Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Ash you like it

Image courtesy entertainment.in.msn.com

I wish I had the same friends and well-wishers that Aishwarya has. It’s been over five months and the lady has yet to shed her post-natal fat. Yet all I hear is applause for letting nature take its course and bravado for choosing to spend time with her baby instead of sweating it out in the gym. When questioned about her larger than life appearance at Cannes, Ms Bachchan proclaimed that she’d rather be “healthy” and is no mood to listen to people’s recommendation when it comes to dieting.

Personally I have no problems with Ash flaunting her flab in the tents she wears. In fact I am also happy for Abhishek for getting more than he bargained for.
 
My problem is why weren’t you there to defend me, when I had started looking like Dolly Bindra’s distant cousin during my pregnancy. My “alleged prettiness” was referred to in the past tense and I was branded a moti for no fault of mine. By my last trimester, I couldn’t see my feet and my feet couldn’t see the sky. I was waddling like a penguin and even my Mom (after a lifetime of accusing me of being too thin) had started sniggering at my new shape. My clothes refused to accommodate me and I refused to recognize myself in the mirror. Things took a turn for worse when a heavily pregnant me was asked by sweet little girl in my school – Didi, are you married?


How dare she assume that I am this fat! I mumbled to myself as I shed copious tears for my lost vanity.

The next few weeks whenever I met strangers, I made sure that I acquainted them with my marital status before disclosing my name. Guess what! I am married. By the way, I am Purba.

So you can imagine how desperate I was to reunite with my lost slenderness. So desperate that she tried combining pranayam with her labour pains. So desperate that the day she popped out her baby girl, she was on her feet, pacing up and down the hospital corridor.

Barely five months into my mommy avatar, when my well wishers and friends (the same ones who were calling me fat) started showing concern at my lack of weight, I finally sighed with relief. Why aren’t you fat? Are you sure you’re eating right! And I would reward them with a Meira Kumar smile, while my heart would somersault with joy.

Did I do it for others? No, I did it for myself. I wanted a fit and fabulous me to enjoy my motherhood. It’s not as if I put myself through a punishing regime and survived on lettuce. I just ate sensibly, made sure my baby’s leftovers went down the drain instead of finding their way to my stomach and did some moderate exercise. It helped that I had age on my side. It certainly helped that my daughter was quite a handful and made me chase her like a wild goose.

I am not the kind of person who’ll make fun of someone’s obesity. But I’ll definitely not be consoling her saying it’s okay to be fat…it’s okay to let go! Motherhood is not the be all and end of all moment in a woman’s life. Don’t take refuge in now that I have fulfilled my purpose in life, I can let go. I’d rather spend time with my baby than waste time doing tiresome cardio. Nope, it doesn’t work this way. Your me time is as important as your us time. Your concern for fitness doesn’t make you a lesser mom.

The longer you keep the extra inches, the more attached they become to your frame. The older you become, the more tough it becomes to work it off. Yes, it’s as simple as that.

So let’s not glorify Aishwarya’s plus size. Let’s not confuse her lack of concern with bravado. Because any decent obstetrician/gynae will tell you that chubby is not healthy. Many doctors train you not to put on too much weight during your pregnancy, and to lose it soon after childbirth. I said no to all the ghee laden ladoos that my Mom tried to force down my throat. And if you do enjoy tucking in, be responsible enough to work it off pronto.

Just remember you are as important as your child. Your body needs as much caring as your baby. And if you can’t take care of yourself, how will you take care of your baby?

Aishwarya deserves a place under the sun but certainly not for her chubbiness. Because flab is not brave, it is unhealthy.

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126 comments:

  1. Darn right! But then each to his/her own. I feel that she should be given space to make her own choices. I dont like the press she gets because of her weight ... its kind of judgemental

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    1. Precisely - don't make her the butt of jokes but don't put her on a pedestal either.

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  2. Bah...let her do what she wants to. I fail to understand why everyone is talking about her so much. She could never act to save her own life, but still is called an actress. Our media has nothing better to do.
    Anyway, I am trying to imagine you fat. Tun Tun but with your face on the body. Quite an interesting image.

