Before the Covid pandemic, it was common for the Indonesian government to set several days before and/or after the Eid-ul-Fitr as days of collective leave. It was meant to allow civil servants ample opportunity to return to their home towns and celebrate the Eid with their extended families. Most organizations and companies followed this example, and Eid became a two-week-long holiday for most of the country. I said ‘most’ because most people working in hospitality, transportation, and retail industries still must attend to their duties.
The tradition was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 in fear of Covid’s outspread. Since the more significant part of the population has received at least the first vaccines and over 90% of the people are believed to have developed immunity, the government decided to lift the travel ban this Eid and set collective leave dates once again. Hence the holiday was extended until one week after.
This presents a unique challenge for the dieting Indonesians. Long holidays mean gatherings with families and friends. There will not be gatherings without delicious, mouth-watering food. If you’ve been to Indonesia, you know the real and present danger of dieting during the Eid. It was already difficult during the official Hari Raya. With the extra week, the temptation to toss the good eating habit aside was looming.
We do not celebrate the Eid, but those were nevertheless the days of family gathering, eating, drinking, relaxing, binge-watching, and sleeping. We had big breakfasts and even bigger meals for lunch and dinner.
Thank goodness despite all that, my weight was still under control, although I could not say the same about the 1kg per week weight loss target. My last result on May 3, 2022, was 89.85 kg (198.08 lbs). These are my results the week after:
| Item | Measurement, May 10, 2022 | Measurement, January 24, 2022 | Healthy Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight1 | 88.45 kg (194.99 lbs) | 98.7 Kg (217.6 lbs) | 55.3-68.0 kg (121.9-149.9 lbs) |
| BMI2 | 32.4 (Obese) | 36.2 (Obese) | 18.5-24.9 |
| Waist (circumference)3 | 111.0 cm (43.70 in) | 122 cm (48.03 in) | < 102 cm (40 in) |
| Hip (circumference)3 | 113.5 cm (44.68 in) | 120 cm (47.24 in) | |
| Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) | 0.97 | 1.01 | < 0.9 |
| Blood Pressure4 (Systolic/Diastolic) | 125 mmHg/ 75 mmHg | 137mmHg/ 95 mmHg | 110/70 mmHg- 145/90 mmHg |
Here are the additional measurements:
| Item | Measurement, May 3, 2022 | Measurement, February 5, 2022 | Healthy Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Fat | 33.0% | 36% | 17.5%-20.6% (Good)4 |
| Visceral Fat Level | 16 | 17 | <13 |
I’m surprised (and pleased) myself. Based on my notes during the week between May 3 and 10, I stuck on my eating window, which I kept between 8-10 hours, and avoided eating anything once the window was closed. My calorie intake was between a deficit of 230 calories, to an excess of 393 calories. I managed to run 2-3 km per day, which I think helped in keeping the calories at bay. Also, I stayed in my room most evenings so I wouldn’t see it when my family had McDonald’s delivered for dinner.
If you will it, you can persevere through a time of great temptation.
Life At Slow-Mo 
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