Kusha Kapila breaks SILENCE on her drastic weight loss journey: 'I was diagnosed with..., was starving...
Kusha said that she was feeling detached from her transformation, like she was watching someone else through constant reels and headlines. She described it as out-of-body experience, as others discussed about her appearance more than she did herself. Kusha Kapila on dealing with body issues since childhood
Sharing her experience, Kusha said that her body image issues began early on, as she put on weight at the age of 10 and faced oppressive comments and nicknames such as 'motu.' Even at the age of 12 or 13, she began losing weight, but people continued to scrutinise her about whatever she ate.
As she was preparing for her 10th-grade board exams, Kusha Kapila put on a lot of weight which made her mother decide to do something about it right away. With the end of the exams, Kusha's mom signed her up for a gym that resembled a skhada (traditional wrestling arena), insisting that she start to lose weight thereafter. She started working out, doing cardio, strength training and other exercises. She ended up losing 20-22 kilograms in this period. While Kusha was feeling better about how she looked at the age of 15 or 16, internally, her body issues were strong. She said she didn't understand how tough those struggles would last. Like most teens, the positive feedback she got each time she transformed made her think it was the most important outcome.
With time, she began to realise, 'Why worry about appearance, at least I'm funny and friendly,' and focused more on her personality than her looks. People noticed that Kusha's humour became something that everyone could connect with. She began to understand people liked her funny impressions, jokes, and unique personality. Because of that new perspective, she felt her body was normal the way it was. Kusha Kapila on her 'unhealthy' weight loss journey
By the time she reached 22, she had put on another 10 kgs and faced health problems both physically and mentally. She didn't know what to do, feeling confused about the future and having trouble understanding her own goals. One night, a friend sent her an image, reminding her to concentrate on herself. Kusha was going to the gym but eating only about 800-900 calories per day, mostly simple foods. Because of calorie-deficit diet, it resulted in rapid weight loss but not increase in muscle mass. However, while others admired her thinness, Kusha slowly started doubting whether she should try to get thinner to be noticed or to get healthier.
Kusha realised she wasn't eating well, which led her to fever that lasted for 12 days. Several test results left doctors confused until tuberculosis (TB) came out as the possible reason. Because her diet was extremely low in protein, her immunity became very weak, and this eventually led to her being diagnosed with abdominal TB, which happens more often to women of her age who have weak immune systems. Following that, she decided to prioritise her health, and realised she had to look out for herself because no one else would do it for her anymore.
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