The Divorce Diet

Before my divorce, my health was on autopilot. My ex-wife bought the groceries, planned the meals, and, if I’m honest, she was the reason I ate a vegetable more than twice a week. I didn't realize how much of that routine was built by someone else.

My first few months post-separation were a complete blur. The thought of eating a full meal made my stomach churn. I’d grab a coffee in the morning and by evening, I'd realize I hadn't eaten anything. That initial, unhealthy weight loss was a symptom of something deeply wrong.

The late nights of worry turned into late nights of binge-watching TV with a bag of crisps. Instead of a home-cooked dinner, it was takeout. I started to feel it everywhere. My clothes didn't fit. My back ached. I was tired all the time, and my moods were all over the place. I remember one morning, trying to get out of bed and feeling a dull, aching exhaustion I couldn’t shake.

It was a wake-up call. I realized that my well-being, both mental and physical, was my responsibility now. I started small. I made a pact with myself to cook one healthy meal a day, no matter how tired I was. I bought a cookbook and started with simple recipes—a baked chicken breast, some roasted vegetables. It felt a little pathetic at first, just me in a silent kitchen, but it was an act of self-care. It was me taking charge.

Next, I found a new routine. I started walking every evening. It began as a way to get out of the house and escape the heavy silence, but it became something more. The fresh air cleared my head. My walks got longer and faster. Eventually, I started jogging. The physical exertion was a release valve for all the stress and frustration I had bottled up. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

The real shift came when I began to see my physical health and mental health as one. Eating a nutritious meal didn't just make my body feel better; it gave me the energy to deal with a difficult email from my ex. My weight has stabilized, but more importantly, my outlook has changed. It was about shedding the unhealthy habits and expectations that weighed me down. It was about learning that my health is my most valuable asset, and it’s one I can’t afford to neglect again.

Hasib Afzal