Her face brightened up with happiness and a sense of achievement enveloped her whole self as she looked into the mirror from every possible angle. The dress mum gifted her last year on her excellent percentage in Matric exams once again fit her perfectly.

“Hurray! I’ve made it!”

Surely, she’s been successful in regaining her old smart self. She moved to the wardrobe. Lots of other outfits were hung there in neat rows, but she had to quit wearing them because she had started putting more weight since she left school. She was happy that they could be worn now and, above all, she won’t be teased by her friends anymore.

Hamna was a student of first year in college, and after having pre-board exams, she and her classmates were on preparation leave prior to the board exams. She’d been working hard on two goals lately — losing weight and studying hard to get good grades as her ambition was to become a doctor in future.

She would study all day long, sitting at her table with the exception of very short breaks and that too for extremely necessary chores. So when mum called her for dinner, she made excuses.

“Mum, I’m not feeling like having food now. I’m already full, and don’t worry mum, I’ll have dinner after finishing this chapter,” these were the lame excuses she would give because she was trying to live only on low-calorie snacks, bran biscuits, green tea and coffee, quitting almost all meals altogether.

Her mum was a working woman and the house maid was responsible to look after the kitchen. This was why no one could notice the change in her eating routine. It went on for almost a month and finally she achieved one of her targets.

Another week went by. One afternoon papa received a call from Hamna’s college principal, informing him of Hamna fainting while attempting a biology test.

“First aid has been provided, but the doctor has advised a detailed check up,” the principal told Hamna’s father.

Hamna’s parents became very upset because the exams were just around the corner and with this physical condition would definitely affect her. Hamna too was concerned. She could sacrifice anything for her studies and good grades.

Hamna’s father took her to see a good doctor to check if everything was fine. When the doctor asked Hamna about her diet, sleep and study routines, she had no choice except to tell the truth. Mum had noticed her weakness during the past weeks but she mistook it for exam stress.

The doctor gently asked Hamna, “But why are you so crazy about being extra thin?”

“Because ... because ... my friends always make fun of me for putting on weight since I joined college. They portray horrible pictures of my future if I keep on gaining weight at this pace. They say it becomes uncontrollable at a point and I fear reaching that point,” her tone was humble as she expressed her fears honestly.

The doctor repressed his smile and responded, “Everyone gains weight with age, just make sure you don’t cross the limit.”

“So you say one shouldn’t take care of one’s fitness?” she asked.

“Fitness is not about getting thin, it’s all about being in the normal weight range according to BMI chart,” the doctor explained.

“I bet if you calculate your BMI (body mass index) right now, you are in the underweight range,” he didn’t try to control his smile this time.

“Dieting shouldn’t be done haphazardly. Reducing weight rapidly can cause serious problems. Always consult your doctor or a qualified nutritionist before deciding what to eat and what to quit for losing extra weight, even more importantly one needs to know whether or not to lose weight in the first place,” he added.

Hamna nodded approvingly.

“As for your question on BMI, don’t over stress yourself with things. Simply Google for it when your exams are over. Briefly speaking, it’s a method of calculating approximate mass of your muscles, fats and bones with the help of your height and weight. Right now you simply need to have proper meals containing all major food groups — cereals, meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, milk and other dairy products — as all of them are necessary for proper body functioning. Have 15 minutes of mild walk in the morning and be relaxed. You can join a gym after the exams as exercise not only helps us in burning extra calories but also makes our muscles stronger. It strengthens us mentally as well as emotionally,” the doctor concluded.

While stepping out of the clinic, Hamna felt sorry for her short-lived happiness, but at the same time she was determined to become a doctor more than ever because after all, health matters a lot and one can’t take one’s health lightly. And what better way is there to take care of one’s health than to be a doctor oneself!

Published in Dawn, Young World April 29th, 2017