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    1. Because we are celebrity fixated country.

      Yes..I looked very interesting.

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    2. Hahaha! Tun Tun Purba! ROFL! Snow Leopard, u r so funny! Purba, me too imagining u ..Tun Tun Mausi! :p

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    3. Ha! I used to waddle like a penguin.

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  3. Purba, I feel it is best to let a person decide what he/she wants to do with their post partum weight. For some, it takes years to lose. Not all can simply get back into shape within five months. I feel we are being way too harsh on Aishwarya. While one whole group is plainly jealous of all the attentions she hogers, there is another group that goes saying she is deeming motherhood to unhealthy fat. I don't think she deserves any news to be spoken about her at all. She is just another one of those woman who made a baby. Hardly, a deal.

    I opine thin/not fat is a huge fashion statement for many( yes, it is healthy and that's why I refuse brownies). A body structure depends on too many things to generalise!

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    1. In a celebrity fixated nation like ours anything a star does makes it to the front pages. He/she unfortunately is held as a role model for many. You and I may laugh about it and wonder why such a big deal is made about it but the fact is scores of men and women emulate them.

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  4. Lol..don't worry, within a month, she'll give some zillion bucks to some dietician/nutritionist/jamloo baba/plastic surgeon type guy who'll do some mumbo jumbo and she'll come out slim and trim, owing her new shape to her extraordinary fitness regime, and then we can all go back to making fun of Rakhi Sawant or other sensible people :D

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    1. Ha! I wish we could move beyond celebrities. There are people far deserving of our attention and time.

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    2. Very true Ana Treek :) Lol..

      Poor Shilpa Shetty and Lara Dutta who did not get the limelight just because this is Ash phase. Or may be they are happy that media is not talking too much about them..

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  5. ppl are so wellah these days,they just need some news or topic to start and they shall make a mountain out of mole.whats the big deal if aishwarya has gained some weight? .If you are too soft ,they shout we can't hear you. If you are too loud ,they say Do Not Disturb.karein to karein kya ?

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    1. You need to be thick skinned to be a celebrity and survive.

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  6. um.. divided opinion in here. yeah, i get it that fat people shouldn't be abused. and hey, if someone chooses to not diet and is comfortable in their own skin being fat, and as long as they don't abuse their heavyweight figure to push through and squish ppl, im cool.

    it's their life and we have no right to say what's wrong or right for them if it's no immoral, illegal, blah.

    ash being plump hurts me though. since we know she can get out of all that excess.

    anyways, interesting post. and lol at the meira kumar smile!
    thank you!

    ps- im a skinny anorexic. =P

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    1. Ha! glad you clarified. And may I add, lucky you!

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  7. Purba, I believe it is one's own business alone what they like to do with their body. All this hype about being fat is very unhealthy especially for a new mother. Who is to decide when and how much weight she can and wants to reduce? I had a friend who was so depressed because she was slim, gained weight after her baby and then hated to look at herself in the mirror when her son was just about 6 months old. I consoled her that she will reduce weight, that she does not need to gym. She needs to nurse, take brisk walks and eat healthy. She needed motivation and encouragement in that vulnerable point in her life. Of course, most of us will lose the weight sooner or later. If I knew you back then,I'd have said the same to you :). Each phase of life is meant to be enjoyed. Who will understand that more than women and mothers themselves. I feel deeply saddened that with our nasty comments and even nastier thinking, we are driving our post-partum depression inflicted mommies to deeper depression. I concede your point that staying healthy is good, but not all thin people are healthy especially those moms starving themselves after delivery when they need more energy to look after themselves and her baby. All this obsession with slim is beautiful is a psychological disease.

    And that friend of mine lost her weight and is back to being slim within a couple of years of having her baby. I have bounced back to shape after both babies within one year each time. I will always encourage other women that they can do it, and it is okay if they are plump for some time. Sorry for the long comment but I feel very deeply about this. I agree with Arch above, losing or gaining weight is dependent on way too many factors. Let's not generalize by saying insulting things to every fat person. It just ends up making them more miserable.

