How critical it is?

Dear Jaja,

You asked me how many kilograms I have gained.
Well, to put it simply - a lot.

Look at it this way.
Back when I was in secondary school my BMI was always below 18.
I could eat a lot and would never gain a pound.
I thought I would never be 'va-va-voom' in any way, I was just too skinny.

Then, as I left high school, I began to gain a bit.
My BMI back then was about 20.
My weight was considered normal and I was glad.

When you knew me back in the old office, by then my BMI was about 21.
I could still eat a lot without putting on weight.
I guess my metabolism rate at that time was quite high, kot.

When I was in Tokyo, after giving birth to Huzaifah and even after giving birth to Humaidi,
my BMI remained at 22-24.
It might have to do with the fact that I used to cycle or walk here and there.
I was also living on the 5th floor with no elevator, so yes, I guess 'exercise' was part of my daily routine whether or not I took it as exercise.

When I returned from Tokyo, I was pregnant with Haniyya.
And I found myself craving for all kind of food and I gained weight "tak hengat punya".
And you know how difficult it is to shed some pounds after giving birth.
Especially if one is breastfeeding.
Now my dear Jaja, my BMI is 27.9
Yes, I'm overweight.

Weight is one thing. Fitness is another.
I know I'm not fit right now.
And not being fit means I get tired easily and find it difficult to cope with two boisterous toddlers and one baby.
So, I know I have to do something about it.
Immediately.

So, I've taken up your advise to start walking.
Walking, cycling and stair climbing - all in all in about 45 minutes.
Plus some gym exercise especially meant to target the abs, upper leg and back areas.
I've heard that it's easier to get into a new exercise regime when you have an exercise partner,
thus I'm glad my hubby is giving his support by going to gym together.
We are trying to commit ourselves to two nights per week, which I think is doable.
And in between I would try to do light exercises at home.

It's okay if it takes time to shed some pounds.
I'm not looking for immediate results.
Otherwise I might as well take up all those slimming programs offered by 'slimming centres'
Hubby and I are taking this as a personal challenge of sort.
When we were in Tokyo, we used to ask ourselves what we would do to prevent our muscles from turning into fat.
Hubby got himself a foldable mountain bike (which was also a farewell gift from Koseki-san, the detective who used to visit us a lot in Masjid Asakusa) as an incentive to continue exercising in Malaysia - but he rarely use it.
So, now we are trying to discipline ourselves to go to the gym at least two nights a week - to lose weight and to get fitter.
Please make do'a for us that we'll stay focused and committed, and I believe I'll be asking for tips from you, from time to time.

P/S: Kit, it's not that I think I look bad. It's just that I need to be more active to keep up with the boys - and you know how lasak my boys can be...