I Gained 10kg in 6 Months — and This Is What I Learned | by Nalda Look | Aug, 2025

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I never thought I could gain 10kg in six months — until I started working in advertising.

I’ve always had a slim body type. I never weighed more than 50kg, no matter how much I ate. I snacked a lot, enjoyed my meals, and never gave a second thought to weight gain.

Then came a new phase: I started working at a media agency and moved out of my parents’ home into a rented room.

The Shift in Routine

Living alone brought freedom — but also new habits. Late nights working on campaigns, irregular sleep, little movement, and worst of all: midnight snacking.

Over the course of six months, I gained 10kg.

I was shocked — but not entirely upset. I actually like how I look now. I appear fuller, healthier, and people say I look more berisi (a nice Indonesian way to say “well-fed”).

A Wake-Up Call from My Knees

But here’s the thing: I’m only 29, and my knees are already protesting.

Sometimes, just after sitting down for a while, I feel sudden pressure or pain in my knees. That’s when it hit me — if I keep living like this, it won’t just be about how I look. It’ll affect how I feel and move.

Food Temptations I Couldn’t Resist

To be fair, Indonesian food is dangerously delicious.

Here are a few dishes that didn’t help my situation (but were absolutely worth it):

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Gabin — A snack made of mashed fermented cassava (tapai) sandwiched between two crispy crackers
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Sate Padang — Beef satay covered in a thick, flavorful yellow sauce
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Capcay — Stir-fried mixed vegetables, originally from China

How could I say no to those?

Moving Forward: Balance Over Fear

This isn’t a post about dieting or body shaming. It’s a self-reminder: I want to stay active, strong, and pain-free — not just now, but when I become that cool, independent grandma someday.

So, here’s to eating mindfully, moving more, and taking care of this body that carries me through life.

Because I’d rather my knees not complain when I’m just 29.

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