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    1. I did not expect applause for this post, in fact I wrote this knowing it will ruffle a few feathers. I have never believed in starvation because it invariably ends up making you pile on inches.

      But the fact is the more active you are, the more easily you lose weight. And a new mother is doing herself no good by carrying all that excess weight. It makes her feel lethargic and adds to her depression.

      Of course we all have different metabolic rates and genes that make it easier/difficult to shed. But denial will not do you any good.

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    2. You and I don't believe in starvation, but we know that many women take that route or that of insane diets. And, we cannot judge that she is not active or that she is in denial or any other woman for that matter just because they look fat :). Trust me, she has it easier. The day she decides she will have loads of people at her disposal to make her new and shining in a matter of days. It is other "normal" women who have to suffer from loads of expectations who pay the price for it. Anyhow, we can debate till the cows come home :). The sarcastic barbs were vintage Purba, loved them as always :)

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    3. Mwaah...I hate arguing, especially when they happen to be blogger-friends :-)

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  8. I think it's okay for a woman to focus on her baby if she wants to, I fitted into my jeans the day I got back from the hospital (6th day after delivery) and got a picture taken and was sure nothing would change and I would remain by vain, 'praan jaye par style naa jaye' self, but realised after that, that although I didn't gain any weight - but I didn't care how I looked, not because I was unhappy, but because there was this huge, adorable distraction, and this distraction did need me and I wanted to not care for how I looked for a while. Grooming was neglected, although I was very active with the baby. For Aishwarya - I am sure she would lose weight when she feels upto it, a short break for this big change in her life is fine.

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    1. LOL! I didn't even get time to comb my hair. I spent most of my day in a frumpy dress, smelling of her bodily discharges.

      I feel when it comes to taking out time for fitness, it all boils down to priority. If you want it, you will make it happen.

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  9. Ash must have tried to get in shape before Cannes anticipating media attention....but with hormonal upheavals it aint easy. We mothers know it all. Ash could be back soon..all svelte and sexy..or she could announce her second pregnancy...and revel in her rolly polly frame for some more time..Good Luck to her.

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    1. Ash is always in news - for reasons right or wrong.

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  10. I feel people should just let others be and not be too judgmental...cause no one knows what the other has been through. If Aishwarya is happy with her weight...it is her choice entirely. Also the myth of being slim is being healthy has to be removed. I have seen very thin people undergoing surgery and some people who are 'FAT' have lived long happy lives.The person has to be FIT not thin.

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    1. Unfortunately the waist,hip ratio is still used as an indicator of health.

      How we define slim/fat is a matter of perception. Not every overweight individual can be considered fat and not every slim person, fabulously fit.

      I personally know many fit and fabulous curvy individuals :-)

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  11. I understand the practical difficulty on losing weight if you allow that "extra" to stick for too long. That is a very real problem in this figure-crazy world, specially the world Ash lives in. I heard awful name-calling around Ash-aunty and what not. I kept thinking how much she must be suffering. It is not easy from being one of the world's most beautiful woman to being called "fat." Yes, she has friends but she also has papparazzi waiting for horrible stories. Let us not forget that. So in a sense I admire her courage but do beg her to lose it soon before she is overwhelmed by peer pressure.

    Now, i disagree with health and weight pointed by docs. You see much of the "ideal" health weight standards is imported from the West and based on research on Euro-American women. Even the "normal" temperature that we are supposed to have is based on racially-biased research and actually is a poor research. All of us have a range. I remember having lost weight till I was 64 kgs (still overweight for my height) and I lost 3 more and became very sick. My dietician had said, B, you normal weight is around 64kgs--that is where your body settles in.

    I find the best way to understand weight in Ayurvedic works--the Vata girls tend to be skinny and they are hyper and sometimes neurotic. The Pitta girls have muscles and good bones but have anger/fire in them and the Kappha girls have flab and are quieter but they have the ability to endure and be patient! Love the fact that it welcomes diversity.

