'I can do it!';  Marsha Handyman's account of how she turned her most daunting fear into life-changing strength

After suffering from appendicitis, Bina feared she’d only end up spending more time in hospitals later in life if she kept gaining weight. “I said, ‘OK, even if it [appendicitis] isn't fatal, this weight will one day be!’ ” she says.

Staying positive was her secret to success. An optimist at heart, Bina’s sunny attitude helped her to begin her routine of measuring what she ate and exercising diligently.

"I couldnt sleep properly at night because my body would pain like anything! I thought those were the signs that my regimen was paying off until one day, I was exercising in the basement of my house when my friend, who is a certified fitness trainer herself, cautioned me that my exercise postures were wrong, and that I should join a gym to receive professional guidance. She recommended me Squat n Lash, which was 1.5km down the road. Commute wasn't easy and I would skip gym sessions for the first two weeks. But my personal trainer was an absolute darling, and soon I started to make friends at the gym too. A month down, I would look forward to the next day's gym session. ", Bina narrated.

“While I’m exercising, I’m telling myself, ‘You can do it, you’re powerful, you’re bright, you’re amazing,’ and then my body would follow,” she says.

Bina is a mother of two beautiful sons and prefers staying at home over working to observe and nourish her growing kids, while her husband is a senior auditor by profession. Bina has recovered from appendicitis too and lives an active life now. They are one happy family!