Polycystic Ovary Disorder (popularly known as PCOD) is one of the most common hormonal disorder that women of reproductive age suffer from. It causes enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges–a relatively common disorder which results in a number of symptoms such as disruptions in the menstrual cycle and lack of ovulation, among others. Almost 1 out of 10 women are diagnosed with PCOD globally and it affects approximately 10 million women across the globe.
While there is no prescribed cure as such, PCOD treatment primarily consists of bringing about significant changes in one’s lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet and regularly exercising. While most people opt to hit the gym, 28-year-old singer Aneesha Dass decided it was too boring for her. So, she turned to football when PCOD came knocking at her door.
In a conversation with Health Shots, Aneesha revealed that she had put on a lot of weight because of her lifestyle, which eventually led to more serious health issues. “I was falling sick over and over again. My immunity had gone for a toss and I was also diagnosed with PCOD,” she said. Her doctor advised her to start exercising as much as she could.
She joined a gym, but soon started finding the routine boring. A childhood friend, who owns Kica Women’s Football League, steered her towards the sport. Aneesha decided to give it shot–and that, my friends, was the beginning of how football revolutionised her idea of staying fit.
Aneesha started her career as a counsellor at a school–where she would often stay back after work and watch kids play football. She said, “I used to have so much fun playing with those kids, but at the same time, I was losing kilos. I don’t see any better deal than this.” Her friend, Aneesha Labroo, also inducted into the Kica Women’s Football League.
Aneesha told Health Shots, “I was awful when I started. But I was enjoying it to the fullest and I think that’s important. There was a sense of healthy competition, along with cardio, so I was sorted.”
The singer turned footballer also credited the sport for acquainting her with a sense of unexplored mindfulness. A grateful Aneesha said, “Before football, I never knew that I was mentally and physically this strong.”
Isn’t that inspirational? Being a woman, if there’s one thing we take for granted it’s our health. While most of us complain about weight gain and the health issues that follow, we do very little about it. Here’s a real-life story to get you motivated to give healthy living a shot.
Featured Image: Instagram