    Ash is naturally a pitta girl. She will come back to her routine soon. And she will lose it. But I hope she gets into action soon because her body is the kind that needs a lot of disciplined exercise!

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    1. My mantra is eat right and exercise. Because it's exercise that releases the feel good hormones. Losing inches is incidental but remaining fit is important.

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    2. I just had a bar of snickers .. I always thought chocolate releases the feel good hormones :)

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  12. Ah the eternal debate....a big issue over a small tissue...

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    1. Err...isn't that virginity?

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    2. HAHAHAHAHAH! I am having fun reading the comment section

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  13. Poor woman, the media really should leave her alone! So what if she's put on weight, so many new mums do. She'll probably work in off in a few months... :)

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    1. Yep..another few months and she should be back to her svelte shape.

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  14. a very complicated post actually...am not a judgemental person..so what ash or any toher new mum does is her own business...but am a fitness freak..so for myself...i would like to be fit..as a woman and if and when i have babies...a healthy pregnancy followed by a equally post pregnancy. ...

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/

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    1. So am I. Fitness is like religion to me.

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  15. To tell you the truth I hated Ash when she came into the industry. Then later a size zero came along and made me like Ash so much better. As you must have guessed by now, I was never thin or skinny. The pregnancies added a lot more. And these come and go according to the level of activity and intake of food. I am a foodie, so it is always the battle of the bulge for me. There are a whole lot of factors that leads a woman to obesity. And not all are just excuses.

    Are people really putting her on a pedestal because she has gained weight, or because she has the guts to say that she wants a "time out" from looking her glamorous self? I think she is entitled to it. It takes guts to sway away from stereotypes and that I appreciate. :)

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    1. We are not this forgiving when it comes to our family and friends. A woman adds on a couple of inches and she has to brace herself for catty comments.

      But I am of the opinion that we should make exercise part of our lifestyle. Most of us end of confusing the fetish for fitness with vanity.

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    2. There again, we should learn to care two hoots about what people say and think. Not all fat people are unhealthy and not all thin people are healthy. So yeah, it is more or less about Vanity.

      But yeah, I get to hear these too. Some even blatantly ask me if I have checked my cholesterol, BP or sugar lately. I am *touch wood* one of those who can smile back and say, "I am perfectly fine on those counts. But that feeling of hurt that I just felt did a lot of damage mentally. Go figure which is more harmful! ".

      It takes guts to say so. Many a times , people gym and control food and yet don't lose weight. They then go into depression because of these kind of comments. Maybe such comments can be avoided then? A matter to think no?

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    3. We are losing perspective here. If a person is of the opinion that fitness is important, doesn't mean she's making fun of people who don't.

      To each her own :-)

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    4. Exactly! And vice versa too. To each her own indeed. :)

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  16. Was waiting for a post on this topic from you.. I am not yet a mom so I don have the right to comment on it..
    Your point feels right.. It is not about being zero-figure or slim.. It is about losing the extra weight on time..
    But we never know what complications she is having by having her first pregnancy at 37. We are just assuming her to have had a healthy one and comment that she should already be like her pre-pregnancy self, which is not right.
    The healthiest way of losing weight is the slowest one. And if you actually see, she has lost some of her weight. If you compare her on Ritesh-Genelia wedding and Cannes, you can see that she has lost her double chin already.
    You wanted your friends to be like her? I would like the ones like your friends so that their comments would motivate me to workout.. Would you have given it a thought that if they had not commented, would you workout that soon?
    It is might not be visible from my photos but I have little extra weight.. But I am surrounded by people who like people to be fat and not thin.. So however I am, they keep telling me that I don't eat but my doctor asks me to loose weight as soon as possible..

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    1. It's not about Aishwarya and her excess weight. It is about women eulogizing her. What she wants to do with herself is entirely her prerogative but let's not turn her into some sort of an idol.

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    2. I said na.. As I am not yet a mom, I don think I have the right to comment on your post..
      What I meant is not right is for the media and the people to expect her to be slim without knowing how healthy she is..
      I agree she is the one of the most beautiful women in the world.. But her as an idol? Difficult to imagine.. The annoying laugh itself is enough to make her weird..

