I am 20 years old. I have recently done B.A. I belong to an upper middle class family and I have four siblings.
Salaam Guru,
I am 20 years old. I have recently done B.A. I belong to an upper middle class family and I have four siblings. I am the eldest. My parents got me engaged last year while I was studying. The proposal was so good that they couldn’t say no to it. My fiancé is a doctor and is well settled in USA. I am going to be married in July, and soon after my wedding I will go to USA. Guru, my problem is my weight. Actually my face is very beautiful but I am a bit on the plump side. My fiancé likes me very much but he wants me to look smart. I promised him that I would lose weight. Now time is running fast. Only six months are left to my wedding and I haven’t lost a single pound. I am 5 feet 4 inches and my weight is 65 Kg. I need to lose 5 kg to look slim. I am very fond of eating and I don’t know how to resist cold drinks, pizza, burgers and those yummy brownies and chocolates. I am in the middle of my wedding preparations. What should I do?
Chubby Bride
Dear Chubby Bride,
You are actually not fat as according to your height your weight is fine. But you are on the borderline. If you keep on eating junk food and drinking colas then soon you will become fat. Nature has blessed you with a charming face and good height, now the rest is up to you. If you really want to look slim and smart then first you need to change your eating habits. I won’t advice you to go on a crash diet. It only helps temporarily in losing weight. You should opt for a healthy diet which has long lasting effects. You must start by taking good breakfast in the morning. Take low fat milk and boiled egg. Eat fresh fruit like apple or orange around 12 noon as snack. For lunch go for steamed vegetable with two slices of bran bread or green salads. Try to take tea without sugar. Stay away from oily and bakery stuff. Have a packet of ‘channas’ and wheat biscuits beside you if you have some cravings for munching. You have to say no to fizzy drinks, pizza and chocolates. I know it won’t be easy for you but whenever there is a temptation, just control your urge by telling your brain that these things may ‘kill’ your looks. Dinner should be light. You can go for barbecued food like chicken ‘tika’ or grilled fish. Try to avoid chapatti and rice as much as you can. And yes, exercise and walking is a must. Just follow this healthy regimen and glow on your wedding day. Good luck!
Dear Guru,
I am a 14-year-old boy. I study in class nine in an English medium school. I belong to a lower middle class family. We live in a small house in a low category housing scheme in Karachi. My mother stitches clothes and my father works in an upscale restaurant in a posh locality as a waiter. I have two younger sisters. They both go to school. Guru, I love my parents, but I feel very embarrassed in front of my colleagues when they proudly talk about their parents. They are all not rich but at least their parents have decent jobs. I try my best to avoid the subject. My parents feel proud of the fact that they are sending their son to a good school. They even bought me a computer on my last birthday. Guru, I feel very guilty of my cheap thoughts about them. What should I do?
Embarrassed Son
Dear Embarrassed Son,
You are blessed to have such loving parents who work tirelessly in a bid to give you a good life and future. I think you should feel proud of them. I don’t understand why you feel embarrassed in front of your class-fellows. Have you ever thought that because of them you are able to study and can mingle in the educated crowd? If they wanted they could have sent you to a government school or they could have kept you illiterate and told you to earn. Then you also might have ended up as a worker or a waiter. You must be grateful to your parents who have given you this opportunity. Just remember, your parents are your identity. If you feel ashamed of them, it means you are ashamed of yourself. Get out of your complex, boy, and be proud of the fact that whatever your father makes is his hard earned money.
Good luck!
