to put yuh business in the papers." But the support from my Mico family and my family back home was tremendous. That morning I had no company to exercise with, however I got up and went jogging by myself.

March 17

Dear Diary,

Tuesday, my 'exercise club' had grown. Tuesday afternoon I participated in the cross-campus race for my house ( Lushington) and completed the race and gave my house a point. It was fun and I enjoyed every moment of it. Some of my colleagues whom I encouraged to participate said that they were happy that they did. Persons have asked where I get this confidence from but reflecting on my life and the Afrocentric person that I am, Marcus Gravey said it best, "With confidence you have won the race before you have started, without confidence you are twice defeated."

March 21

Dear Diary,

The week was well spent retraining my body and getting used to eating a meal for 20 minutes. But my biggest fear came when I had to go home for the weekend. I could easily control the environment at school but I didn't know how I would 'fear' at home. However, the family support was still there; my mother had brought almost all the vegetables she could find. I really appreciated that. The week ended well and I am so looking forward to the start of the new week.

Send feedback to yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.