‘At 94 kg, I was usually out of breath climbing just two flights of stairs. I felt bad in clothing stores because most of the clothes didn’t fit; I had to go to the XL or XXL section. My level of confidence was low. I would usually hide behind people during photo shoots at events or gatherings.’

By Jojo Dass

Three years ago, many would have considered her a blithering basket case.

But Dr. Daffodils Guevarra, who has been practicing medicine for the past 13 years, just refused to throw in the towel and leave everything up to fate.

“I was a smoker and a diabetic with high cholesterol and uric acid levels. I also was a borderline hypertensive person,” Doc Daffodils, as peers fondly call her, tells Food Trip Magazine.

She said the main causes of her travails were obesity – she was weighing 94 kilos – cigarettes, as well as poor lifestyle and food choices

“At 94 kg, I was usually out of breath climbing just two flights of stairs. I felt bad in clothing stores because most of the clothes didn’t fit; I had to go to the XL or XXL section,” recalls Doc Daffodils.

“My level of confidence was low. I would usually hide behind people during photo shoots at events or gatherings,” she said.

In fact, she added, “It came to a point where I couldn’t advise my patients to lose weight for better health because I, myself, couldn’t do it.”

Something happened, and it sent alarm bells blaring in Doc Daffodils’ head.

“The ultimate eye opener was when I had to undergo a knee operation for a torn meniscus (a thin fibrous cartilage between the surfaces of some joints),” Doc Daffodils said

“The doctor said I might need to undergo a knee joint replacement in two years if I don’t lose weight. It’s called knee arthroplasty.  My dad was in his 60s when he had his. I was only in my 30s at the time.

“I knew right there that I needed to do something about my weight, asap!”

So, right after the operation, Doc Daffodils embarked on a weight loss journey. “I stopped eating rice, ate less carbohydrates, ate more vegetables and fruits, and portioned my food,” she said.

She also started to exercise regularly – 30 minutes a day, five times a week walking, cycling, and doing yoga. She quit smoking, too.

It paid off. Doc Daffodils lost 24 kilos in three years. Indeed, a feat!

Looking back, she said “it’s all about having a conscious choice to eat healthily and to exercise regularly.

“It involves a lot of discipline and internal self-talk. But it’s doable and it doesn’t need to be expensive. Now I’m happier, more confident, and most importantly, I became a role model to others in terms of living a healthier life.”

Doc Daffodils has also developed a fondness for cooking.

“I usually replace ingredients with healthier options without compromising on taste – like stevia or coconut sugar from cane sugar, low-fat or soya milk for regular full cream milk, low-fat butter, lean meat cuts, and so on,” she says.

These days, Doc Daffodils has stopped her medication for diabetes and cholesterol.  “I am diabetes-free!”

Doc Daffodils also comes out of clothing stores with a wide smile as she finally doesn’t have to go to the XL or XXL section.