I used to be an athlete playing two sports during secondary school – Netball and Handball. Both are highly active sports and I was training almost every day. Due to my lack of knowledge of proper food intake, I was still considered ‘fat’ by my grandparents and family.

From then on, it became tough because it felt as if I was being labelled for my body and how my size is unacceptable. I “made excuses” for myself by convincing myself that my arms and thighs were big because of all the exercise I was doing.

When I entered polytechnic, it was worse because I stopped playing both sports from my second year onwards and maintained the bad diet. I will try to cover up by dressing in dark colours to hide my protruding stomach that I was ashamed of.

Now, after entering the workforce, I will do home workouts such as T25 or workout videos by social influencers after dinner at least three times a week. It may not be the best method, but at least I am satisfied that I am working hard to make a difference to myself by eating healthier and wholesome foods, and influencing my boyfriend to do the same.

We may not have lost much weight or seen any significant difference, but I felt slightly healthier and I believe that this is the stepping stone of a healthy lifestyle for us.