"You have put on too much weight!"

That was what my surgeon friend said to me, as soon as I stepped into his surgery today, when I went for my post surgery check-up. I did tell him that I am trying to shed my weight. So we went into a short discourse on losing weight. He advised me to cut my carbohydrates and eat more meat. Suddenly I felt my life going out the windows. Thoughts of noodles, rice, pasta and the many Chinese favourites of mine going into oblivion. Meat? My GP advised me to cut my red meat. My life has become very complicated.

Ever since my recent illness, I now have to avoid caffeine. But that is alright now, as I have adjusted myself to taking decaf, - a feat which I did not think I could cope. Actually I have coped better than expected. Besides decaf coffee, I am now drinking peppermint Chamomile tea without caffeine, which my No. 2 daughter bought for me for Christmas. Without any sugar or milk, it actually tastes good. My son also bought me some organic muesli, which tastes good with low fat milk. I am also taking Horlicks for breakfast, which incidentally was what I was fed when I was a baby during the Japanese occupation, because milk was not available then. So on those counts, I am OK, but when I eat with my friends in the market or food stalls, it becomes complicated.

In addition, I have to cut sugar, salt and fat. I wonder whether I will die of sickness or of starvation. Makes my mind boggle. Definitely no fun growing old!

Lu-shun, in his book "Teahouse", made his main character lament - "When I was young, I had strong teeth but no money to buy the peanuts. Now that I am old, I have the money but no teeth to chew the peanuts!"

When I told my wife about my new diet restrictions, she seemed to accept it, but in the long run, as it usually happens, she will eventually forget it.

I did notice that a few years ago, my weight had suddenly shot past the 65 kg to around 70. My midriff bloated and I hated to see myself in the mirror. What a shocking disappointment. To think that before my retirement, I was slim and very fit. I was able to jog from the Institute of Education (IE) to the entrance of the Botanical Gardens at Napier Road and back to IE. I am now a fully aged adult which has stopped growing at both ends and now growing in the middle.

I love my food, and I am somewhat of a gourmet myself, having travelled far and wide tasting all sorts of cuisine. Nothing pleases me more than to sit down and eat with my family; something I have been doing since my children were very young, when I introduced them to gastronomical delights both at home and abroad. Anyway, all is not lost. Stay positive. It tantamounts to being a fussy eater from now on.

Till then....