      Another point I would like to add is, we all have got ups and downs in life.. So whenever someone points out our downs and failures, we can actually remember Ash and make ourselves feel better.. :P

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    3. By the way, wikipedia link for everyone and rotten-tomatoes link for Abhishek.. Was that on purpose? :P

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    4. LOL...no! A galti se mistake.

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  17. By all means criticize ro praise Ash for her work on films but why be bothered if she is loosing her flab or not .. its not our business is it !
    I agree with you Purba .. It is extremely essential to stay fit, we owe it to ourselves ...

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    1. Exactly, I wonder why women have trouble accepting it!

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  18. Honestly, I don't care about Aishwarya or her fat. She can do as she pleases, I guess. Maybe she thinks that for once, in her life, people wouldn't judge her for being fat. Too bad she misjudged people.

    I am touchy about weight talk. I've always been on the thinner end of the spectrum, all throughout school. I remember this one phase where I was fat, for maybe a month or two back in college, and I grew so depressed. Sigh. I didn't fit into my snug jeans and I knew it just had to go. It did. :)

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    1. I faced a similar problem when I hit 20 when suddenly I had started looking chubby. But I fought it off tooth and nail.

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  19. Damn Purba. I need to meet you often and let some of that energy and motivation rub on.

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  20. gosh, this post made my head spin. Consider I am overweight even before i can think i want a baby.
    Well you are right, it is important to enjoy motherhood but also take care of onself as well. In India, especially in south India (I do not know how it is in north india, not just cities) if you are pregnant, you need to eat eat and eat. and get yourself look like a drum.
    I am at the moment starting with brisk walking and after sometime, I will start with spinning and gym. I am very >unfit< as I never did any excercises in my life. I had a consultation with an advisor and I am all set to prepare to become a mother in 2-3 years from now and make sure my baby is healthy and so am i. :-)

    wrt Ash, well i say it is upto her to do what she wants or how she looks, but then I feel very awkward to see her like that in Cannes. I mean I am not for stick insects or chinese chop sticks. But she could had looked better.
    I am no fan of hers nor I can call her an actor. But still I feel, well... I am having a mixed feeling about it. :-p

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    1. You floored me with your positivity, Bhavana. You were one of the few I was think of while was writing this piece. I was worried how hurt you'd feel.
      Thank you for taking it in the right spirit.

      And all the best for your all new fitness regime :-)

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    2. Hurt? but why would I be hurt by this post of yours?
      :-)(
      Is it because, me even before being a mother am over weight? and due to this fact >that women become slightly more over weight than when we were before motherhood<, I would feel terrible thinking how I would look after giving birth?
      -- If this is why you thought I would feel hurt then, no absolutely not. I know I am unfit and overweight, I need to give some time for myself to look better than I am now :-)
      and there is no other points in this post for me to get hurt at all :-)
      :-)

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    3. I have never met you Bhavana, so how can I comment on your appearance. All I know is, Czech men find you hot :D

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  21. I agree totally Di, what a joke! She's fat, there's no two ways about it, moreover she has access to the best fitness trainers, doctors, chefs etc India has to offer. She has the money, not to ention enough to pay for damn good childcare if needed. This whole thing just annoys me, it's not okay to be fat when you gave all the resources to be otherwise.

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    1. Hmmm...how she wants to look like is entirely her choice. But she certainly doesn't deserve to be put on a pedestal for it.

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  22. Also this I'm now a mother my purpose in life is fulfilled oh now I can just let go and give up on all else but rearing my children attitude just PISSES ME OFF!!! Seriously, is that all your life amounts to? Now that you have a kid you don't need to look good or stay healthy and have other interests a life besides the kid? Blergh.

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    1. Most of us tend to take our bodies/health for granted-sad isn't it?

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  23. To each her own. If it were me, I would shed off those kilos faster because I like to be fit, and not fat. Looking at her, looks like she doesnot feel the same. Agreed that's not brave and need not be applauded, but its not a big deal too. Too much ado about nothing.

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    1. Yes - just keep her off the front pages!

