He revelled in the sugary delights of life, often found with his hand deep in his beloved jar of sugar, pulling out clumps to lick with unabashed satisfaction, savouring its sweetness as though it were a divine elixir.
His big appetite was evident in the mountains of dishes he piled at hotels, leaving patrons gasping in disbelief.
Yet, despite his culinary enthusiasm, Tim remained a frail figure, a gust of wind threatening to whisk him away like a feather.
He went so far as to join a gym, where his friend Joe was a member. But rather than the muscular build he desired, he lost weight and became thinner. He found the situation very upsetting.
Tim longed to impress his girlfriend Caren with a more sculpted physique, but his efforts yielded little success.
Caren’s gaze often drifted to the muscular men passing by, a sight that gnawed at Tim’s confidence. Each time he caught her eye wandering, a pang of insecurity shot through him. “What’s wrong with me?” he would wonder, feeling like a shadow in a world of vibrant figures.
Joe, ever the supportive friend, noticed Tim’s predicament.
"Hey, Tim. I see you eat a lot and yet you hardly grow fat. What’s the matter?" Joe would ask with a grin on his face.
"Honestly, I can't tell what is amiss. I wish I had a muscular body like you. I want to grow bigger in size but no matter what I eat, I have failed to achieve my dreams," he said.
"Have you ever thought about deworming? When did you deworm yourself?" Joe asked. "The tiny animals in your intestines might be consuming all the food you eat.”
“Stop that nonsense, Joe! My stomach never rumbles when I’m hungry, so there can’t be any worms,” Tim shot back, laughter bubbling between them. But as the laughter faded, a sense of urgency lingered in Tim’s mind.
Joe, sensing his friend’s frustration, scratched his head in thought. “You should see a doctor. There might be something eating away at you internally,” he advised, his expression shifting from playful to serious.
Tim hesitated. “I’ve never been sick; I feel fine,” he replied, but Joe’s concern weighed heavily on him.
That night, Tim lay awake, contemplating Joe’s suggestion. After much deliberation, he decided to visit a local hospital known for its esteemed physician, Dr Liz Ayana.
In her office, Tim listened intently as Dr Ayana explained the complexities of body weight.
“A person’s build largely depends on genetic factors. Gaining weight can be just as challenging as losing it,” she said, her tone both authoritative and reassuring.
"A person’s build depends largely on genetic factors, which is why it is difficult for a naturally thin person to put on weight. The human body can change to a limited extent through weight training and increased food intake.”
She dispelled the myth of effortless weight gain, emphasising the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise tailored to his individual needs.
"Gaining or regaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight. When done in a smart, healthful way, many of the same basic principles apply to both gaining and losing weight," Dr Ayana added.
With a prescription of practical advice, the doctor laid out a roadmap for Tim.
“Eat three good meals daily, and don’t drink fluids during meals,” she advised, her words igniting a flicker of hope in Tim’s heart.
“Focus on carbohydrates, but avoid high-protein diets that can strain your body. Healthy snacks like yoghurt, fruit and smoothies can help, too.
"Eating vast amounts of dietary protein won’t make your muscles grow faster. It will put unnecessary pressure on your body, especially your kidneys. Avoid high-protein diets.
A healthy snack may include fruit, yoghurt, muffin, rice pudding, low-fat custard, milkshake or liquid meal supplement," she added.
Armed with newfound knowledge, Tim returned home, ready to transform his eating habits.
He made a conscious effort to avoid junk food, opting instead for nutrient-packed high-fat foods, such as avocados and nuts.
He creatively enhanced his meals, topping dishes with cheese and spreading peanut butter on whole-grain muffins. Breakfasts became a ritual of hot oatmeal enriched with milk and adorned with honey and dried fruits.
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Slowly but surely, Tim began to notice changes in his physique. His body transformed, with muscles emerging where there had once been only skin and bones.
This drew admiration. Girls began to glance his way, their eyes sparkling with interest as he walked by.
“You look amazing, Tim! I’m getting jealous of all the girls drooling over you,” Caren exclaimed one day, her voice a mix of admiration and playful concern.
Tim smiled, his heart swelling with pride.
“You are my one and only, Caren. I will always love you,” he said.
“Why would I ever leave you now that I’m muscular when you stood by me when I was thin?”
Their laughter filled the air, a testament to the bond they had forged through the trials of self-discovery.
