Nikila Ram's story on successful dieting inspired me to tell mine as well.

I had always been slim and slender until a few years ago. Believe it or not, it was financial success that made me fat and unhealthy.

I had more than one servant now. I didn't have to move a finger around the house. The second car came along with a driver. I was driven around everywhere. I didn't even need to walk till the auto stand.

I could buy the best of everything - including junk food. I could afford to eat all that I wanted - or so I thought. After all, the price didn't worry me.

But I was paying a heavy price and it should have worried me right then. But I was too busy enjoying my new found affluence.

Life was fun all right. Full of shopping sprees, movies, card parties and eating binges. I thought I had it made. I was sure people must be envying me. After all, I had it made.

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That's why I went into shock when I inadvertently heard my neighbours talking about me.

"Okay, I'll pass on the message to 'Porky Viji'. "That woman is rich. She's rich in food - always eating rich food!" "To her money means food. If they get richer, she'll eat even more. What a waste of money! In her place I would have used it with more sense."

I was shell shocked at what I had heard. Porky? Was I as bad as that? And did I equate more money with more food? Did my neighbours pity me? Why, they didn't have half the money I did? Was I really so pathetic?

I made an instant resolve. I was going to shed the porky image. If this was what money did to me, I'd shed the money too. I would even go back to my penny pinching days.

I started avoiding fast food restaurants like the plague. I went back to my bhel puri joints. I found that here I could eat without putting on weight.

I regretfully let my driver go. I didn't know how to drive - so it was back to walking to the old auto stand. And that was quite a walk!

I not only joined a gym but I made it my hang out too. I spent a good part of my day there. I had my cook to make different kinds of salad for me. No more biriyani and fried chicken for me.

Shopping? It would have to be done on foot. Get down in the shopping area and walk to the different shops. Use the staircase instead of the elevator.

If I expected instant results I was to be absolutely disappointed. It's easy to put on weight. Taking it off is a totally different ball game. It took me two years to come back to an acceptable weight again.

And here I am!! Porky had un-porked herself!

S. Vijayalakshmi