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  24. Purba,

    I agree with you that one needs to take care of self too and ME time is important. No excuses for neglecting oneself. And also everyone has own choice and reasons.

    Take care

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    1. Thank you for agreeing. Got a little tired of defending my point of view :-)

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  25. Damn! I never thought it that way..thats its not brave..but ignorant.. U r do right! Yes, one definitely needs to take care of oneself, stay fit, only then he/she can take care of others. Lovely post. You added a new dimension :)

    ManjuzKitchen.blogspot.in

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    1. As a mother we are role models for our children. I wonder why health consciousness is not seen as a virtue!

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  26. Funny to read, but the its a serious summary. I am with Ash on this, she is certainly not skinny, but not that fat either...my mom was always Ash's current size, and I never thought she was fat. It's no big deal...its not even a topic of discussion...unless Ash becomes Dolly Bindra's size or something...

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    1. Ash is free to do anything with her life and size. But I do have problems with many who are trying to pass this off as an act of bravado.

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  27. Beautifully written as always. Really admire the way you handle a topic. Very sensible and sensitive! With your trademark sprinkling of humor.

    “Your me time is as important as your us time.” – Wonderful line and so true. Really love the way you think. :)

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    1. LOL...I seem to have ruffled quite a few feathers with this write-up.

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  28. Yes. Chubby is not healthy and I completely agree. Just like you, I was also super lean before marriage. Post childbirth I stayed away from all the sweets and ayurveda kashayams which were laden with ghee and it is a must-have back in Kerala. I created a cult of some sorts by refusing to take it and I am thankfully back to being fit. However I am healthy even as I am sleep deprived for the past one year.

    Leave Aishwarya alone is like a slogan these days. What you said is downright correct.

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    1. Your support is much appreciated :-)

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  29. A very "Weighty" issue ..Liked the article and the message
    "Just remember you are as important as your child. Your body needs as much caring as your baby. And if you can’t take care of yourself, how will you take care of your baby?

    How many mothers do that, there own needs are lost somewhere down in the needs of family, kids (and office if a working women.) Marne ki bhi phursat nahin hoti hain.

    Celebrities will always be in limelight - be in Shahrukh smoking or Sachin's hair style or Ash's weights - that's the price they have to pay.

    Hopefully Soon Aishwarya will loose weight and join band of yummy mummies like Karishma,Raveena, Sonali and then her weight loss will be the topic of discussion..

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    1. Of course she"ll be back in shape looking leaner and better than ever. Her career depends on it!

      It's the kind of influence she might be having on new moms, that I'm worried about.

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  30. She did dieting her whole life to look the way she did over the years of her career. People may have biased opinion about her acting skills but she is considered as one the most beautiful women in India. With fame like that, its natural to get all the media lime light on her for whatever she does. But she Isn't flaunting her excess flab to gain lime-light (unlike other crazy celebs like Britney spears who went nuts and shaved her head off!). She is just passing through a phase of life and while she is at it, she is taking a break from all the woeful dieting and is eating to her heart's content.
    We can't judge her based upon what we see in the papers. I call it really unfair. Many women gain a lot of weight after pregnancy. Some lose weight soon and others take time. It's not her fault if people call what she is doing as an act of "bravado". people are silly and judgmental and in a few months if Ash decides to shed all the extra pounds, even then people will have a lot of talk about her and even then people will be judgmental.

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    1. It's not about Aishwarya. She is free to do what she wants with her life.

      It's about new mothers who might be looking at her as a role model.

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  31. You're right. Chubbiness is not healthy. But I have a feeling that she'll loose the weight really soon and that she's just using her celebrity status to try and make a point -- that it's not ok to be so hard on a new mom.

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    1. Well, that's another perspective :-)

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  32. oh c'mon she is the great Aishwarya, whatever she does and possess (even the flab) has to make headlines :/
    And anyways she will have to shed that sooner or later coz belonging to the film industry she got no choice!
    And I do agree, that its somehow instilled in the Indian women that 'being a mother now, i have fulfilled my purpose'. obesity at any age is a grand welcome to so many unwanted diseases. u r a mother or a teenager hardly makes a difference.


    sarah

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    1. I'm glad that the modern woman has made fitness her priority.

