OLD Kai stumbled down the stairs to the kitchen, specifically to the refrigerator, to get me a cold slice of pizza, some leftover Chinese lowmein and cook-up rice, a glass of soda to wash it down, then some desert, which includes rich vermicelli cake, a chocolate bar and a glass of milk.

I then make my way upstairs, brush my teeth and sit down at the computer. It’s 01:00 hrs in the morning, and I have just consumed well over 1000 calories, lots of sugar, carbohydrates and fats, and my only exercise will be typing this article and then going straight back to bed.
I will then wonder later in the day, when I am struggling to get a belt around my waist, why I have been gaining additional body fat rather than losing weight.
Sadly, this has become my cycle of oppression, and at times depression. It is very difficult to maintain a strict eating schedule and a rigorous diet plan, which is why many people simply give up. By many, I mean when one looks at figures provided by the Ministry of Health at the launch of its ‘Weight No More’ campaign in March 2011, you will get the grand picture. 60% of Guyanese are considered overweight; do the math. 31% obese. These figures are staggering, and it is not just a local problem. It is estimated that more than 2 billion people worldwide are either obese or overweight; that’s close to 30% of the world’s total population.
It is against this backdrop that the success of our Head of State in battling the bulge must be placed into context. The images of him currently are almost startling, when compared to a few months ago. He has done what Old Kai and countless other Guyanese have not been able to do: Carefully manage our food intake and our timing.
Sometimes Old Kai will go the entire day without any solid food, and then gorge at dinnertime and then head straight to bed. It has been a Guyanese culture to have roti or rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For some, the alternative is bread, which is also loaded with Carbohydrates.
At work, there is always some shop where one could quickly get a box of rice and chicken, with a bottle of soda. It does not help that with each passing month, another fast-food establishment opens its doors in Guyana. If you really want to see our problem, take a drive around the capital city, not on weekends, but on a normal weekday. You are sure to see a heavy traffic of customers dining out at night.
So, while we have been saddled with a traditional diet of carbs, we now have the fast-foods, which are loaded with saturated fats. To further illustrate my point, simply name at least five eatery businesses where one can pick up a low calorie meal any time of the day? It is virtually impossible.
Again, I come back to our President: When the First Lady first launched her organic garden, the usual suspects sneered at the project. But now we are told that some of the meals our Leader has been consuming are being provided by that very garden, and the end result is that he has lost over 30 pounds in such a short period of time. It highlights commitment and determination by our Head of State, commendable attributes for any leader. He has been ably supported by his wife, and in today’s world where there are so much domestic related issues which often lead to violence, where females most often come out the victims, the First Couple serves to highlight the benefits of a stable relationship, where there is mutual respect, understanding and support.
But, back to the First Lady’s kitchen garden. She has demonstrated that one does not need a farm to cultivate essentials. A small plot of earth will suffice, and in cramped spaces, such as in certain Wards of our City, earthen pots to plant some vegetables would go a long way in both ensuring more healthy food on the table, and savings to the pocket.
Anyone familiar with the Ramotars before November 2011 would know that their private home on the outskirts of the City is surrounded by a garden. They love nurturing and watching their plants grow and mature; similarly, that is the approach they have adopted when dealing with those they have interacted with. They are always ready to listen, discuss and offer advice along the way; always ready to pass on their experiences. This is the kind of leadership — mature, guiding, down-to-earth and responsible — that Guyana needs, and will continue to need, for us to move forward as a people.
Before I conclude, it is crucial to point out that in all of this, the President was keen to establish that workout is a very important factor in his weight loss success thus far. Gyms can be found in several locations across the country; and going to the gym seems to be increasing in popularity, not to mention the wide open public spaces we have for physical exercise. A small section of one’s home can also be converted into a personal gym.
Old Kai has been inspired by the President’s determination and success, and as I end this article, I am now more determined to succeed this time. The decision I make now may very well add many years to my life, and may save me quite a bit in future hospital expenses.
I hope that those reading this article are similarly inspired by our President, and will also join Old Kai in our quest to live a healthier lifestyle.