| Singer-music director Adnan Sami had disappeared for a few months. Now, it has emerged that he was in the USA for physiotherapy and a weight-loss programme. Adnan claims to have lost 85 kilos in the last five months.
Cringe factor
Says Adnan, "I went on a health trip to Washington and Texas, where my family stays, in June. I consulted a physiotherapist and nutritionist who put me on a diet. Now I work out for an hour and a half every day."
Before he started on the programme, Adnan was nearly 200 kilos. He says, "I have lost 85 kilos so far. I've stopped eating bread, rice and sugar and only eat protein-rich foods and vitamin supplements. For the last two months, I've also turned vegetarian. It's not out of choice but compulsion, as my body can't digest non-vegetarian food. Now, I don't even eat eggs. Earlier, I couldn't live without eating non-vegetarian food, but now I cringe just looking at it."
But Adnan admits that he still has miles to go. "I have to lose 50 kilos more. That's my target."
Depressive days
Adnan says that the last one year has been one of the lowest points in his life. "After the doctors diagnosed me with lymphedema and operated on both my knees, I never got completely cured. I had to take nine blood transfusions.
Everything had a snowball effect – my legs became weak, I couldn't walk for more than a few minutes, I had to use a walking stick when I went out, while travelling I had to use a wheelchair and the pain was terrible. I became an insomniac and a recluse. I hated going out and socialising.
Things just went from bad to worse. All my activities came to a halt. I had given up on life and thought I was going to die. My stamina had come down to zero. My life was going out of control," he says emotionally.
In February this year, he went on holiday with his parents to Dubai, and a talk with his father changed his depressive attitude.
He says, "I was in terrible pain and couldn't bear it any more, so I told my father, 'I have lived my life to the fullest. If I die today, I will have no regrets.' Dad looked at me and said that he couldn't believe he was talking to a fighter. I told him things were beyond my control. He gave me a lecture and said I should think my way out of this instead of giving up. His verbal kick in the butt worked and I went abroad."
Back on his feet
How did he lose so much in such a short time? "I have lost 85 kilos, but it doesn't seem so much. I had a lot of weight to lose," grins Adnan. "In the first few weeks, I lost 25 pounds. Initially you tend to lose weight quickly as it's mostly water, then you plateau and the process slows down."
Today, Adnan feels healthier than he has in a long time. He says, "I went to the USA on a wheelchair and came back able to support myself on my feet. That felt wonderful, since I had become completely immobile. I love travelling but that passion had become a nightmare. Now, I have started travelling again."
He even feels like a new man now. He says, "I'm even comfortable talking about it. I want to tell people like me that if I can do it, so can they.
Nothing is impossible. When I had put on weight, I had become moody and irritable and didn't feel going out and meeting people. It was a defense mechanism that I had developed. Today, I am confident and happy."
Fitting into clothes has become easier for Adnan. "That's the best part," he says, heaving a sigh of relief. "I had bought a black Armani suit six years ago but could never fit into it. When I tried it a couple of days ago, it fit!" he beams.
What's next? "My album, which reflects my confident, happy state of mind today. And I'm also doing the music for a few films." |
| Adnan's diet
Drinks
No alcohol. Allowed to have crystal lite drinks, fruit punches and Diet Coolades Breakfast
No breakfast; just a cup of tea Lunch
A bowl of salad mixed with one tablespoon of fat free dressing, one tablespoon of milk, lots of vegetables like broccoli, chickpeas, apples, with Tabasco sauce and fat free cheese Snack
A bowl of popcorn with a pinch of salt Dinner
A bowl of dal (not black dal) without tadka, lemon, Tabasco sauce, green chillies and no oil (Adnan has this like a bowl of soup) | |
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kumkum Bhagya