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  33. I have a 2 month old baby at home and I am almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight. While I am not exercising a lot, I am just careful about what I pop into my mouth and do a bit of the household chores. I agree that when and how to lose the post-partum weight should be left upto the lady but it's also a fact that longer the fat remains on the body, the difficult it is to lose it.
    Nice post :)

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    1. That's what I'm trying to say - all you need is a little discipline and careful eating!

      And way to Prasanna!

      Delete
  34. Damn you Purba Ray for making all my excuses public, ab main kahan jaaon...........apna dukhda kisse sunaaon???? Smart post, but trust me, most might miss the point! You summarized it well when you said, "Just remember you are as important as your child. Your body needs as much caring as your baby. And if you can’t take care of yourself, how will you take care of your baby?" I know one thing for a fact, if it don't bother you, you won't make an excuse for it! So if Ash is really happy with the way she looks, Aradhyaa won't be 'softly blamed' for it. It takes a woman of substance to stand up and say, 'Sorry I let myself go...but I'm working on it. Not because you expect me to, but because I want to do it for me..........I've managed the first line.......working to reach the farther end, but the damn gulab jamuns make me lose my focus :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah well...most of my aggrieved readers took my observations personally.
      Unfortunately most of us would rather makes excuses for it rather than take charge.

      P.S Switch to Bengali mishtees - most of them are not fried and quite healthy :D

      Delete
  35. Wow. Another one on her weight, I just don't know why are people concerned. Doesn't make a difference to any of us if a really bad actress have gained weight, good for her. At least there'd be no more of her terrible movies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooops...I had no idea others were writing about it as well. But it's an issue close to every woman's heart.

      Delete
  36. hmmm maybe a name change from purba to aishwaray might have dont the trick he he he :)

    we indians love to follow celebrities , whatever they do or not do they are semi god's thats all it is MAM.

    but I dont know why it shud matter to anyone if someone is losing weight or not losing weight, or what they do .. Why are we so interfering all the time ..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We like to have an opinion. It makes us feel empowered :-)

      Delete
  37. A lot has been said about how Ash herself takes care of her baby and doesn't leave her in the care of a nanny. Considering her near-nothing loss of weight one can sure say her daughter's any mother's dream: quiet and sleepy.:D
    Even if nature is allowed to take its course I think five months is enough time for a mother to loose all the post-natal flab. Ash is probably living in delusion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm..what you said,makes a lot of sense. All her claims of being a hands-on-mom sound so hollow.

      But she'"ll be back. Her career depends on it :-)

      Delete
  38. Purba,

    Loved your blog... it bristles like a porcupine's back. :)LOL..

    But... sometimes women who gain weight during or after their pregnancy have an underlying medical condition. This can make it very difficult for them to lose weight in a short time span....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally get that. But those who can help it, should get rid of the excess flab for the sake of their health :-)

      Delete
  39. Funny...enjoyed reading it! Just wondering if I compliment someone that she looks like Aish, will she be offended....
    Aish sounded quite confident in her Cannes interview. We don't know her exact physical or psychological conditions....People in showbiz depend too much on steroids and drugs to remain in shape and sometimes it backfires.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That lady is extremely sharp and knows exactly what she's doing.

      Delete
  40. Purba may be you will be a role model for the coming generations and achoieve what Ash could not in terms of post natal care:) Am on vacation and this is one of the few posts I managed to catch up with:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Extremely flattered that you chose to spoil your vacation with my post :D

      Delete
  41. Lucky you layers-of-flab-on-Ash, you get so much press coverage!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No wonder they have become so attached to her :p

      Delete
  42. Hope Ash does not read ur post. Nonchalant though she may appear, who knows whats going through her mind. The human body which can soak up fat like water in sand. Shedding flab is totally different ball game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This post is less about Aishwarya and more about new mothers.

