In 2007, a year after I'd moved to Dubai and avowedly feeling helpless about my ballooning weight, I chanced upon an article that only a person in my then mental state would have found. The article explained why those who are overweight often find something — or someone — else to blame for their weight gain, to absolve themselves of the guilt.
A study by University of Warwick researcher Karen Throsby is heavily quoted in the article. After interviewing 35 patients who applied to the UK's National Health Service for weight-loss surgery, Throsby concluded that there were three main types of "excuses" used by the overweight.
These were genetics, issues from childhood, and lifestyle.
So, when someone suggested that my weight gain was the result of the infamous "Dubai Stone", I clutched on to it. A quick Google search told me what it is supposed to mean, with varying degrees of sincerity.
The "Dubai Stone", the narrative goes, is the weight you supposedly gain, about 6.3 kilograms, soon after having moved to the city. The reasons range from a more sedentary lifestyle to excessive brunches.
It's an enticing logic, and one even easier to manifest. So, for the next five years, I piled on my so-called "Dubai Stone" until a family tragedy knocked me out of my daze. I lost my brother, who was only 36, to a heart attack. While he did not live in Dubai, John was extremely overweight and smoked and drank. There were also professional and personal issues that clearly affected his overall well-being.
The year my brother died, I weighed 125kg, the heaviest I've ever been.
Within months, I walked into a gym for the first time in my life. I became obsessive about having regular medical checks. It was also during this time that my siblings and I found out we were predisposed to heart conditions, which strengthened our resolve to stay healthy.
Within a year, I lost 35kg.
It wasn't easy, of course. There were many days of failure, and of giving up. Still, I was lucky I didn't have any underlying medical issues to contend with. I know all too well by now weight loss is not just about walking into a gym and sweating it out.
In April, I marked 16 years in Dubai. While I wish I had an inspiring transformation story to tell when it comes to me and my weight, I don't. My weight has constantly fluctuated, mostly determined by my mental state at different stages of my life — from relationship failures to professional setbacks, and more loss.
When I lost my mother six years ago, the subsequent depression led me to pile on the weight. As I inched close to the dreaded 125kg once more, the panic drove me to try all kinds of weight-loss diets — keto, Atkins, veganism. I've had as many personal trainers with varying degrees of success, too.
But somewhere along the way, I had a change of heart: I've stopped obsessing over weight loss.
Now I follow the advice of my current personal trainer / unofficial therapist, who says: "Just enjoy the process."
At the time of writing this, I weigh a cool 86kg, which, according to my smart weight scale, is a "poor" body score, enunciated with a sad emoji. That fact would have sent me into a spin not that long ago, but now I go to the gym six days a week, and am happy when I walk out feeling mentally better and stronger than when I walked in.
My weight-loss story has no neat ending. And, like life, there's no telling when the next twist will come. But it just goes to show, it was never Dubai’s problem but one I had to resolve on my own.
25 new things to do indoors in the UAE this summer — in pictures
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Take a sushi-making masterclass at SushiSamba in Dubai. Photo: SushiSamba -
Roxy Cinemas is opening at Dubai Hills Mall this summer. Photo: Roxy Cinemas -
Nakheel Mall has opened a VR-powered escape rooms venue with a board game cafe. Photo: Nakheel -
Back-to-school activities are ongoing at Dubai Hills Mall, pictured, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall. Photo: Dubai Hills Mall -
Try the cannoli from Cipriani Dolci at Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Photo: Cipriani -
Anyone aged 5 and upwards can join in the Yas Mall Indoor Run this summer. Photo: Yas Mall -
Dubai Design District is hosting its Rethink Summer programme until August 26. Photo: Dubai Design District -
Deep Dive Dubai turned one in July. -
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library spans seven storeys. EPA -
Adnec's Abu Dhabi Summer Sports is the biggest event of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Abu Dhabi Summer Sports / Instagram -
A summer camp will be held indoors at the WB Abu Dhabi hotel. -
Ice Bar at The London Project on Bluewaters, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Splatter Rooms in Abu Dhabi offers freewheeling art sessions for children and adults. Photo: Splatter Rooms -
Ripe Market will be held indoors at Golden Mile Galleria and Circle Mall in Dubai this summer. -
Yas Island has a Kids Go Free offer this summer, which includes accommodation, food and access to its theme parks for children under 12. Photo: Ferrari World -
Saray spa at Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi has discounts of up to 50 per cent this summer. -
Abu Dhabi Mall's Boxed In - Think In is the latest escape room to open in the capital. Photo: Boxed In - Think In -
The Green Planet, Dubai, has an overnight camping experience. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Storm Coaster in Dubai Hills Mall is the fastest indoor roller coaster in the world. Photo: Emaar -
Museum of the Future in Dubai requires visitors to book tickets well in advance. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Central Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi has arcade games and bowling alleys. Victor Besa / The National -
Dubai Sports World offers indoor courts for padel, a popular sport in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Theatre of Digital Art in Dubai is hosting a Digital Extravaganza exhibition led by Synti, a 3D holographic figure. Photo: Theatre of Digital Art -
Viking restaurant in Ajman is a cool new spot that will take you back in time. Photo: Viking -
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is hosting a new Let's Walk fitness programme. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island -
Dubai Summer Surprises: a number of malls will hold sales from July 1 to September 4. Photo: DFRE -
RAK Animal Welfare Centre in Ras Al Khaimah is looking for people to meet, play with and adopt pets. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Motiongate Dubai has launched its Coolest Summer promotion. Dubai Parks and Resorts. -
Studio 14 in Dubai has a Himalayan salt wall, which is beneficial when you're working out indoors in close proximity with others. Antonie Robertson / The National -
An object discovered at Deir el-Medina by the Egyptian Museum of Turin. The museum, along with Sharjah Museum Authority, has put together an interactive exhibition targeted at school children called Deir el Medina: Village of the Pharaohs’ Artists. Photo: museoegizio / Instagram -
Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is hosting the Eyes Wide Shut exhibition. Photo: Alserkal Avenue -
The Alley DXB is a glow-in-the-dark padel court in Dubai. Photo: @thealleydxb / Instagram -
Thunder Road restaurant in Umm Al Quwain has an indoor retail store selling speciality Italian products, from olive oil to truffle everything. Photo: Pixabay -
Indoor golf and entertainment lounge MyGolf Dubai is open during the summer. Photo: MyGolf Dubai