      Delete
  43. oh Purbaji even you? Let Aish be the way she likes.. Hmmm

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have gotten a little tired of explaining myself. What Aishwarya does with her weight is entirely her problem.

      Delete
  44. We are accustomed to hero (or is it heroine?) worship. We lock up our logic when we hear anything remotely related with them.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Oh I completely agree with you. I disagree with sacrifice of any kind. When people say, they sacrificed their career for their children, their health for their kid's health, their passion for being a 'responsible' housewife, i just feel sad for them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Making others feel guilty about your choices never helps.

      Delete
  46. dolly bindra .. lol...and that too with a hyperlink .. that's too much respect you gave to the lady!!!

    that reminded me of a sms i got on dolly bindra:

    god, "wwhat do you want?"

    boy : a very beautiful girl...

    god: if u r muslim, i'll give u katrina, if u r hindu i will give u kareena, if u r christian i'll give u genelia...what's ur name?

    biy: abdul vinod fernandes...

    god : dolly bindra de isko...bahut oversmart ban raha hai...

    ReplyDelete
  47. Good one. Hope she will be back to her normal fit self once she signs some movies:) Till then, we have to put up with her flaunting her flab;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved your take on this subject :-)

      Delete
  48. I wonder what happened there. But I think she's back to her normal self. Bless her, she does look gorgeous no matter what.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She'll always be beautiful no matter what.

      Delete
  49. I am totally with you on this.
    To the rest, she is talking about the removal of "extra flab" or going back to the pre-pregnancy shape. There are many women (especiallu women!), who thing that if you are fit and look good, then you aren't being a good mother. They don't have to be mutually exclusive - a fat mother needn't necessarily be a good one and vice versa.

    Purba, is it ok if I do a post on the same topic? Obviously, this topic is close to every mother's heart!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please go ahead. I am not the first person and certainly not the last to write on this subject :-)

      Delete
  50. Sorry about the previous msg :(

    Sooner or later the Bachchan Bahu will lose her extra flab, either by exercise or by visiting the best cosmetic surgeon in town.

    But I admire the way she is taking criticism. She seems to have taken it with dignity.

    ReplyDelete
  51. she will lose it sooner or later
    nice post

    ReplyDelete
  52. Sorry, i usually never leave negative comments, but this post of yours sounded a little self-congratulatory. sure, you were lucky enough to have a normal post delivery period where moderate exercise and the right food helped you knock off the pounds. However, there are a few unlucky women (myself included) who have major health problems AFTER delivery. For us, going to the gym is not always an option. Even if we eat moderately, something in our body chemistry may have changed and prevents us from easily losing the weight. some women may not be able to breastfeed no matter how hard they try and hence dont burn as many calories. Bottom line - we do not know what exactly Ash is going through. She still maintains a graceful public face. Most women take recovery after childbirth for granted. As for me, I am just happy that I am able to get through a day without running to the hospital or crying for hours out of pain. I am not celebrating my flab. I am simply glad to be alive and be there for my baby.

    ReplyDelete
  53. I read all the comments on this post …. And what I feel peoples in India become so protected for their super stars …. But sadly no one understand what she #Purba trying to say ….. Its all about fitness guyzz..

    ReplyDelete
  54. This talk about fitness is very confusing to me....Purba, do you mean to say thin people are healthier?

    ReplyDelete
  55. Just when I was almost sympathising with Aish, comes this. And I know how serious and true you've been towards your workouts...now you've surely got me confused Purba...

    And as always, I end with agreeing with you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Purba, I totally agree with you. I have struggled with weight issues my entire adult life. No one takes my excuses as genuine one so why should any celebrity get a free pass. They are the reason why society judges us with harshness to begin with.
    Amena.
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    ReplyDelete
  57. Nice post, very well written. Bravo to you for going against the public opinion and commenting on this sensitive but 'huge' issue.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I know, The longer you keep the extra inches, the more attached they become to your frame... Its been 2 yrs since my second was born and I've almost lost the hope of getting back .. Before I was complaining there is no full mirror in the house and used to look at glass windows passing by them and now I always shy away from the full mirror.

    ReplyDelete

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